June 12, 2026 Dear Friend,
Last week, I appreciated the opportunity to hear testimony from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins before the House Agriculture Committee. During the hearing, Secretary Rollins discussed the challenges facing America's farmers and outlined the Administration's efforts to strengthen our agricultural economy and rural communities.
President Trump continues to deliver much-needed relief for Mississippi farmers and is working to strengthen SNAP so benefits can reach those who truly need them. I will continue fighting for policies that provide farm country with the resources and support it needs to succeed.
[Watch my remarks]. |
Across Mississippi, hardworking farmers help feed our communities and provide families with access to fresh, locally grown food. Among them are Will and Amanda Reed, owners of Native Son Farm in Tupelo. Their dedication to agriculture has created a thriving farm and a strong community centered on healthy, locally produced food.
Will Reed's journey into farming began while living in California, where he developed an interest in sustainable agriculture and living off the land. In 2009, he returned home to Tupelo and began building what would become Native Son Farm. As a first-generation farmer, Will planted his first crop in Tupelo in 2010.
Today, Native Son Farm is a family operation run by Will and Amanda. Together, they cultivate 20 acres of mixed vegetables, fruits, and berries using high tunnels, cover crops, and other methods that eliminate the use of synthetic chemicals. The farm grows more than 50 varieties of beyond-organic crops, providing fresh produce to consumers 52 weeks a year.
In 2012, the Reeds expanded their operation by opening a farm stand where customers can purchase fresh produce, naturally fermented bread, baked goods, and take-and-bake meals prepared in the farm's full-time kitchen. The farm stand also serves as a marketplace for other local producers, offering products such as milk, cheese, pasture-raised meats, and more.
Native Son Farm employs 12 full-time staff members year-round and expands to 18 employees during the summer months. Some of those employees first discovered the farm as customers, a testament to the strong relationships the Reeds have built within their community.
For Will, one of the most rewarding aspects of farming is the opportunity to bring people together. "I love the community aspect," he said. "Connecting with people from all different backgrounds and finding common ground through our love of tomatoes." That sense of community extends through Native Son Farm's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, which serves several hundred families throughout the region.
Together, Will and Amanda are raising four daughters and one son on the farm. Native Son is making a big impact in Mississippi's First District, and we are grateful for the important work they do. |
Some of Mississippi's most successful small businesses begin with a simple idea and a lot of hard work. For Amanda Scott, that idea became Blue Magnolia Bread Co., an artisan sourdough bakery that has grown from a neighborhood hobby into a thriving family business.
Amanda's love for baking began at an early age while watching her grandmother cook. After her husband, Chuck, retired from the military in 2010, the family settled in Tupelo, where Amanda continued to pursue her passion in the kitchen.
What started as baking sourdough for friends and neighbors soon turned into "Tasty Tuesdays," with customers picking up fresh bread from her driveway. As demand grew, Amanda expanded to local farmers' markets in Tupelo, Saltillo, and Pontotoc, where her products sold out within the first hour. When she outgrew the market circuit, Amanda, Chuck, and their oldest daughter, Summer, took the next step and opened the first Blue Magnolia Bread Co. location in downtown Saltillo in October 2024.
Named for Amanda's Texas roots and Chuck's Mississippi heritage, Blue Magnolia Bread Co. quickly became a local favorite. Today, Amanda produces approximately 1,000 sourdough products each week, including a variety of sourdough loaves, pastries, cinnamon rolls, and hand-rolled bagels. The family also expanded into coffee, restoring a vintage 1986 Faema espresso machine, one of the oldest of this model still in operation.
As the business has grown, so has its impact. What began as a three-person operation now employs a team of 12, many of whom are college students trained by Amanda herself. "It's nice to pass my love of cooking down to someone else," she said. "I love them all very much." The bakery recently opened a second location in downtown New Albany and plans to expand further with a new location in the historic Tupelo Hardware building later this year.
Blue Magnolia Bread Co. has received numerous honors, including Mississippi Main Street's Entrepreneur of the Year and Best Creative awards, along with recognition for its coffee, customer service, and community involvement.
For Amanda, this bakery is about more than just baked goods. "I'm a huge people person," she said. "Getting to see all of our regulars every day, watching families grow, and connecting with people, that's the best part." Blue Magnolia Bread Co. has become a gathering place for the community, hosting celebrations, events, and family activities. Its slogan, "A Kneaded Hug in Every Bite," reflects the welcoming atmosphere Amanda and her team strive to create each day. "Food is love," she said. "That's what we try to share."
Businesses like Blue Magnolia Bread Co. are a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that helps Mississippi communities thrive. We are proud of Amanda, Chuck, and the entire Blue Magnolia team and wish them continued success in the years ahead. |
Team Kelly was honored to visit the 2026 BuildHER Construction Camp hosted by FORGE's Golden Triangle Chapter. The week-long camp provides young women ages 11-14 with hands-on experiences that introduce them to careers in construction and the skilled trades while building confidence and leadership skills.
