By Mary Kathryn Kight

Mississippi State University

STARKVILLE — Vision 2030, a collaborative roadmap for the future of agriculture and forestry in Mississippi, is under construction.

Representatives from the sectors of specialty and commercial crops, forestry and natural resources, livestock and rural communities had an initial meeting this summer at Mississippi State University to share their ideas and identify growth opportunities.

“The tremendous optimism of everyone involved in the initial brainstorming session really stood out to me,” said Joe Fratesi, assistant director of the Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development at MSU who led the workshop to kick-off Vision 2030. “Sometimes when you get together in groups for these feedback sessions, there can be a tendency to focus on the negative, but that wasn’t the case with these stakeholders. They were ready, willing and able to work together, and I think that’s going to be critical as we move forward.”

Key themes emerged during the workshop emphasizing Mississippi‘s strong agricultural foundation supported by abundant natural resources, a favorable political and economic environment and robust educational institutions. The discussions also underscored challenges such as labor shortages, regulatory burdens and the need for infrastructure improvements, particularly in rural areas.

To tackle these challenges and capitalize on identified opportunities, the Vision 2030 steering committee, which consists of leadership from MSU and multiple organizations across the state, has established three specialized task forces focused on specialty crops, artificial intelligence and population growth and resilience. In addition, the steering committee has commissioned a value-added leakage study to identify gaps and uncover opportunities to ensure the wealth generated from the state’s natural resources benefits Mississippi communities.

This fall, a group will travel to an out-of-state cross, laminated timber, or CLT, production facility to learn more about bringing the industry to the Magnolia State. CLT is a sustainable building material formed by layering lumber and can be an affordable alternative to masonry, concrete or steel in the construction of larger buildings.

Mississippi Forestry Association President Casey Anderson said with 62% of the state covered in trees, there is plenty of room for industry growth.

“We are hopeful that cross-laminated timber will gain momentum in the Southeast, just as it has in the Pacific Northwest,” said Anderson. “Adequate markets create higher demand for wood, which means landowners have greater incentives to manage their timber following best management practices. This would result in trees being cut in a more timely manner, and the state would see overall healthier forests.”

Anderson added that the Forestry Association has collaborated with the MSU School of Architecture for nearly a decade to educate students on the possibilities and benefits of using mass timber in architectural designs. CLT is an area in which the MSU Forest and Wildlife Research Center has invested in research efforts for nearly a decade. One study examines how damp environments affect the performance of the adhesive used to create CLT.

“Together, we are building a future that is innovative, sustainable and resilient,” said Keith Coble, MSU vice president of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine. “Vision 2030 is not just a plan—it’s our shared commitment to a better tomorrow for Mississippi, ensuring that our agricultural and forestry sectors continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.