Effective July 1, the sweet potato will become the official vegetable of Mississippi following the recent signing of Senate House Bill 2383 by Governor Tate Reeves. The designation recognizes the crop's significance to the state's agriculture sector and food culture.
© MSU
Lorin Harvey, a sweet potato specialist at Mississippi State University (MSU) and assistant professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, noted that the vegetable plays an important role in local agriculture due to its nutritional value, versatility, and economic contribution.
Sweet potatoes are classified as a specialty crop and generate approximately $82 million annually in Mississippi, according to MSU agriculture economist Will Maples. Although this is modest compared to the state's soybean and corn output, Mississippi ranks third in national sweet potato production, following North Carolina and California. The state also holds the third-highest number of sweet potato farms, with 156 operations.
The majority of Mississippi's production centers around the orange-fleshed Beauregard variety, cultivated on an estimated 28,000 to 30,000 acres each year. The town of Vardaman, with a population of roughly 1,060, is regarded as the state's hub for sweet potato farming. Production in the area dates back to around 1915 and has benefited from a favorable climate and soil conditions.
Harvey attributes Vardaman's prominence to infrastructure development, including facilities for washing, packing, and long-term refrigerated storage, which have supported the crop's continued viability in the region.
Sweet potatoes are used in a wide range of culinary applications and can serve as substitutes for carrots, pumpkin, or other types of potatoes in various recipes. Harvey suggested that the new state recognition may help raise public awareness and potentially boost consumption, though the extent of this impact remains uncertain.
For more information:
Harriet Laird
Mississippi State University
Tel: +1 662 325 7460
Email: [email protected]
www.msstate.edu
