The Greening of Louisiana's Economy: the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing
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Increasing Employment in Mississippi The Greening of Mississippi’s Economy: the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting Sector August 2011 greenjobs.mdes.ms.gov In 2009, Mississippi and Louisiana partnered to research economic development opportunities and workforce needs associated with the region’s green economy. Through a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, a consortium of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Mississippi State University, Louisiana Workforce Commission, and Louisiana State University conducted an extensive study of economic activity that is beneficial to the environment. This and other research products were developed as part of that effort. “This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.” Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities: TTY 800-582-2233 i Table of Contents Description of Sector ....................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction to the Green Component of the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting Sector .... 2 Green Goods and Services ................................................................................................................ 3 Renewable Energy ........................................................................................................................ 3 Feedstocks for Renewable Fuels: Woody Crops ........................................................................ 5 Feedstocks for Renewable Fuels: Corn ...................................................................................... 5 Combined Heat and Power: Bagasse and Wood Residues ......................................................... 6 On-site Renewable Energy Production: Biogas and Poultry Litter ............................................. 6 Energy Efficiency .......................................................................................................................... 7 Greenhouse Gas Reduction .......................................................................................................... 7 Pollution Prevention and Clean-up .............................................................................................. 8 Recycling and Waste Reduction ................................................................................................... 8 Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation and Coastal Restoration ........................ 8 Education, Compliance, Public Awareness and Training .............................................................. 9 Green Business Practices .................................................................................................................. 9 Renewable Energy ...................................................................................................................... 10 Energy Efficiency ........................................................................................................................ 10 Greenhouse Gas Reduction ........................................................................................................ 11 Pollution Prevention and Clean-up ............................................................................................ 12 Recycling and Waste Reduction ................................................................................................. 13 Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation and Coastal Restoration ..................... 13 Education, Compliance, Public Awareness and Training ............................................................ 14 Economic Factors ........................................................................................................................... 15 Public Policy .................................................................................................................................. 16 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant Program ................................ 16 The Biomass Crop Assistance Program ................................................................................... 16 The Renewable Fuel Standard ................................................................................................. 17 The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Export Initiative .............................................. 18 ii Other Legislation .................................................................................................................... 19 Technology .................................................................................................................................... 20 Job Growth and Workforce Development ...................................................................................... 21 Key Players ..................................................................................................................................... 23 Notes ............................................................................................................................................. 25 iii Description of Sector The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) describes the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector, NAICS 11, as establishments involved in the production of crops, the raising or harvesting of animals from either farms or their natural habitat and the harvesting of timber. Establishments in this sector consist primarily of farms, ranches, dairies, nurseries and greenhouses. This sector also includes agricultural support activities, which may perform one or more farm-related activities on a contract basis. Agricultural research and conservation efforts, however, are not included in this sector.1 Reported employment figures for this sector reflect the state of Mississippi’s distinction between “farm” and “nonfarm” employment. All agricultural operations employing fewer than ten individuals will be deemed “farm” employment and are excluded from accounting by the unemployment system. However, farming operations employing ten or more individuals will be included in reports of “nonfarm” employment. Employment figures used for this research effort exclusively rely on nonfarm figures. In Mississippi, this sector employs 13,362 people representing 1.2 percent of total nonfarm employment.2 In 2009, the private entities in this sector were responsible for $1,819 million, or 1.9 percent, of Mississippi’s gross state product.3 The Mississippi Green Jobs Survey was conducted during the third and fourth quarters of 2010 as part of this research effort to quantify and characterize the green economy in Mississippi. The survey provides a baseline measure of green employment. The survey results show an estimated 17,360 primary green jobsa in Mississippi across all sectors, which represent 1.6 percent of Mississippi’s nonfarm employment. An estimated 32,300 support green jobsb raises the total number of jobs involved in green activity categories to 49,660 jobs or 4.6 percent of nonfarm employment. The survey found that Mississippi’s Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector accounted for 2,197 primary green jobs and 624 support green jobs. These survey results reveal that 21.1 percent of jobs in the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector are green with 16.4 percent primary green jobs and 4.7 percent support green jobs. a A primary green job is defined as one where more than 50 percent of an employee’s time is devoted to one of the seven green activity categories: renewable energy; energy efficiency; greenhouse gas reduction; pollution reduction and clean- up; recycling and waste reduction; sustainable agriculture, natural resource conservation and coastal restoration; and education, compliance, public awareness and training supporting the other categories. b Support green jobs are defined as those essential to an organization’s involvement in one of the activity categories, but not requiring more than 50 percent of an employee’s effort. 1 Introduction to the Green Component of the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting Sector The Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector is Mississippi’s largest according to the state’s Department of Agriculture and Commerce. It is a nearly $7 billion sector made up of 42,300 farms covering 11 million acres across all 82 counties. The state’s number one crop is poultry, producing meat and eggs from 817 million birds on 1,478 farms in 2010. Forestry is the state’s second largest agricultural area consuming 19,600,000 acres of state land. Soy, corn and cotton represent the third, fourth and fifth largest crops. Mississippi is also known for its rice, catfish, cattle, hay,