Hometown Rankin - February & May 2015

Up For the Ride:
Cindy Hyde-Smith
- Erin Williams -
It’s that time of year again. The time when cowboys and cowgirls start coming from all over the nation
to head to Mississippi’s capital city for the annual Dixie National Rodeo. During the month of February,
the Dixie National Rodeo brings with it a variety of programs and activities that take place to educate,
entertain, and engage participants, and onlookers alike, about various livestock practices.
Although each year at the Dixie National is anything
but ordinary, 2015 brings with it yet another reason to
celebrate as it marks the rodeo’s 50th anniversary in the
Magnolia State. We were able to sit down with Mississippi’s
own Commissioner of Agriculture, Cindy Hyde-Smith,
to find out a little about her and what she has in store to
commemorate this year’s event.
Q In Mississippi, when discussing agriculture, there’s
no doubt that most everyone knows the name Cindy Hyde-
Smith. But for the newcomers, please tell us a little bit about
yourself.
Q It’s quite an accomplishment being the first
woman elected to serve as commissioner of agriculture
in Mississippi. Please tell us a little bit about your
decision to run.
A Because I was Chairman of Agriculture in the Senate,
I had a great relationship with all of the Ag groups in the
state. It really was not on my radar screen to seek this office,
but after the suggestion was made by some people that
I trusted, I began to pray about it and things worked out.
I can tell you that campaigning statewide is not for the faint
of heart.
A I am a very proud Mississippian. My husband Michael,
daughter Anna-Michael and I live on our cattle farm in
Brookhaven. Anna-Michael is a fifth-generation farmer. We
raise beef cattle and also work hard in our family business,
the Lincoln County Livestock Stockyard. We have held the
local weekly cattle auction since 1942. I also enjoy watching
my daughter’s basketball games and horse shows. Recently
we spent quality time together in a deer stand. I am always
a mom first.
I served in the Mississippi State Legislature for 12 years,
serving eight of those years as Chairman of the Agriculture
Committee in the Senate. I am very honored to currently
serve as the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce
for this great state.
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