Backwater flood victim Victoria Darden is back in at MWF event

Andy Gipson is the Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Mississippi. His department is supporting the Mississippi Ag booth at the Mississippi Wildlife Federation’s Extravaganza this upcoming weekend.

Andy Gipson, Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Mississippi

He read about the plight of the Backwater Flood Victims and especially farmer and flood victim Victoria Darden. Saturday, after the Vicksburg Daily News broke the story of Darden being denied a booth (and voice) by Lindsey Lemmons with MWF, he invited Darden to be a part of the Mississippi Ag booth at the Extravaganza. According to Darden, Gipson “called and told me he was upset to hear we were denied and wanted to do something to make sure we had a chance to share our story.”

Victoria Darden at a media day event on July 27 in Valley Park.

Governor Phil Bryant also weighed in on the issue, citing the story from Vicksburg Daily News. The Governor said via his Twitter account: “I don’t understand why MWF won’t allow for this individual to educate others on the backwater flooding issues and the pumps that could have saved a large portion of Mississippi’s acreage and wildlife from devastating flooding. Very disturbing.”

“Now it is back to plan A,” she said. “Resume printing of everything and so forth. Make sure my shift schedule is in place as well.”

Gipson, a Republican, is up for election this year and is facing a challenge from Democrat Rickey Cole. Cole is well known in agriculture circles as a lifelong farmer, having taken over the family business from his father. Cole also spent many years as chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party.

Rickey Cole at an event in Warren County, June 2019.

Calls to Lindsey Lemmons with the MWF have not been returned or picked up after an initial call where she claimed bad reception.