If only the Arant family’s acres of corn, soybeans and rice could talk. Oh, the stories they could tell!

They could share of a family not only building their own legacy in Leflore County, but of one who helped build the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation into the organization it is today.

Hugh Arant, Sr. was elected the sixth president of the MFBF in 1972.

“I think the idea to run came to him when he was in the legislature,” said Hugh Arant, Jr., the sixth president’s son. “Knowing the politics, the state legislature and what Farm Bureau could do – it kind of pitched him toward that. So he ran and was elected in December of ‘72.”

“They’ve (the Arant family and Farm Bureau) been so intertwined for so many years,” added David Arant, Sr., another son of the president. “As far as I can remember, daddy was always a part of Farm Bureau, even before he was president. He was very active even after he served his time in office.”

Described often as a farmer and a businessman, Arant loved the farm. But, he understood his businessman role, too, and how important his job was to the future of agriculture in the state, even if it took him away from his family and farm.

“I think that’s the key to him – he wanted to be in as much as he could be, so he could do some good,” Hugh Arant, Jr. said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that he didn’t do some good.”

“I always thought daddy had a lot of vision,” David Arant, Sr. said. “He had the capacity to just look ahead and envision not only what Farm Bureau could be, but what the farm could be. And then, he would try to get it implemented or find the people that could get it implemented. That’s what I always respected about him.  ”

During his 16 years leading the organization, MFBF’s membership rolls reached 100,000 members in 1974 and then 150,000 members in 1985. He also oversaw the organization’s move from downtown Jackson to its current location.

“He enjoyed what he did, and, of course, he met a lot of great people,” Hugh Arant, Jr. said. “Not only in the organization, but, all over the state.”

During his tenure, it was not out of the ordinary for Arant to make a surprise visit, if he was in the area, back to his Ruleville farm – just to make sure things were running smoothly.

“I can remember when daddy would make a trip to a county meeting in north Mississippi, and he’d come back home to spend the night before he went back to Jackson,” David Arant said. “Hugh and I would look at each other and say, ‘Did you know daddy was coming home?’ I’d say, ‘No, I didn’t know he was coming home. Did you know?’ Hugh would say, ‘No, I didn’t know, but we better get busy.’”

Today, Arant’s grandson, David Arant, Jr. has followed in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps on the farm.

“When I think about all of the businesses and organizations he was involved in, it makes me wonder how he did it,” said David Arant, Jr. “He had such a growth mindset. He wanted to grow this organization, his farm and as a person. I think that’s important, and it is something I would like to model in some way.”

He and his wife, Rebekkah, have also followed Arant in serving Farm Bureau. They were even selected as the 2018 Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award winners.

“I think it’s really important that we stay involved in Farm Bureau, including getting our kids involved in events like convention,” said David Arant, Jr. “I think it helps them see how vitally important Farm Bureau is to our way of life.”

As MFBF moves through its centennial year, we have past leaders like, Hugh Arant, Sr., to thank for growing the organization beyond just his term to benefit those who will lead us into the next century.

“It’s no doubt he’d be very happy to see where Farm Bureau is and see all I has accomplished. Because, even after all these years, it’s still the leader in agriculture. And, it’s the organization farmers need to be involved in,” said David Arant, Sr.