Growing an organization for over 100 years like the members and leaders of Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation have done since 1922 is no small feat. To keep MFBF advocating for and promoting agriculture and the rural way of life for another century takes a membership continuing to develop the skills for that next wave of leaders.

“We, as farmers, are usually not the ones to really get out there and talk specifics and so it is a little uncomfortable to step into the spotlight,” said Adron Belk, Leflore County row crop farmer who competed in the YF&R Achievement Award contest. “Because they’re kind of making you brag about yourself, and I don’t really feel worthy to be doing so.  And so it gets you out of your comfort zone a little bit.”

Adron and Betsy Belk were encouraged to join the Young Farmers and Ranchers program by Farm Bureau staff. As young farmers, they have grown their operation thanks to the program, while also growing their family over the last several years.

“We’re the next generation,” said Betsy Belk, Leflore County.  “So, we need to be informed, get involved, stay involved, and keep ourselves aware of what’s going on around us – sort of doing your time.”

That’s why over 300 young farmers and ranchers attended the MFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference in Memphis. Some, like Pontotoc County’s Lorin Harvey and Forrest County’s Sarah Peacock are first time attendees.

“I recognize Farm Bureau as a critical platform for collective action and advocacy, and so I really want to improve my involvement at a personal level.  I want to come here, make connections,” said Harvey. “I want to improve young people’s participation in ag.”

“I had seen in the breakout sessions offered just how to promote agriculture, whether that be like social media or just diving into the schools and explaining and reaching out to our younger generation on why agriculture is important,” said Peacock. “So, I’m excited to see what they have to say about those things and what’s the best way to go about doing that.”

But whether a first timer or a multiple time attendee, for this group of 18-35 year olds, it’s about developing and equipping themselves with skills to lead into the future.

“The opportunity to grow your leadership skills and your communication skills is so important to be able to represent agriculture to the larger community,” said Christian Good, Noxubee County member. “As advocates in Farm Bureau, we have a voice and we need to speak that voice not only within our industry, in our association, but to the general consumer as well, and, in Farm Bureau, we feel equipped to do that.”

This weekend of meetings also brings together a wide variety of members from different commodities and from different areas of the state who ordinarily don’t see each other except for this event. The face-to-face conversations are greatly beneficial.

“I raise beef cattle.  I know plenty of people across the state that raise beef cattle.  Just talking to people that are row crop farmers, are poultry farmers, hearing what they’re facing,” said Wess Anglin, Tate County member.  “The challenges they’re facing, ways that we can help, and then just trying to get more involved in this organization to help give back and spread the good stuff about our industry.”

When asked about what she enjoys most about the conference, Greene County member, Emily West said, “The networking that we were able to get with each other and realize that—not just necessarily from an operation standpoint but from the mental standpoint you have to go through as farmers and the struggles that we face. No one understands that works a 9‑to‑5 job the financial situation of farmers, and getting to meet people your age that are actually going through those same struggles really helps us whenever the times get tough.”

But through tough times and good, drought and fair skies, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation is an organization standing up for its members, whether at the State Capitol or our nation’s capital.

“A support system,(is what I value most about Farm Bureau) because a couple years ago, we had a big flood and, almost immediately, we were getting text messages from President McCormick and our regional manager asking what we can do to help, said Addie Mayfield, Oktibbeha County member. “So just knowing that we have an organization like that behind you in incredible.”

Knowing that, for these up-and-coming members, means they will be there to lead those coming behind them, so this organization remains strong and viable for decades and centuries to come.

“People talk about leadership in the form of going and doing, but leadership is doing something that’s not getting done,” said Seth Bragg, Alcorn County member.  “It’s something that is where you find a niche, go and do that, feel that, take it back to your community, watch, look where people are not serving, and then work to make a difference. I think Farm Bureau has taught me that one hundred percent.”