Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Central Mississippi Vice President Ted Kendall IV knows what it takes to make a living as a farmer – hard work and the willingness to diversify your business.

Kendall grew up on The Gaddis Farms in Hinds County, his family’s multi-generational operation led by his father Ted Kendall III (affectionately known as “Big Ted”). After studying at Mississippi State University, he returned home to begin his career with the family businesses.

The Gaddis Farms is one facet of Gaddis and McLaurin, Inc., the multi-enterprise company run by Big Ted, Kendall, and his cousin, Kendall Garraway. In his role, Kendall oversees the family’s multi-thousand head cattle operation and a portion of their multi-thousand acre row crop operation.

“It’s really neat to be involved with a lot of the different parts of our farm – beef cattle, row crops, timber, wildlife management,” Kendall says. “We’re always doing something. We don’t get many breaks, but having so many things going on at once really makes it interesting day-to-day.”

Kendall is proud of how his family has diversified their 100-year-old farm. He attributes their ability to stay in business during economic valleys to understanding the importance of growing and raising a variety of commodities, while also investing in other business opportunities. He plans to continue diversifying The Gaddis Farms to ensure it can be passed down to his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Kendall Thames, one day.

“People want to know where their food, fiber and shelter comes from, and how it was produced and handled when it was on the farm,” Kendall says. “As a farmer and a producer, I am interested in providing consumers with those necessities while also taking good care of our inputs, like the land. I want to leave the land and everything we deal with better than when I got it so that one day my grandchildren can continue this legacy.”

This is the same approach Kendall takes when handling Farm Bureau business as Central Mississippi Vice President. He wants to leave the organization better than when he was elected, and he is happy to have the opportunity to work with board members and staff who feel the same way.

“The diversity on our Executive Committee mirrors the diversity of the Board of Directors, which then mirrors the diversity of our membership in general,” he says. “That’s what is so unique about Farm Bureau. We are a multi-commodity enterprise, representing Mississippi farmers and rural Mississippians. This can be a challenging task, but it is worth it.”

Kendall believes Farm Bureau is vital to having a healthy and vibrant agriculture community across the state.

“It is becoming harder for farmers to leave the farm and advocate for themselves, which is why it is critical to have Farm Bureau working on our behalf in Jackson and Washington, D.C.,” Kendall says. “This year will mark 100 years of Farm Bureau being the voice of Mississippi farmers and rural citizens. I am proud to be a part of the leadership team during this milestone.”