Agriculture in Mississippi
ZIP codes in our Mississippi data
USDA hardiness zones present
Agriculture is one of Mississippi's largest industries and a cornerstone of its rural economy, supporting farms, poultry operations, catfish ponds, and timberland across the state. From the fertile Delta in the northwest to the piney woods of the south, farming and forestry shape both the landscape and the livelihoods of many residents. For growers and gardeners, the state's warm, moist climate and long season open the door to a wide range of crops.
Farming in Mississippi
Poultry, especially broiler chickens, is consistently among Mississippi's leading farm commodities, followed closely by forestry and timber products harvested from the state's extensive pine and hardwood forests. The Mississippi Delta is known for row crops such as soybeans, cotton, corn, and rice grown on its rich alluvial soils. Mississippi is also the nation's leading producer of farm-raised catfish, with aquaculture ponds concentrated in the Delta region. Cattle, sweet potatoes, and hay round out a diverse mix of commodities produced across the state.
Climate and growing conditions
Mississippi has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers, mild winters, and generous rainfall spread through much of the year. The growing season is long, commonly running from around 200 days in the north to well over 250 days along the Gulf Coast, which supports both spring and fall gardening. USDA hardiness zones range from about 7b in the northern counties to 8b across most of the state and up to 9a near the coast.
Major agricultural products
- Broilers and poultry
- Soybeans
- Cotton
- Corn
- Farm-raised catfish
- Timber and forestry products
- Cattle
- Sweet potatoes
Hardiness zones in Mississippi
Growers in Mississippi fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in Mississippi
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in Mississippi
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (83 counties):
Market prices & data for Mississippi
State overviews combine hardiness-zone data from our ZIP database with public USDA market reports and NOAA climate normals. For farm-level decisions, consult your state's Cooperative Extension service. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.