Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (also sometimes referred to as the MDAC) is a government department of Mississippi, headquartered in Jackson. MDAC regulates agricultural-related businesses within Mississippi, as well as promotes Mississippi products throughout the world.^[1] To fulfill these goals, the department was created by the Mississippi Legislature in 1906.^[2]

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce abbreviates to MDAC. For all other references see MDAC.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce of Mississippi
Incumbent Andy Gipson since March 29, 2018
Term length	4 years
Formation	1906
First holder	Henry Edward Blakeslee
Website	mdac.ms.gov

The Commissioner of MDAC is an elected office. The position is contested every four years at the same time as the gubernatorial election.^[2] The commissioner regulates agriculture and aquaculture in the state and promotes their products.^[3]

Commissioners of Agriculture and Commerce, 1906–present

Agricultural Commissioners

No.	Agriculture Commissioner		Term in office	Party	Source
1		Henry Edward Blakeslee	1906 – 1916	Democratic	[4]
2		Peter Parley Garner	1916 – 1928	Democratic	[4]
3		J.C. Holton	1928 – 1940	Democratic	[4]
4		Silas Corley	1940 – 1968	Democratic	[4]
5		Jim Buck Ross	1968 – 1996	Democratic	[4][5]
6		Lester Spell	1996 – 2012	Democratic (1996 – 2005)	[4][6]
				Republican (2005 – 2012)
7		Cindy Hyde-Smith	2012 – 2018	Republican	[4]
8		Andy Gipson	2018 – present	Republican	[4]