Several Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation leaders traveled to Washington, D.C. earlier this month to participate in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Issue Advisory Committee meetings.

The AFBF’s Issue Advisory Committees provide an avenue for Farm Bureau’s grassroots leaders to contribute their expertise on specific issues to the organization’s policy deliberations. Committee members meet in person once per year, and hold additional meetings via webinar or conference calls throughout the program year as needed to discuss new developments on their assigned issues.

MFBF members serving on AFBF Issue Advisory Committees who traveled to Washington, D.C. include:

  • Lonnie Fortner, Claiborne County – Farm Policy Committee
  • Noble Guedon, Adams County – Technology
  • Jo Lynn Mitchell, Covington County – Organics & Direct Marketing
  • Larry Jefcoat, Jones County – Market Structures
  • Jon Koehler Bibb, Tunica County – Budget & Economy
  • Mike McCormick, Jefferson County – Advisor and Market Structures Committee
  • Andy Whittington, Staff – Advisor and Pests & Invasive Species Committee

“MFBF truly appreciates the hard work of these Issue Advisory Committee members,” MFBF President Mike McCormick said. “It’s extremely important for us to continue having a voice at our nation’s capitol and this is one way we can do that.”

Outcomes of the committees’ deliberations include advice and counsel to the AFBF Board of Directors on policy-related actions the organization might take, recommendations for state Farm Bureau policy development and policy recommendations to the AFBF Resolutions Committee. Members also provide a bench of issue experts to testify at congressional hearings, meet with lawmakers and communicate with the news media, as requested.