As 2023 comes to a close, I would like to reflect on changes we have seen in state politics and review our focus areas for 2024.

Election

The 2023 Mississippi General Election took place on Nov. 7, 2023. All executive offices in the state were up for election, as well as all 52 seats of the Mississippi Senate, all 122 seats in the Mississippi House of Representatives, and many local offices.

In 2022, according to shifts in population derived from the U.S. Census, districts were redrawn to reflect population changes in Mississippi. The fast-growing areas in Desoto, Madison and Rankin counties saw significant changes, while other areas of the state lost population. We look forward to continuing to strengthen relationships with returning elected officials and legislators, as well as building relationships with those newly elected.

New Programs

Mississippi agriculture is constantly facing an array of challenges that hinder both growth and development. As Mississippi’s largest general farm organization, we have a strong voice that carries these issues directly to Mississippi’s statewide elected officials and legislators.

This year MFBF launched the Landmark Leadership Council, also known as LLC. LLC focuses on the importance of meaningful engagement in specific agricultural issues and significant participation in policy development and regulatory matters. Members between the ages of 30 and 55 develop leadership abilities that equip them to further advocate to Mississippi’s statewide elected officials and legislators.

In addition, MFBF hosted a Campaign School on May 25, 2023. This school trained MFBF members running for elected positions in the mechanics of running successful campaigns, grassroots, organizing a campaign, reporting, procedures, gaining voter support, and media and communication. Attendees of the school were able to personally ask questions to multiple current elected officials and gain educational insight into the logistics of running for an elected position.

2024 Mississippi Legislative Session

The 125-day Mississippi Legislative Session will begin on Jan. 2, 2024, with sine die on May 5, 2024. A few of our priorities include:

• We will support our land grant universities, Mississippi State University and Alcorn State University. These universities not only play a large role in educating the next generation of farmers but also in the advanced agricultural research efforts that are vital to Mississippi’s number one industry.
• Continuing to fund Mississippi’s infrastructure, like roads and bridges, is another critical issue MFBF will support.
• Foreign ownership of land is a widespread topic in the U.S. MFBF has a seat on the Mississippi Study Committee on Foreign Purchase of Farmland, created last year, and will work with our agricultural industry friends to carry out meaningful policy.

We look forward to working on your behalf promoting the interests of Mississippi’s agricultural community and supporting the state’s rural economy.

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