Mississippi Farmers Markets and Vendors
Selling direct at Mississippi farmers markets: certified markets in Jackson, Hernando and Oxford, nutrition checks, SNAP, cottage food, sales tax and grants. Updated Oct. 26, 2026.
See Finance and Grants for all 49 programs.
🧺 Programs that help you sell
Programs for stands, vendors and markets.
How to read the cards
Open each card’s The strings attached to see ownership, repayment, match, taxes and reporting. Every card links to the official page and shows the date we checked it.
Certified Farmers Market Program
Run by MDAC
- Pays for
- State certification for farmers markets. 36 certified markets in FY2025.
- Amount
- Not a cash program. MDAC lists free membership.
- Who qualifies
- Farmers markets in Mississippi.
- Deadline or status
- Annual recertification by May 15 (MDAC). Markets can still be certified after May 15, but may miss some promotions.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: None.
- Taxes: Sales of food products grown, made or processed in Mississippi and sold from MDAC-certified farmers markets are exempt from Mississippi sales tax (DOR).
- Reporting: Market rules set by MDAC.
- Read the MDAC Certified Farmers Markets page.
- Send the membership application to MDAC Market Development, (601) 359-1140.
- Follow the permit checklist.
MDAC Certified Farmers MarketsMarket permit checklist (PDF)
Source: MDAC Certified Farmers Markets; MDAC Annual Report FY2025; MS DOR exemptions. Checked Report downloaded Sept. 27, 2026. Read again Oct. 26, 2026.
Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Farmer Sign-Up
Run by MDAC with USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA, formerly FNS) money
- Pays for
- Lets you accept FMNP benefits from WIC families and seniors for fresh produce you grow.
- Amount
- WIC $30 per person. Senior $40 per person.
- Who qualifies
- Bona fide growers selling what they grow. Training every 3 years.
- Deadline or status
- Senior 2026 applications closed. MDAC says check in January 2027. Farmer sign-up dates NOT CONFIRMED.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: None.
- Taxes: Payments for FMNP sales are sales income. Ask a tax preparer.
- Reporting: Farmer application, agreement and crop plan.
- Attend MDAC FMNP farmer training.
- Fill out the farmer application, agreement and crop plan.
- Call Purvie Green, (601) 576-3667, Purvie@mdac.ms.gov.
Source: MDAC FMNP; FNA WIC FMNP; FNA Senior FMNP. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
SNAP Authorization for Farmers and Markets
Run by USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA, formerly FNS)
- Pays for
- Lets you accept SNAP at your stand or market.
- Amount
- Not a grant. You are paid for SNAP sales.
- Who qualifies
- Farmers, farmers markets and direct sellers.
- Deadline or status
- Apply any time.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: None.
- Taxes: Sales are business income.
- Reporting: Follow SNAP retailer rules.
- Read the FNA farmers market page.
- Apply online for SNAP authorization.
- Questions: 1-877-823-4369.
FNA SNAP at farmers marketsFNA SNAP retailers
Source: FNA SNAP farmers markets; FNA SNAP retailer. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Grants
Run by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
- Pays for
- Extra dollars for SNAP shoppers to buy fruits and vegetables, and produce prescriptions.
- Amount
- See the notice.
- Who qualifies
- Organizations. Markets can partner with them.
- Deadline or status
- Next deadline NOT CONFIRMED.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: See the notice.
- Taxes: Grants usually count as income. Ask a tax preparer. NOT CONFIRMED.
- Reporting: Grant reports.
- Partner with a nonprofit or market group.
- Read the GusNIP notice.
- Apply through NIFA.
Source: NIFA GusNIP. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
Genuine MS
Run by MDAC
- Pays for
- State brand for products grown, raised, crafted or made in Mississippi. 320 members (FY2025).
- Amount
- Not a cash program.
- Who qualifies
- Mississippi producers and makers.
- Deadline or status
- Membership rules and fees NOT CONFIRMED.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: NOT CONFIRMED.
- Taxes: Not a payment.
- Reporting: Per MDAC.
- Go to GenuineMS.com.
- Read member rules.
