Young Farmers & Ranchers Forge Connections on Capitol Hill
Members of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers State Committee recently returned from an eye-opening trip to Washington, D.C. The visit was designed to give participants a deeper insight into the role Farm Bureau’s grassroots efforts play on Capitol Hill and to provide opportunities for them to engage in meaningful conversations with policymakers.
Throughout the trip, participants engaged in a series of high-level meetings addressing key issues impacting Mississippi’s farming and ranching communities. Members met with U.S. Representatives Michael Guest, Bennie Thompson, Mike Ezell, and Trent Kelly, as well as Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. These sessions covered topics such as the Farm Bill, livestock policy, ag labor concerns, and crop insurance programs.
“I am very thankful that Farm Bureau recognizes the importance of providing young farmers and ranchers, like me, the opportunity to advocate for agricultural policies so that future generations of farmers can continue to provide food, fuel, and fiber to our world,” said Bubba Thompson, a third-year committee member of Copiah County.
One of the highlights was a breakfast meeting with Senate Agriculture Committee staff, where participants received valuable insights from professionals working on livestock and commodity programs. This was followed by a visit to the Canadian Embassy to discuss international agricultural trade, emphasizing Mississippi’s interconnected role in the global marketplace.
Participants also visited the offices of the American Farm Bureau Federation, where they were briefed on agricultural policy and advocacy strategies. The trip underscored the importance of the Farm Bureau’s grassroots efforts in shaping legislation that benefits agricultural communities across Mississippi and the nation.
In addition to their advocacy work, the group toured iconic landmarks such as the White House, U.S. Capitol Building, and several memorials on the National Mall. These tours provided a broader perspective on the history and institutions shaping U.S. governance.
“Touring our nation’s capital was a wonderful experience that makes us proud to be a part of Farm Bureau. Our favorite part of the trip was meeting with our representatives and senators to advocate for Mississippi agriculture,” said Bonnie White, a third-year committee member from Clay County. “This was an eye-opening experience and an incredible opportunity to tell our story with our fellow committee members and friends.”
White continued, “We spoke on the importance of the Farm Bill, drought assistance, and other important matters that make a difference to Mississippi farmers. We have actual boots-on-the-ground experiences that hopefully struck the right chords. We would not have this kind of opportunity without MFBF or YF&R and we are so blessed and thankful that we got to do it with staff and members who have become lifelong friends.”
State YF&R Committee Chair Colton McMurry of Forrest County echoed similar sentiments. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and I am grateful for the opportunities like this that Mississippi Farm Bureau provides us to grow our knowledge and understanding of policy and to become more well-equipped leaders for the ag industry.”