About MSP
The Multi-State Partnership for Security in Agriculture is a collaborative effort among state animal health and agricultural emergency programs and other stakeholders to share information and resources for the common goal of protecting and promoting food and agriculture security.
Formed in 2004, the MSP began as a group of Midwestern states working together to share information and access resources to enhance agricultural emergency preparedness, collaborate on preparing for and responding to threats to agriculture and coordinating efforts among all levels of government; federal, state and local. Since then, the MSP has grown to include 19 states, federal partners, academic institutions and industry groups.
MSP members meet regularly to discuss current issues in agricultural emergency preparedness and response and hold annual in-person meetings.
Our Mission
The mission of the MSP is to protect the food and agriculture sector and enhance agriculture emergency preparedness and response initiatives through
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Collaboration
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Information sharing, and
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Preventing the duplication of efforts between states
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The member states have joined together to create the MSP to ensure that the United States’ agricultural system is secure, citizens are safe and the economy is strong. States participating in the MSP agree to coordinate with all levels of government on surveillance, preparation for, and response to threats to agriculture whether naturally occurring or intentionally introduced.
What are Agricultural Emergencies?
Agriculture is an important part of the U.S. economy, accounting for 5.5 percent of the U.S.’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ( Ag and Food Sectors and the Economy, USDA Economic Research Service updated 1/2/25)
Agricultural commodities such as livestock, produce and grains, are also important to providing food, fiber and other products to consumers and agriculture and associated industries provide for 10.4% of U.S. jobs. An event affecting the production or processing of agricultural commodities can result in a wide impact on the individuals, farms and businesses in the affected area and throughout the state, region and country.
Agricultural emergencies are incidents involving the agricultural community. These incidents can be naturally occurring, man-made, accidental or intentional. Whatever the cause, the impact on the agricultural community may be felt locally, regionally and nationally.
Agricultural emergencies include things such as:
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Invasive insect pests
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Invasive plants
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Emerging or reemerging animal diseases
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Supply chain disruptions
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Agricultural chemical spills
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Drought
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Wildfires
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Radiological releases
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Flooding
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Fish kills
[CE1]We should have some good photos for examples. Maybe a montage or something here?
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The Multi-State Partnership was formed as a way for states and partner organizations to collaborate on preparing for, responding to and recovering from agricultural emergencies by sharing resources, knowledge and experience.
Members
States
​Arizona Department of Agriculture
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Illinois Department of Agriculture
Indiana State Board of Animal Health
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Kansas Department of Agriculture
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Missouri Department of Agriculture
Nebraska Department of Agriculture
New Mexico Department of Agriculture
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
North Dakota Board of Animal Health
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
South Dakota Animal Industry Board
Texas Animal Health Commission
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Partner Organizations
State and federal agencies involved in emergency preparedness and response and involved in protecting agriculture, public health, and the food supply.
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
AVMA Committee on Animal Emergency Issues (CDEI)
Food and Agriculture Government Coordination Council
Iowa State University, Center for Food Security and Public Health
Kansas State University, National Agricultural Biosecurity Center
National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultureal Emergency Programs (NASAAEP)
National Pork Board
University of Kentucky
United States Department of Agriculture/ Animal and Plant Health Inspection Program Veterinary Services (USDA/APHIS/VS)
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Veterinary Services Training and Education Program (VS-NTEP)
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National Incident Preparation and Coordination (NIPC)​​​
Other Regional Alliances
Other states have formed alliances similar to the Multi-State Partnership to collaborate on food and agriculture preparedness and response issues. These groups are:
