AP Interview: Hyde-Smith will focus on jobs

JACKSON, Miss. -- Cindy Hyde-Smith wants to emphasize the "commerce" part of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

The Brookhaven Republican, sworn in Thursday as the state's first female agriculture commissioner, sees a chance to increase not only the quantity of food grown in Mississippi, but food processed in the state as well.

In addition to using her office as an economic development tool, she said she hopes to promote agritourism, make sure farmers have a voice in any state immigration legislation and improve revenue at the state fairgrounds.

Hyde-Smith is Mississippi's first female agriculture commissioner and one of two women in statewide office, along with new Treasurer Lynn Fitch. But she downplays the gender difference, joking that the state's gas pump inspection stickers will not be pink.

Source: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/01/07/3670627/ap-interview-hyde-smith-will-focus.html

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