Every fall Farm Bureau members across Mississippi assemble for their County Farm Bureau annual meetings to celebrate their accomplishments and look toward the future.
The Tishomingo County Farm Bureau held one of the first annual meetings in September where they enjoyed a large meal prepared by Farm Bureau Insurance Agent Kenny Phifer and music by the Unity 4 Quartet.
Members in attendance also had the opportunity to hear from Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President Mike McCormick, MFBF Deputy General Counsel and Public Policy Coordinator Lee Thorne and MFBF Northern District Vice President Donald Gant with updates on the state office and capital.
“I can remember when I became President 22 years ago, we were having this meeting in the vocational building because we only had about 15 people coming,” Tishomingo County Farm Bureau President Dr. Jim Perkins said. “We’re glad to have everyone present today. It means a lot to Farm Bureau to have everyone come together to learn what’s going on in our state.”
The Neshoba County Farm Bureau annual meeting followed in October where members enjoyed a steak dinner and recognized the county’s 2018 Young Farmer of the Year, Jeremy Morgan, and 2018 Farmer of the Year, Alex Henson.
Morgan and his family operate a cattle operation with Hereford and Red Angus cows, in addition to marketing and selling their own local beef. Henson and his family operate a chicken farm.
The Amite County Farm Bureau hosted their annual meeting in late October with a BBQ dinner. Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson spoke to the members in attendance as the keynote speaker.
“I am thrilled to be here tonight,” Gipson said. “It’s such an honor to get to speak with you and learn about agriculture in your part of Mississippi.”
As the number one industry in Mississippi, Gipson said he has made it his mission to promote the industry in the best light possible.
“It is an honor to have Commissioner Gipson and President McCormick in attendance tonight,” Amite County Farm Bureau President Gene Nunnery said. “It’s so important for us, as a county Farm Bureau, to get together around this time of year to look back and plan for the future. That’s what these meetings are all about.”
McCormick said he is proud of all 82 county Farm Bureaus for their accomplishments in 2018.
“We all know how beneficial it is for our members to collaborate on current practices and discuss key issues affecting their bottom line,” McCormick said. “No matter what the commodity, our members always work together to develop policies that will benefit the industry as a whole. It is this spirit of collaboration and teamwork that allows the Federation to be so successful in what it does, making our future bright!”