The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee recently hosted the 2024 Gary Langley Memorial Golf Tournament at Halifax Holes in Bolton. The tournament serves as a tribute to its namesake, a previous YF&R state committee member of Batesville who lost his life in a tragic tractor accident while serving on the committee.

Honoring Langley’s passion for agriculture and dedication to serving others, the event also helps build support for MSFB YF&R’s Scholarship Foundation, which provides over $60,000 annually to Mississippi college student majoring in agriculture.

“It is vital for organizations like ours to continue to provide better opportunities for our state’s young farmers and ranchers to grow their agricultural knowledge and advocacy skills,” said Samantha Laird, YF&R coordinator. “This tournament is an important fundraiser for our YF&R scholarships and is a meaningful investment in the future leaders of our state’s leading industry.”

Sam Bandy, Kayne Case, and Owen Smith played for the Jefferson County Farm Bureau team that won the morning flight. David Duncan, John Langley, and Keith Morgan of the Langley Family Team won the afternoon flight.

With 12 three-person teams and 51 sponsors who helped make the tournament possible, the one-day event raised nearly $20,000.

“The committee would like to thank all our teams and sponsors for contributing to a worthy cause and making this year’s event a success,” said Laird. “We would also like to extend a very special thank you to MFBF Central Mississippi Vice President Ted Kendall IV for so generously donating the use of Halifax Holes for the event and for his hands-on assistance in helping to make the event run smoothly.”

Following the golf tournament, new and returning YF&R state committee members spent the weekend in the state’s capital city learning more about MFBF and YF&R and engaging in committee orientation activities.

The agenda kicked off Friday morning at MFBF headquarters, where returning YF&R state committee members voted on leadership for the upcoming year. New leaders, whose one-year terms will begin at the Annual Convention in December, are: Jay Slater as chairman, Christian Good as first vice chairman, Seth Walters as second vice chairman, and Haden Walters as secretary.

Members heard from MFBF administrators, learned about MFBF policy, and participated in a special leadership training led by Rachael Carter from Mississippi State University Extension’s Center for Government and Community Development.

The orientation weekend also provided networking opportunities for members to become better acquainted with their peers on the committee and MFBF staff members during dinner outings and special team-building activities.

“Around this time last year, I joined the county Farm Bureau board and there were a lot of policies in place and being discussed that I didn’t really fully understand. So, I wanted to join this leadership organization to really figure out how we, as county members and through YF&R, can better understand and impact policies for farmers, not just our own county, but throughout the state and nation,” said Clay Atkins, Region 4 first-year committee member.

Atkins continued, “I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and better understanding other aspects of farming, from poultry to cattle to timber. My background is more involved in row crops but I think it’s important that you can come onto this board and have a meeting with 24 people that have completely different backgrounds and, to me, that is the most important part.”

Veteran committee members who have experienced first-hand the benefits of being involved with YF&R state committee offered advice to incoming members and shared their opinions on the greatest take-aways of the experience.

“You look at the schedule at all the meetings we have and the opportunities to travel to conventions and to Washington D.C. and it can seem like a lot,” said Bubba Thompson, third-year committee member representing Region 5. “But I advise all those that are rolling on to take every opportunity they can to go to every meeting. I know we all have so much going on with kids and jobs and stuff, but I really encourage them to make every effort because you meet and build relationship with so many people who will help you down the road.”

“Getting out of my comfort zone and talking to senators, legislators, and representatives affects me on my farm and my county,” said Thompson. “Through YF&R, Farm Bureau put me in positions to talk to people that I would never cross in my normal, routine days. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be in this position to be able to grow in those aspects.”

Cory White, Region 4 third-year committee member echoed Thompson’s sentiments. “When I first went on the county board before rolling onto the committee, I had no clue what was going on.  This has further educated me and, now, I feel that I can better serve the board, better serve the county, and Farm Bureau with the knowledge that I’ve gained through this organization.”

Spouses not directly involved in the day-to-day farming operations or agricultural-related work also benefit from their involvement.

“I didn’t grow up in agriculture.  I’m one generation removed. So, I was fresh in this,” said Laura Good, Region 4. A second-year committee member, she admits she didn’t know what to expect upon joining the committee, but is grateful for the exposure to different farming operations and opportunities to build relationships with other farm wives and couples it has provided her and her husband, Christian. “It’s been wonderful just to have a more holistic understanding of agriculture to help me really feel passionate and excited about it. We have two boys that will be the next generation on the farm, so getting to learn and grow in leadership in this area and learn more about what they’re going to be a part of has been really, really fruitful for our family.”

Well-prepared by the orientation program and bolstered by the fundraising success of the 2024 Gary Langley Golf Tournament, the 2024-25 YF&R state committee is eager to do their part to help lead the organization and advance the mission of MSFB.

MSFB’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program is open to individuals ages 18 to 35 in all 82 counties of Mississippi. For more information about the program, visit www.msfb.org/yfr/ or contact your regional manager.