Learn, advocate, and be a voice…Those three objectives summed up an important week for Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation in early 2024. Members of all ages descended on the Capitol City to take part in events with wide reaching benefits for members and agriculture statewide.

“It’s exactly what we needed.  This is something that can affect a broad range of people that maybe missed the YF&R window,” said Mack Brewer, Lamar County member.  “This is real world.  Like we need to know this information on how to use on our different outfits.”

The first Landmark Leadership Council education seminar focused on members between 35 and 55 years of age aiming to benefit their operations and livelihoods in a focused way in order to make the most of our members’ time away from the farm.

“That was more of a business room style conversation where we had a lawyer and an accountant, and we were asking questions,” said Walt Rambo, Sunflower County member. “They set the tone for the meeting, but then we were able to take the meeting in a direction that suited our needs and I think that’s exactly what we were looking for.”

“My wife has expressed her opinion that she would like to get more involved and this has helped her get back involved more,” said Matt Edgar, Yazoo County member. “But, whenever you leave the farm, you have to make those days up whenever you come back so.”

Next, in one of the more important events of the year, the MFBF Legislative Reception gives members the chance to talk face to face with their state senator or representative. In this year’s Mississippi State Legislature, several first year lawmakers are Farm Bureau members.

“Having that experience on the Senate side that has an Ag background, it’s just wonderful to have that perspective there when we get to talking about issues and how it affects rural Mississippi, the farmers of our state,” said Mississippi Senator Andy Berry, representing Simpson County.

“Having the Farm Bureau roots is really helpful.  In any Ag related type issue, even the highway transportation issues, really Farm Bureau touches so many things,” said Mississippi Senator Brian Rhodes, representing Rankin County. “You can get good advice from your peers, from your friends, Farm Bureau leadership, you know, regardless of what the issues are.”

“When you look at agriculture, Farm Bureau, and the values and what this organization stands for, and what agriculture is for the state of Mississippi, it needs to be obviously one of our top priorities in the state,” Mississippi Senator Jonathan McMillan, representing Madison County. “I couldn’t be happier representing Farm Bureau and representing the state of Mississippi.”

Still, many legislators already know or have quickly found out how important a resource Farm Bureau is across many different issues they face.

“Just because you have knowledge of how we do it in North Mississippi, that doesn’t mean you know about the agriculture down on the Coast,” said Mississippi Representative Beth Waldo, representing Pontotoc County. “Having someone like Farm Bureau to kind of hold my hand and to educate us on different and important things that are about to take place is an invaluable resource.”

“I didn’t realize they were so strong and pushed so many agricultural bills and was so involved in the Ag scene,” Mississippi Representative Brad Mattox, representing Alcorn County.  “You know it’s important that we have them.”

Finally, the next morning, members visited the State Capitol, but with a purpose, as Mississippi Farm Bureau legislation was up for a vote on the Senate floor.

“I can’t think of a better way of voicing agriculture, representing farmers in the state, than having their people in front of the legislators here in Jackson,” said Mike McCormick, president, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation. “It’s good to have them back home, but it’s also good to have them here in the galleries when votes are being taken on issues that are important to us.”

Again, state lawmakers visited with Farm Bureau members and received a “thank you” but also a reminder of all that farmers and agriculture means to Mississippi in the form of a pine tree sapling. But, the day and its meaning was not lost for those who took part.

“It gives them a chance to see what our lawmakers do.  This isn’t an easy job and we appreciate what they do, and I feel like it lets them become more comfortable in the process of talking about actual bills that are being discussed here at the Capitol and how it impacts them in their counties,” said McCormick.

“I’m trying to get more involved, learn more about what we do as far as Farm Bureau….not a lot of people have this opportunity,” said Denarious Evans, Oktibbeha County member.   “For them to ask me to come and support what they have going, I mean that means a lot to me.”

“I think Farm Bureau is one of the greatest assets to rural Mississippi and rural areas in general because they recognize, you know, what small farmers are going through,” said Mississippi Representative Rod Hickman, representing Noxubee County. “They have connections in every single county across this state, and so I think that what they do really connects with my district and that’s why anything Farm Bureau does I support it.”

“The questions I have, the answers they have, that’s what it’s all about.  Just me getting to know the full process,” said Mississippi Senator Philman Ladner, representing Hancock and Harrison Counties. “The whole process is just fulfilling, you know, they make me feel real comfortable and proud to be a part of it.”