Get to Know MCIA

• History
• Our Staff
• 2021 Board of Directors
• Bylaws

History

Cotton Crop

The Mississippi Seed Improvement Association was organized as the official seed-certifying agency and granted a charter in 1940 as a not-for-profit farmers cooperative.

In 1952, the state legislature passed Senate bill No. 274, which created an official seed-certifying agency for the state of Mississippi for the purpose of certifying seeds, plants and plant parts to ensure their quality, integrity and purity. The bill also authorized a state seed board that was empowered and directed to approve rules and standards set forth by the state seed certifying agency.

In 2002, the Mississippi Seed Improvement Association officially changed its name to the Mississippi Crop Improvement Association and was granted authority to provide certification of additional agricultural products.

The Mississippi Crop Improvement Association office is located on the campus of Mississippi State University. MCIA was housed in the old Depot on the MSU campus until moving to its current office at 773 Stone Boulevard.

Directors of the Mississippi Crop Improvement Association have been:

• John Oakley, 1940-1962
• Walker Guerry, 1962-1986
• Chester Milner, 1986-1998
• Bennie Keith, 1998-2018
• Greg Flint, 2018-Present

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Our Staff

• Greg Flint - Executive Secretary
• Todd Livingston - Chief Inspector
• Rita Chriswell - Office Manager

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2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• President – Mike Francis - Bayer
• Vice-President – Tim Walker – Horizon Ag
• Chris Hussey (1st - 3 yr term) 2023
  Representing certified seed growers; other than plant breeding firms
• Resigned (1st - 3 yr term) 2022
  Representing certified seed growers; other than plant breeding firms
• David Ellison (1st - 3 yr term) 2024
  Representing certified seed growers; other than plant breeding firms
• Tim Walker (1st - 3 yr term) 2023
  Representing Plant Breeding firms
• Mike Francis (2nd - 3 yr term) 2024
  Representing Plant Breeding firms
• Vice - Vice President of Division Ag.Forestry & Vet. Med.
  Mississippi State University representatives
• Louis Weeks (As Approved)
  Representing MS Seedsmen Association
• Cathy Booth (1st - 3 yr term) 2023
  Representing other Agricultural Products

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Bylaws

The purpose of this Association is to encourage the production, Certification, and the general use of Registered and Certified pure seed and other agriculture products of the best strains and varieties available throughout the state.

• MCIA Laws of Establishment and Bylaws (PDF)

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