- Apply as MDAC directs.
Source: MDAC Annual Report FY2025. Checked Report downloaded Sept. 27, 2026. Read again Oct. 26, 2026.
Agritourism Registration
Run by MDAC
- Pays for
- Liability protection under state law for registered agritourism farms. 103 registered (FY2025). HB 1295 (2025) added protections.
- Amount
- Not a cash program.
- Who qualifies
- Farms that host visitors: u-pick, tours, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms.
- Deadline or status
- Register per MDAC.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: None.
- Taxes: Not a payment.
- Reporting: Per MDAC.
- Call MDAC for the registration form.
- Meet sign and posting rules.
- Renew as required.
Sign rules and renewal: NOT CONFIRMED.
Source: MDAC Annual Report FY2025. Checked Report downloaded Sept. 27, 2026. Read again Oct. 26, 2026.
Mississippi Farm Sales Tax Exemptions
Run by Mississippi Department of Revenue
- Pays for
- No sales tax on seed, feed, fertilizer, farm chemicals and baby chicks used to grow products for market, on livestock, and on farm products (not ornamental plants) sold by the grower (not from an established place of business). Food products grown, made or processed in Mississippi and sold from MDAC-certified farmers markets are exempt.
- Amount
- Saves the 7% state sales tax on listed items.
- Who qualifies
- Farmers buying or selling listed items.
- Deadline or status
- Always in effect.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: None.
- Taxes: This lowers or removes sales tax when you buy or sell. It is not a payment.
- Reporting: Keep receipts.
- Read the DOR exemption list.
- Tell the seller the item is for farm use.
- Keep records.
Source: MS DOR exemptions (Miss. Code 27-65-103). Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
📈 Grants and loans to grow a market or food business
Some of these are for markets, groups or local governments, not single vendors. Read who qualifies.
- AMS grants (FMPP and LFPP) apply on Grants.gov. Windows open once a year. Next window: see the card.
How to read the cards
Open each card’s The strings attached to see ownership, repayment, match, taxes and reporting. Every card links to the official page and shows the date we checked it.
Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)
Run by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
- Pays for
- Projects that grow farmers markets, CSAs, roadside stands and direct sales.
- Amount
- Capacity Building $50,000 to $250,000. Training and Technical Assistance $100,000 to $500,000. Turnkey $50,000 to $100,000.
- Who qualifies
- Ag businesses, co-ops, CSA networks, market groups, nonprofits, local governments and others.
- Deadline or status
- FY2026 due June 5, 2026 (closed). Next: NOT CONFIRMED.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: You must add a cost share equal to 25% of the federal grant amount (AMS).
- Taxes: Grants usually count as income. Ask a tax preparer. NOT CONFIRMED.
- Reporting: Grant reports.
- Register on SAM.gov and Grants.gov now.
- Read the next FMPP notice.
- Apply by the deadline.
Source: AMS FMPP. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)
Run by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
- Pays for
- Local food businesses that process, distribute, gather or store local food.
- Amount
- Planning $25,000 to $100,000. Implementation $100,000 to $500,000. Turnkey $50,000 to $100,000.
- Who qualifies
- Ag businesses, co-ops, nonprofits and others.
- Deadline or status
- FY2026 due June 5, 2026 (closed). Next: NOT CONFIRMED.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: You must add a cost share equal to 25% of the federal grant amount (AMS).
- Taxes: Grants usually count as income. Ask a tax preparer. NOT CONFIRMED.
- Reporting: Grant reports.
- Register on SAM.gov and Grants.gov.
- Read the next LFPP notice.
- Apply by the deadline.
Source: AMS LFPP. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBGP), Mississippi
Run by MDAC with USDA AMS money
- Pays for
- Projects that help fruits, vegetables, tree nuts (like pecans), dried fruit, nursery and flowers.
- Amount
- Per project. FY2025: MDAC listed $422,993.37 for 8 projects.
- Who qualifies
- Groups and individuals apply to MDAC, not USDA. Projects must help the specialty crop industry.
- Deadline or status
- FY2026 applications were due April 1, 2026, 5 p.m. CST. Next: NOT CONFIRMED.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: NOT CONFIRMED.
