Voice of Mississippi Agriculture
Why advocacy matters
Today, less than two percent of the U.S. population are farmers. Tremendous technological strides have released more and more people from the task of growing food and fiber, allowing them to seek other professions.
That is why Farm Bureau’s public policy efforts are so important. The best legislative influence comes from informed, concerned farm families communicating their beliefs to their elected representatives.
State
The Public Policy Department is responsible for monitoring the impact of government actions on agriculture.
National
The Public Policy Department is responsible for helping implement Farm Bureau policy at a national level.
Environmental
Our Environmental Policy team works on environmental legislative priorities that affect farmers and ranchers.
Political Issues Committee
All Mississippians, regardless of their profession, are impacted by “pocketbook” issues. These issues include property tax, sales tax, user taxes and fees, health care, crime, education, waste disposal and others. The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) carefully monitors any and all issues affecting the membership, especially those that directly relate to the enhancement of our members’ quality of life.
The Political Issue Committee (PIC) is used to target these issues. PIC funds are used to promote the passage or defeat of specific issues that will be voted on by: (1) the state’s registered voters; (2) members of the state’s legislature; or (3) by specific segments of the farming community such as cotton producers, beef producers, soybean producers, ect. Farm-related issues have included Boll Weevil Eradication, Rice Promotion and Soybean checkoff referendums, as well as, the passage of Private Property Rights, better known as Eminent Domain. Farm Bureau supported these issues as sound, beneficial programs that will enhance producers’ net income and improve their quality of life. PIC funds provided the organization a valuable means of being able to go beyond its normal efforts in each of these cases.
PIC is governed by a board composed of members of the MFBF Board of Directors. These directors are elected by county delegates at the MFBF annual meeting. The PIC board authorizes the issues that will be targeted each year and a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote is required to expend PIC funds.
Unlike other organizations, PIC funds are NOT used to support a political candidate or party. Only issues for which Farm Bureau has official policy or an official position can be targeted. A Farm Bureau member is going to benefit from Farm Bureau’s efforts just because they belong to the organization. By voluntarily contributing $1.00, the member is simply providing the organization an opportunity to stretch its efforts beyond what the normal dues will allow.
If you would like to donate to the PIC, click on the button below.
Who To Talk To
Policy Contacts
Today, less than two percent of the U.S. population are farmers. Tremendous technological strides have released more and more people from the task of growing food and fiber, allowing them to seek other professions.
That is why Farm Bureau’s public policy efforts are so important. The best legislative influence comes from informed, concerned farm families communicating their beliefs to their elected representatives.