This year, 16 campers were selected from 30 applicants representing six counties to participate in the program, held at East Mississippi Community College's Golden Triangle Campus. Throughout the week, campers worked alongside industry professionals and mentors while exploring a variety of trades, including electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, roofing, concrete, interior design, and heavy equipment operations. Participants also visited an active construction site and heard from women leaders in business and industry.
Now in its third year, BuildHER Camp continues to inspire young women to explore opportunities in construction and the skilled trades while helping address Mississippi's growing workforce needs. The program's impact is already evident, with returning campers and one former participant, now employed full-time in the trades, coming back to help mentor and lead this year's camp.
"The Golden Triangle Chapter's BuildHER Camp continues to create opportunities for young women to explore a career they may not have previously considered," said Melinda Lowe, Executive Director of FORGE. "We want every camper to leave knowing that she is capable of building, leading, and succeeding in whatever path she chooses."
We appreciate Melinda and the FORGE Golden Triangle Chapter for their commitment to investing in Mississippi's future workforce and creating opportunities for the next generation of skilled trade professionals. |
We are proud to welcome Erin Vasiloff as a summer intern in our Tupelo office. Originally from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Erin spent part of her childhood in Mississippi, where she helped care for beef cattle and bottle-feed calves on her grandmother's farm.
Erin graduated from the University of Mississippi with degrees in Criminal Justice and Healthcare Management. Through her work with veterans undergoing compensation and pension exams, she developed a passion for serving those who have served our country.
This fall, Erin will begin pursuing her Master of Health Administration degree at Tulane University. She hopes to build a career in healthcare leadership, combining her background in healthcare management and public service to improve patient experiences. During her internship, Erin is looking forward to learning more about healthcare policy, veteran services, and the role government plays in supporting veterans.
We are glad to have Erin join Team Kelly this summer and wish her continued success as she prepares for the next chapter of her academic and professional journey. |
Senior citizens are the lifeblood of our communities. That fact is all too clear to Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar who makes it his mission to improve their quality of life. Every year, he hosts the Senior Citizens Appreciation Day. This is an opportunity to entertain, educate, and connect them with important services.
In 2000, the newly elected Sheriff Tolar took office in rural Prentiss County. Soon after, he was asked to form the Prentiss County TRIAD by the Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging – a division of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The TRIAD would bring together law enforcement, service providers, and senior citizens. "You start out by forming a SALT Committee or Senior and Law Enforcement Together. This was a nationwide effort launched by the National Sheriffs' Association," Sheriff Tolar said. "I saw the need for law enforcement to be more community-oriented. We wanted this event to show our priorities, creating a special day to bring many seniors together to enjoy themselves. For many of these people, it's the only time they see their friends."
The first year, 500 to 600 people turned out for great food, entertainment, and to meet senior services providers face-to-face. "Seniors got their eyes examined, blood pressure taken, and received much-needed information about scams," Sheriff Tolar said. "Seniors are the most vulnerable – especially in recent years through phone, text, and social media scams." Senior Citizens Appreciation Day is now in its 26th year.
We are thankful for Sheriff Tolar's hard work and dedication to faithfully honor and protect our senior citizens. He is truly a hometown hero. |
Team Kelly is pleased to welcome Peyton Hodge as a summer intern in our Tupelo office. A Booneville native, Peyton grew up working his family's land, a farm that has been passed down through generations and remains a cherished part of his family's heritage. The land's history traces back to his great-grandfather, a World War II veteran who served as a Private First Class with the 9th Armored Division, loading ammunition aboard tanks during the war.
Peyton is actively involved in his community through service projects, and his work in a local law office and the Prentiss County Chancery Clerk's Office. At Northeast Mississippi Community College, he served as Vice President of the Student Government Association and Vice President of Public Relations for the Iota Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.
This fall, Peyton will transfer to the University of Mississippi to pursue a degree in Public Policy Leadership, with plans to attend law school. During his internship, Peyton is excited to help serve the people of Mississippi's First District. He is passionate about preserving the freedoms that make our nation strong and hopes to one day build a career in public service.
We are proud to have Peyton on Team Kelly this summer and look forward to seeing all he accomplishes during his time with our office and beyond. |
House Armed Services Committee | 06.04.26 | Kelly Statement on the Seapower and Projection Forces Print of the FY27 NDAA
Washington, D.C. — Seapower and Projection Forces (SPF) Subcommittee Chairman Trent Kelly (R-MS) delivered the following remarks on the Seapower and Projection Forces Print at the Full Committee Markup of the Chairman's Mark of H.R. 8800, the FY27 NDAA.
"With global tensions growing more complex and nuanced every day, projecting peace through strength at sea and in the skies is more important than ever. We have more work needed to protect national security, international order, and freedom of navigation. As our adversaries test American power with increasing scale and frequency, we must be able to respond forcefully and without hesitation. This overarching goal shaped the Seapower and Projection Forces mark we have here today."
"The Seapower and Projection Forces mark before us represents essential investments in our ability to project peace through strength at sea and in the air, now and in the future."
Watch Rep. Kelly's Opening Statement. |
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Mississippi
University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce, Vice Chancellor of Research and Economic Development John Higginbotham, and Executive Director of Federal Relations Amy Lewis |
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Thanks for reading,
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Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress
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