DeSoto County farmer and charter Farm Bureau member, D.E. Wilson, was elected the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation’s third president in November 1931.

Wilson took over leadership in one of the toughest times in Mississippi Farm Bureau history – the Great Depression. He focused on getting federal aid for farmers.

Wilson was deeply involved in state and national politics. He served as a state senator, and even took part in a march with 3,000 other farmers in Washington, D.C.

In his operation, Wilson was a conservationist, planting trees on his farm and testing the soil for fertility levels.

Wilson coined the term “Farm Bureauism” – meaning having the Farm Bureau spirit.

Wilson served as president until 1937. He lived to be 99 years old.