Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Association Issues a Challenge
Jackson, MS – Guided by the principle of providing educational opportunities which promote the agricultural aviation industry, the National Agricultural Aviation Museum announces plans for short-term and long-term renovations.
The National Agricultural Aviation Museum is part of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum campus in Jackson, Mississippi. The 8,000 square foot exhibit was developed in 1983 in order to educate the public on the importance of aerial applications and the advancements within the agricultural aviation industry. “The National Agricultural Aviation Museum is a very important part of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum. Agricultural aviation revolutionized the agriculture industry, and we are proud to have the opportunity to share the story of agricultural aviation and its significant contributions to agriculture through the years, not only in our state but across the nation.” said Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Aaron Rodgers, Executive Director of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum which houses the National Agricultural Aviation Museum, shares the impact and vision of the renovations. “Our goal is to renovate the National Agricultural Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame (NAAM) to be a more interactive and exploratory experience for visitors and introduce agricultural aviation to audiences of all ages in several different ways. In order to rebuild the experience, we need to update the exhibit infrastructure, digitize most of the two dimensional material, build interactive exhibits for a younger audience, and increase awareness of the NAAM.”
The ultimate goal is to increase space by building a new larger, interactive exhibit hall. Until additional funds are raised for the new building, a complete overhaul will transpire on the existing 8,000 sq. ft. space. The renovation is broken into 3 phases of planning and implementation.
Initial designs for the renovation include designing and installing new entrances to the Hall of Fame to make it more distinctive and enhancing the exhibit design with new flooring, murals and wall decals. When this phase is completed, the museum plans to make the NAAM even more immersive for guests, so that they may truly experience the agricultural aviation industry. There are plans to incorporate sound effects, install a “design-your-own ag plane” magnetic board, and even implement a cockpit simulator where guests can see what it would really feel like to fly a crop-duster.
To kick off the transformation, the Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Association voted to take an active role in the renovation campaign by contributing a gift of $10,000 towards the renovation and challenged others associations and aerial application shareholders to do the same.
MAAA president Ike Brunetti is thrilled with the plans. “The MAAA is extremely proud to support the National Agricultural Aviation Museum’s renovation campaign. We are truly honored that our state is home to the NAAM and that a much needed renovation project is beginning. Our hope is that our $10,000 challenge gift will create a stimulus to help finance the NAAM’s renovation project.”
The MAAA challenges each state association and members of the National Agricultural Aviation Association to follow their lead and invest in the NAAM’s renovation campaign.
Museum Director Aaron Rodgers shares his enthusiasm for the project. “The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum is so proud to host the NAAM. We want the new exhibit to be an experience that leaves guests with a greater appreciation and interest in agricultural aviation, and the support from MAAA is making that dream possible. We hope that other members of the National Agricultural Aviation Association will contribute to the cause and join us in encouraging recognition of this incredibly valuable industry,” he states.
For additional information on the renovation project, please contact Aaron Rodgers, Executive Director of the Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Museum.
If you would like to accept the challenge and invest in the NAAM campaign, please contact Kathy Williams, Project Development Manager of the Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Museum Foundation.
About the National Agricultural Aviation Museum
The National Agricultural Aviation Museum is located on the campus of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum in Jackson, Mississippi. NAAM has been committed to preserving the history of agricultural aviation, educating future generations and emphasizing the importance of Ag Aviation in the production of agriculture since its inception in 1983.The museum traces crop dusting from early biplanes to the aircraft of modern times. Covering 8,000 square feet, the National Agricultural Aviation Museum’s floor space and airspace provides a comprehensive look at an industry that reshaped the history of agriculture. Actual planes that once flew over Southern farms and plantations are on display as well as photos of the members of the National Agricultural Aviation Hall of Fame. The museum located at 1150 Lakeland Drive in Jackson is open Monday –Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
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