Advocating farmer-written policy at local, state and national levels is what makes Farm Bureau unique. The grassroots driven organization strives to provide a unified voice for Mississippi agriculture to elected officials from the United States Capitol to the local county courthouse.

One way Mississippi’s County Farm Bureaus are doing this is by hosting legislative tours. Wayne County Farm Bureau recently held its first legislative tour for its local, state and national elected officials.

“It came to our attention that our local politicians really didn’t know what was going on at the farms in our area,” Wayne County Farm Bureau President Lee McCollough said. “So we thought this would be a good way to share our message to them and interact on a more personal level.”

Wayne County Farm Bureau hosted the event at Willie Taylor’s farm in order to highlight some of the area’s most economically viable crops, like poultry, corn and timber. The day started with presentations from various professionals in these commodity industries before ending with a Q&A session and a tour of the farm.

Mississippi State University Poultry Science Extension Professor Dr. Tom Tabler presented on the poultry industry, while Corteva Territory Manager Dustin Harris discussed corn. Mississippi Forestry Association Executive Vice President Dr. Tedrick Ratcliff answered questions about the forestry industry and Wayne County Blueberry Growers Association member Michael Knight discussed blueberries. To conclude the presentations, Mississippi State University Agricultural Economics Assistant Professor Dr. Josh Maples talked about agriculture’s impact on Wayne County.

In addition to these speakers, guests heard from Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President Mike McCormick who emphasized the importance of agriculture to Mississippi and why Farm Bureau believes it is critical to develop relationships with elected officials.

“Sometimes I think people forget how important agriculture is to their county,” McCormick said. “It’s not always as impressive looking as other economic drivers, like a plant in the middle of town. But agriculture is what drives our local and state economies. I hope the elected officials who attended today’s event walk away from here with a newfound appreciation for agriculture and a new relationship with one of these farmers.”

“The Mississippi Farm Bureau puts in a lot of work to engage elected officials and the agricultural community in our state. Events like these give members an opportunity to engage with stakeholders and see their needs and challenges firsthand,” U.S. Senator Roger Wicker said of the event after receiving a report from his staff member in attendance. “My staff and I look forward to continuing working with the Farm Bureau to expand opportunity in Mississippi.”

Mississippi Senator Dennis DeBar agreed that it is essential for elected officials to have strong working relationships with farmers in their area.

“Agriculture is the number one industry in Wayne County and the state,” DeBar said. “It’s important that we all get together to talk and educate each other about how the industry is impacting our county and state.”

DeBar said the information he learned at the event will help him during the 2022 Legislative Session.

“The knowledge I acquired gives me an advantage when I’m asking for something for our farmers during the Legislative Session,” he said. “I would encourage more counties to host events like this so that we can all continue to learn and understand how the agriculture industry is changing and how it affects our constituents.”

Some of the constituents in attendance included agriculture industry professionals, like Southern AgCredit Regional Vice President Brent Barry.

“Events like this allow us to come out and gather with area farmers to show our support for the industry,” Barry said. “I hope the elected officials in attendance understand the importance of what agriculture means to the community and why we should all work together. From the local supervisors to the state level politicians back down to the bankers, like myself, and the farmers, like Mr. Taylor, it’s important we work as a team to be successful.”