LLC Members Engage Lawmakers During Capitol Legislative Day
Members of Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation’s Landmark Leadership Council (LLC) spent March 5 at the Mississippi State Capitol for Legislative Day, gaining firsthand insight into the policymaking process and strengthening relationships with state lawmakers.
Participants from across Mississippi observed House of Representatives and Senate sessions, visited with legislators, and discussed issues affecting agriculture and rural communities during the day’s activities. The visit also included a lunch with lawmakers, providing additional opportunities for informal conversations about legislative priorities impacting Mississippi farmers and landowners.
“Legislative Day gives our Landmark Leadership Council members a chance to learn more about the key bills and legislative priorities being advocated for by Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, and to build relationships with the lawmakers who represent their communities,” said Taylor McNair Hill, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation deputy general counsel and state affairs coordinator. “When our members understand the process and engage directly with legislators, it strengthens agriculture’s voice across Mississippi.”
The Landmark Leadership Council is designed to help develop informed, engaged leaders within Farm Bureau by providing opportunities for meaningful engagement in policy development and agricultural advocacy.
For Walt and Ashley Rambo of Sunflower County, attending the event was an opportunity to build those relationships and ensure lawmakers know farmers are available to help inform policy decisions.
“We chose to attend the LLC Legislative Day to let our representation know that we are available, as a farmer from their area, if they need assistance on an ag issue,” Rambo said. “I think it is important for farmers to make their voice heard instead of only relying on the Farm Bureau staff.”
During the Capitol visit, LLC members sat in the House and Senate chambers to observe legislative proceedings and gain a better understanding of how bills are debated and considered.
For Murry Haslip of DeSoto County, seeing the legislative process up close provided valuable perspective.
“I appreciated the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with our legislators,” Haslip said. “The most interesting thing to me was the vast difference in the way the House and Senate conducted the business of the state.”
Following the Capitol visit, participants attended a lunch with legislators, where conversations continued about issues affecting agriculture and rural communities across the state.
The group also heard a presentation from Whitney Lipscomb, general counsel for the Republican Attorneys General Association, who spoke about the legal landscape surrounding agricultural antitrust investigations and key considerations for producers and agricultural organizations.
Walt Rambo said the presentation addressed concerns many farmers share regarding the cost of modern equipment and inputs.
“I found it encouraging to listen to Whitney’s presentation on ag antitrust,” Rambo said. “I think as farmers commodity prices are not our only concern. I do not believe that most farmers want government assistance. I believe that we can weather lower commodity prices if the input prices were not so inflated or manipulated. I will never be convinced that a tractor should cost $500,000. I have 12-year-old tractors that are capable of all the same jobs, even precision agriculture applications.”
Hill said opportunities like Legislative Day help equip Farm Bureau members with the knowledge and relationships needed to effectively advocate for agriculture.
“Our strength as an organization comes from our grassroots membership,” Hill said. “When Farm Bureau leaders take the time to learn about the legislative process and engage with policymakers, it ensures agriculture continues to be well represented where decisions are made.”