Noxubee County’s Boswell Stevens was elected the fifth president of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation by a special membership convention in July 1950.

Stevens dropped out of Mississippi A&M College to fight overseas in World War I before returning to work on his family’s farm.

Farming on the homestead his grandfather founded northeast of Macon, Stevens learned hard work wasn’t always enough. Agriculture and farming needed to go beyond its fence posts. Stevens grew Farm Bureau to be a force at the state capitol and opened regular communication with Mississippi’s Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C.

During his 22 years in office – the longest term of service by any president – Stevens focused on membership. He opened Farm Bureau offices in all 82 counties and watched membership rise to more than 85,000 by the time he stepped down at the 1972 Annual Meeting.

Stevens served on many local, state and national boards, including Noxubee County General Hospital Board of Trustees, the Mississippi Economic Council Board of Directors and the National Cotton Council Board of Directors.

One of his last public appearances was at the dedication and open house of the current Mississippi Farm Bureau building.

Stevens loved farming and worked hard for all those who worked hard at it. He truly served at the voice of agriculture.