EPA’s New Region 4 Administrator Stops at Madison County’s Sumrall Farms, Wants to Hear from Agriculture
Family owned and operated since the early 60s, if you want fresh produce in the area, you come to Sumrall Farms in Madison County. On this day, plenty of folks lined up for sweet corn. But despite the delicious vegetables, on this day, local media was on the farm to hear from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 4 Administrator Kevin McOmber.
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation and the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce worked together to bring Administrator McOmber to the state and specifically to Sumrall Farms.
“It’s fantastic. He gets a chance to come out and talk to some of our small family farms that are doing a fantastic job growing the produce we eat here every day,” said Mike McCormick, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President.
Region 4 is the EPA’s largest region, covering nine southeastern states.
“They have a work ethic that’s inspiring, and I certainly am on board with that,” said McObmer. “We’re looking to get some things done through the farmers in the southeast, which is the region that I represent. So, it’s certainly great to be here.”
For family operations like Sumrall’s, this visit shows the EPA, the Administrator, even the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Gipson wants to hear about the needs of farmers.
“It shows they care about you,” said Jerry Sumrall, Sumrall Farms. “We’ve been here farming a long time and most of the commissioners you never see them, and then EPA, we maybe hear something negative, but, for them to come out and be willing to help means a lot.”
This visit over the next several days also gives Farm Bureau an opportunity to form relationships with the new administration.
“He’s gotten to hear some of their concerns of about what they need to be successful, but mainly it’s good to build a relationship with these guys,” said McCormick. “They’re not here to attack the farmers in anyway. They’ve got a job to do. Farmers are doing a good job. We just have to tell our story, and we brought him to a good place to do that today.”