The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum Foundation and Southern AgCredit will present the popular, Knoxville-based, Americana band, The Black Lillies, at the inaugural “Raising the Barn” outdoor benefit concert June 12 with local band Southern Grass performing as the opening act.

The concert will be held at the museum grounds at 1150 Lakeland Dr. in Jackson beginning at 6 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for an evening of family entertainment.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Ag Museum Foundation’s rebuilding efforts following last November’s fire and future museum improvements.

Extension Agent John Coccaro said he believes the local community is pretty passionate about the ag and forestry museum.

“Vicksburg is not that much of a rural area as far as farming goes,” he said.

“For students to be able to go over to the Ag Museum and get a better understanding of ag and forestry and the history of it is neat. I think a lot of older folks like to go and reminisce on what they may remember from their childhood growing up in a rural Mississippi town or on a farm.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the gate, and $1 for children 12 and under. Advanced tickets may be purchased at ardenland.net or at the Ag Museum.

Food trucks including LurnyD’s Grille, MS Authentic Street Taco, and Hog Heaven BBQ will be on hand offering everything from hamburgers to nachos.

The “Raising the Barn” outdoor benefit concert is made possible by sponsors including Southern AgCredit, Mississippi Farm Bureau, Mississippi Ag, iHeart Media, Southern Beverage, Mississippi Poultry Association, Mississippi Beef Council, Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Gotta Go, ESCO Corporation, Cannon Motors, and Jackson Free Press.

For more information about the concert, “like” the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum on Facebook or go to ardenland.net.

Anyone who would like to make contributions and donations to assist with rebuilding efforts and future improvements can make checks payable to the Ag Museum Foundation, 1150 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS 39216 or call 601-432-4500 for more information.

For more information contact Chaille Clements at Chaille@mdac.ms.gov or 601-359-1140.