Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson is the host of the newly launched podcast to promote the state’s agricultural branding program, Genuine MS.

Gipson kicked off the Genuine MS podcast series with an introductory episode featuring special guests Paige Manning, Market Development Director at the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, and Don van de Werken, a tea grower from Pearl River Tea Company in Poplarville. Gipson and van de Werken discuss tea production, an agricultural crop that many are not aware is grown in Mississippi, and provide insights into the Mississippi blueberry industry.

“I am very excited to host the new Genuine MS podcast,” Gipson stated. “The podcast gives us the opportunity to spotlight some of talented farmers and entrepreneurs who are providing the state and the globe with products grown, raised, crafted, and made right here in our state, and it allows us to showcase how they are contributing to our state’s economy. We want everyone in Mississippi, both producers and consumers, to benefit from the advantages of the Genuine MS program. This podcast helps to accomplish this.”

In a conversational format, each podcast episode will feature Genuine MS farmers, ranchers, crafters, and manufacturers as they tell the stories behind their farms, businesses, and the unique products they offer. The podcast can be conveniently accessed on the Genuine MS website, Soundcloud, Stitcher and iTunes. Episodes will be updated weekly throughout the summer.