On October 30, 1922, representatives from 12 county Farm Bureaus gathered in Jackson to incorporate a statewide Farm Bureau to promote Mississippi crops. Upon signing the articles of incorporation, the group select the organization’s officers and authorized them to develop marketing associations for various Mississippi commodities, including truck crops, hay, potatoes and syrup.

Although many things have changed since that day almost 100 years ago, the purpose of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation has not. We are here to create an environment in which Mississippi farmers, ranchers and Farm Bureau members can have a better life and make a better living.

In celebration of this milestone, the Mississippi Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 550 to recognize the 100th anniversary of our great organization during the 2022 Legislative Session.

THE RESOLUTION READS:

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MISSISSIPPI FARM BUREAU FEDERATION AND COMMEMORATING ITS HISTORY AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE.

WHEREAS, the American Farm Bureau was created in 1919 to disseminate college research results to farmers, and has since grown into one of America’s strongest lobbying organizations, with 6 million members and affiliated services and member benefits that include highly respected insurance companies. The newly minted farm organization gave farmers and ranchers a voice and a seat at the table with the powerful economic interests of the day-business, manufacturing, railroads and labor. American Farm Bureau is the national advocate for farm and ranch families through good times and bad in the belief that a more prosperous agriculture contributes to the well-being of all Americans; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation was officially chartered on October 30, 1922, in Jackson, Mississippi. C.L. Neill of Jones County was elected as the first President; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation is the Voice of Agriculture for farmers, ranchers and rural Mississippians; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation is to create an environment in which Mississippi farmers, ranchers and Farm Bureau members can have a better life and make a better living; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend an effective advocacy organization which is the Voice of Agriculture in the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the 100th Anniversary of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation and commemorate its history and contributions to agriculture in our state, and extend to all members our best wishes on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mike McCormick as President of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, forwarded to the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.

Taylor McNair is the Public Policy Coordinator at the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.