Como farmer Sledge Taylor began his operation in 1974 after graduating from Mississippi State University. Today, he is president of the Como Consolidated Gin Company and Buckeye Farms, a diversified operation, growing cotton, cattle, soybeans, corn, wheat, and in most years, peanuts.

On this day, we’re not talking about his operation, but his grandfather, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation’s fourth president, Ransom Aldrich.

“Over the years, I’ve done research about him and found various things,” Taylor said. “But I think, the best way to describe him was tireless, always in a good mood and very upbeat. I think he was a man of vision, and I think he pretty much epitomized what Farm Bureau was about.”

Despite never knowing his grandfather, the similarities are undeniable. Taylor has always been an advocate for agriculture, looking for new ways to create a better future for farming.

“Over the years, I’ve just somehow learned the importance of getting agriculture’s message out there, so I guess I did kind of carry on his vision,” he said.

Taylor served as the National Cotton Council chairman in 2015, testifying before the United States House Agriculture Committee and Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee about the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the United States ruling. Again, much like his grandfather, Taylor is willing to speak up and speak out on issues affecting his fellow farmers.

“Senator (John) Stennis got the federal government to appropriate some money for rural roads in Mississippi,” Taylor said. “(Aldrich) made a pretty big splash about how the state was taking money from the rural road system and using it elsewhere. He was dedicated, too. He saw the need and tried to do something to correct it.”

Aldrich did more that make corrections. During his 13 years as president, the Benton County man was known to have a zeal to see rural Mississippi progress, encouraging farm to market road improvements, community hospitals through the Hill-Burton Act, electricity to rural homes and the creation of Farm Bureau insurance services.

“He served during in the depths of the (Great) Depression,” Taylor said. “I think Farm Bureau had maybe a little over 3,000 members at the time. He built it up from there. He was all for the little man. There were so many small farmers back then, and they needed Farm Bureau’s help.”

Aldrich also visited The Netherlands on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation, fact-finding on a nitrogen fertilizer facility. That mission would eventually turn into the Mississippi Chemical Corporation in Mississippi. Taylor said those in agriculture cannot be afraid to voice their opinions, whether that’s in local or county meetings, at the State Capitol or even in Washington, D.C. Like his grandfather, be willing to serve to benefit all farmers.

“We often think that we can’t make a difference,” Taylor said. “But, if you’re hardheaded enough, strong-willed enough and just have a vision, you can. Not to say that’s me, but I’ve come to found out that if you speak up, even if it’s just a few words, we can all make a difference.”