- Taxes: Ask a tax preparer.
- Reporting: Grant reports to MDAC.
- Read the next MDAC request for proposals.
- Call Michael Lasseter, (601) 359-1120, MichaelL@mdac.ms.gov.
- Submit to MDAC by the deadline.
Source: MDAC SCBGP; USDA AMS SCBGP; MDAC Annual Report FY2025. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI), Mississippi
Run by MDAC with USDA AMS money
- Pays for
- Equipment and buildings for processing, storage and aggregation.
- Amount
- $6,235,682.34 obligated to MDAC (USAspending). AMS data lists 45 Mississippi projects totaling $5,118,118.
- Who qualifies
- Round is over. See who got awards in the AMS data file.
- Deadline or status
- MDAC deadline was March 15, 2024. AMS lists Mississippi as Awarded. New round NOT CONFIRMED.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: NOT CONFIRMED here.
- Taxes: Grants usually count as income. Ask a tax preparer. NOT CONFIRMED.
- Reporting: Reimbursement: you pay first. MDAC reported $2,176,503.63 reimbursed in FY2025.
- The Mississippi round is closed.
- See recipients in the AMS data file.
- Watch the AMS RFSI page for news.
AMS RFSIAMS RFSI statusAMS recipient data (Excel)
Project counts differ: AMS data 45, AMS state profile 46, MDAC report 49 (42 plus 7).
Source: AMS RFSI status; AMS recipient data; MDAC Annual Report FY2025. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)
Run by USDA Rural Development
- Pays for
- Planning or working capital to make and sell value-added products.
- Amount
- Planning up to $50,000. Working capital up to $200,000.
- Who qualifies
- Independent producers and producer groups. SAM.gov registration needed.
- Deadline or status
- Last window Feb. 17 to April 22, 2026. Next: NOT CONFIRMED.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: 1 to 1 match.
- Taxes: Grants usually count as income. Ask a tax preparer. NOT CONFIRMED.
- Reporting: Grant reports.
- Register on SAM.gov.
- Call MS Rural Development (LaCari Mosley, 601-965-5457).
- Apply when the next window opens.
Source: RD VAPG. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC)
Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
- Pays for
- Part of the cost of getting or renewing a food safety certificate.
- Amount
- 2025 rates: 75% of eligible costs, with caps ($675 plan upkeep, $2,000 certification, $375 upload fees, up to 5 tests), and 100% of training up to $500. 2026 rates: NOT CONFIRMED.
- Who qualifies
- Small (sales up to $500,000) and medium ($500,001 to $1,000,000) specialty crop operations.
- Deadline or status
- 2025 window ended Jan. 31, 2026. 2026 window: NOT CONFIRMED.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: You pay the part not covered.
- Taxes: Counts as income in most cases. IRS says most government farm payments go on Schedule F (IRS Pub. 225).
- Reporting: Proof of certificate and paid costs.
- Keep your certificate and paid receipts.
- Watch farmers.gov and your FSA office for any new window. Next window NOT CONFIRMED.
- Apply at your USDA Service Center.
FSCSC (farmers.gov, archived page)
The FSA page now goes to an archived farmers.gov page. The 2025 rates are shown. 2026 program and rates: NOT CONFIRMED.
Source: FSCSC (farmers.gov, archived page); IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
GAP/GHP Audit Cost-Share
Run by MDAC
- Pays for
- Food safety (GAP/GHP) audit costs.
- Amount
- 75% of cost, up to $750 (FY2025 report).
- Who qualifies
- Mississippi specialty crop growers.
- Deadline or status
- Current status: NOT CONFIRMED. Ask MDAC.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: You pay 25% and anything over $750.
- Taxes: Counts as income in most cases. IRS says most government farm payments go on Schedule F (IRS Pub. 225).
- Reporting: Proof of audit and payment.
- Call MDAC Market Development.
- Get your audit. Keep receipts.
- Send the reimbursement request to MDAC.
Source: MDAC Annual Report FY2025; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Report downloaded Sept. 27, 2026. Read again Oct. 26, 2026.
