Farm Bureau has experienced a host of changes in the last 100 years, and many members in South Mississippi, find it beneficial to reflect on those changes to prepare for the future.

Phillip and Susan Turner

“A lot has changed in the world, but especially the farming world,” said Greene County Farm Bureau member Phillip Turner.

Phillip and his wife, Susan, have been growing vegetables and serving as a voice of agriculture for more than 50 years. Their son may tend to the day-to-day operation of their farm now, but the couple still has cows right across the street and stays extremely active in Greene County Farm Bureau. Phillip serves on the Greene County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, while Susan works with the county’s Women’s Leadership and Agriculture in the Classroom programs.

The Turners consider the advances in farm equipment and the passage of eminent domain legislation as some of the most important milestones they have been a part of while serving Farm Bureau. But, their biggest take away from participating in Farm Bureau is the importance of family. That point hit home for them in 2011 when a tornado destroyed their county Farm Bureau office.

“A tornado came through and wiped out our building,” Phillip said. “The very next day, state Farm Bureau people and other county Farm Bureau people were down here with us, setting up tents, writing checks for the damage, and just helping.”

“That was Mother’s Day. Two days later, a trailer was brought in to serve as a temporary office,” Susan said.

Phillip and Susan are proud to see MFBF reach 100 years and hope the organization continues to grow in the future.

“There has to be stability and good intentions for an organization to be in operation for 100 years,” Susan said.

Louis Breaux IV

For Hancock County Farm Bureau member Louis Breaux IV and his family, Farm Bureau played an instrumental role in helping their farm grow.

“I was 9 years old when we moved here, and by the time I was 10, my daddy had four stakes out there in the grass. When I asked daddy what it was, he said, ‘That’s the two acres where the house is going to be.’”

That was in 1957 when Breaux’s family was starting what has turned into their multi-generational farming operation in Hancock County.

“We’re going on four generations,” Breaux said. “We have 300 acres of the original place, and then another 1,500 acres on another place across the road.”

Breaux’s father began his farming career as a dairyman, but in 1969, Hurricane Camille brought change and uncertainty, so he began raising beef cattle.

“He got rid of the dairy cattle and got into beef cattle, and we just grew from there,” Breaux said.

Today, Breaux carries the torch for Farm Bureau in Hancock County, serving over the years as county president, a member of the MFBF State Board of Directors, and South Mississippi Vice President, just like his father. For him, MFBF’s 100 year anniversary centers around one thing.

“Farm Bureau means family,” he said. “It means getting to know people and becoming life-long friends with other farmers from the coast to the Tennessee line, and from the Delta to down here. It means supporting each other in the good and the bad.”

Ken Mallette

For Jackson County Farm Bureau member Ken Mallette, farming and Farm Bureau have been constants in his life. But, he would not have either without his father.

“My dad did this all his life,” Mallette said. “He was my mentor, and I followed in his footsteps. We worked together a lot, side-by-side. You have to really love this way of life to make it work.”

Today, Mallette runs a cow-calf operation on land surrounding his home. He has served in various leadership roles Jackson County Farm Bureau and other state programs most of his adult life. Once again, following in his father’s footsteps. Mallette is proud to be a member of an organization that has supported him and his family for 100 years.

“Jackson County was chartered in 1924,” he said. “It’s interesting to see the foresight those farmers had to begin a county Farm Bureau and participate on the different levels. They knew Farm Bureau would not only be important to them then, but us now. It’s been a great thing to be involved in that history.”

Dot Cole

Just like farm land, Perry County Farm Bureau member Dot Cole has a story to tell.

“My husband was offered a position to practice medicine in this area, and he found this land,” Cole said. “It was great because it was close to town, and he wanted to be able to come home for lunch. So, we bought it. We had cattle at first and then added the pecan trees.

Cole was raised in agriculture, helping on her parents’ farm and participating in 4-H, but she pursued a nursing degree when she went to college. That’s where she met her husband.

“When I got into college I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” she said. “I ended up meeting some nurses and that made me interested in becoming one. I loved nursing. It gave me a wonderful life and let me be able to do this, too.”

Cole enjoyed farm life, so she ran their operation while her husband practiced medicine. It was during this time, she was approached to become a member of Farm Bureau.

“A farming friend of ours asked me to get involved,” Cole said. “Her name was Ms. Hattie Backstrom. She was the women’s chairman.”

From that day on, Cole was dedicated to the Farm Bureau mission.

“I like the policy side of Farm Bureau,” Cole said. “Being a member has really taught me a lot. I probably would have never been in the legislature if I had not gotten involved with Farm Bureau. I am proud to be a member and to encourage other people to get involved.”