Operating Microloan
Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
- Pays for
- Startup and operating costs for small, beginning and niche farms.
- Amount
- Up to $50,000. Rate 5.375% (Oct. 1, 2026). 1 to 7 years.
- Who qualifies
- Beginning, small family and niche farms with good credit history.
- Deadline or status
- Apply any time at your FSA office.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No. You keep your farm.
- Repayment: Yes
- Match: None stated.
- Taxes: A loan is borrowed money you pay back with interest. How the loan and interest affect your taxes: ask a tax preparer. NOT CONFIRMED on this page.
- Reporting: Simpler paperwork than regular loans. Keep a farm plan.
- Get a farm number at your USDA Service Center.
- Fill out the microloan application with your farm plan.
- Turn it in to your local FSA office.
Microloans (FSA)FSA loan rates
Source: FSA Microloans; FSA loan rates. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm
Run by USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA)
- Pays for
- Insures total farm revenue under one policy. Fits mixed, specialty, organic and direct-market farms.
- Amount
- WFRP up to $17 million insured revenue. Micro Farm up to $350,000 (first year) or $400,000 (carryover). Micro Farm subsidy 80% at 50% to 75% coverage.
- Who qualifies
- Any farm, any county. Micro Farm does not cover timber or forest products.
- Deadline or status
- Sales closing date follows your tax year.
The strings attached
- Ownership: No.
- Repayment: No
- Match: You pay your share of the premium.
- Taxes: Crop insurance and crop disaster payments count as income (IRS Pub. 225).
- Reporting: Farm tax records set coverage.
- Gather your farm tax records (Schedule F).
- Find a crop insurance agent.
- Apply before the sales closing date.
WFRP (RMA)Micro Farm Q and A (RMA)Find an agent
Source: RMA WFRP; RMA Specialty Crops; RMA Micro Farm Q and A; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
🍪 Cottage food at a glance
Source: MSU Extension Publication 3286. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
| Question | Answer | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Make it in your home kitchen | Yes | Not in a shed, barn or commercial kitchen. |
| Foods that need a fridge | No | Meat, dairy, cooked vegetables, juice and low-acid canned foods are not allowed. |
| Sell at a farmers market or from home | Yes | Sell straight to the final customer. |
| Sell online or ship | No | You may advertise online. You may not sell or ship online. |
| Sell to stores or restaurants | No | Final customer only. |
| Yearly sales limit | $35,000 | Gross sales, per year. |
| Label | Required | Name, address, product, ingredients, allergens, net weight, and the cottage food statement. |
📍 Certified farmers markets in Jackson, Hernando and Oxford
MDAC listed each market below as a Mississippi Certified Farmers Market in its July 2, 2026 release. See the full MDAC list by county (PDF). Hours change by season, so check with the market before you go. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.
| Town | Market | Where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson (Hinds County) | Mississippi Farmers Market (MDAC) | 929 High Street, Jackson, MS 39202. Phone (601) 354-6573. | MDAC Mississippi Farmers Market |
| Hernando (DeSoto County) | Hernando Farmers Market | Days and vendor rules on the city site. | City of Hernando |
| Oxford (Lafayette County) | Oxford Community Market | Old Armory Pavilion, 1801 University Ave., Oxford, MS. | Oxford Community Market |
✅ Vendor checklist
- Decide what you sell: raw produce, cottage food, meat or eggs. Each has different rules.
- Ask your market manager for its vendor rules.
- Check if your market is MDAC certified (see the Certified Farmers Market card).
- Want to take SNAP? Apply to USDA FNA, formerly FNS (see the SNAP card).
- Want to take WIC or Senior FMNP checks? Ask MDAC (see the FMNP card).
- Cottage food? Read MSU Extension Publication 3286 and use the label rules.
- Check sales tax with the MS Dept. of Revenue.
- Check with your city or county about local business licenses. MSU Extension says some places require them.
Nothing on this page is legal, tax or financial advice. Check every deadline and condition with the agency before you rely on it. See our Corrections Policy. Got a fix or a record? Send a tip.
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