The role of MS Farm Bureau in the economy

By Guest Columnist Joy Foy

The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Winter Commodity Conference didn’t appear to be of interest to a non-farmer, but I was surprised at what I learned.  Working with our Madison County Farm Bureau Federation’s woman’s program to introduce agriculture in the classrooms, I have participated in art and coloring contests with local students of city and county schools.  

We have nominated Coach Rolando Roman of Mansdale Elementary as our Teacher of the Year 2022 for his creative ways to use agriculture in teaching students the importance of conservation and farming.  To promote appreciation of agriculture in the community, the Madison County Farm Bureau participated in the state photo contest last year, and Betsy Sligh won two of the categories with her pictures.  However, after attending this commodity conference, I realized there is still lots to learn about all the Federation does for residents of our state and the huge impact farming has on our economy.

Each year, the local Farm Bureau boards discuss concerns at the county level and make recommendations of issues to address.  These concerns are drafted in the form of resolutions and are then presented to the voting delegates at the Farm Bureau State Convention each December.  The entire group votes to adopt proposed resolutions as a matter of concern, and then the state officers use these resolutions as a guide for what legislation needs to be adopted. 

Mike McCormick, President of MFBF said, “It’s not my role as president to decide what our policy is. It’s our membership’s decision. Farm Bureau is known for having solid grassroots membership; because of that, whatever our members vote on during the meeting is what we’ll advocate for over the next twelve months.”

MFBF works through employees who are at the Capitol throughout the legislative sessions and with the lobbying team of the Cornerstone Group to ensure that legislation discussed and adopted is in the best interest of farmers and property owners on the state level.  MFBF has agents in Washington, D.C. to work with and observe congressional issues.  They only concern themselves and get involved with issues that affect farming and property rights even on the national level that were adopted by the state members.  They partner with the Mississippi Forestry Commission, Mississippi Loggers Association, the major universities, and other state agencies to accomplish their outlined goals.  The MFBF meets annually with the American Farm Bureau Federation, which has representation from all fifty states to compete, fellowship and conduct business.  This year, Madison County hopes to have a Farm Woman and a Young Farmer and Rancher nominated that can go to the national level of competition.  

MFBF are very much involved and connected with national firms like The Redding Firm Inc., a legal service industry in Washington, and Nutrien Ag Solutions of Loveland, Colorado, that offers best-in-class solutions and service to help farmers.  These national companies help MFBF to have a bigger picture of the economy and the agriculture environment for the coming year.  Individuals from these two companies were on the commodity conference program.  These guests shared how the COVID pandemic had changed our local economy, and especially Andy Burlingham of Nutrien Ag Solutions highlighted how it impacted the supply and demand chain.  He reported that prior to COVID, a China cargo container had an average cost of $2,000, and today that same container average cost is $12,000; and, while the time from China to being unloaded at the port in Greenville was thirty-five days prior to COVID, the delivery now takes seventy-five days.  With these facts, we readily can see that the just-in-time inventory systems are not working; and, according to Burlingham, the way for the economy to improve is to be smarter about managing our needs. He did give us hope that by the third quarter, adjustments in inventory buying should have changed; and, if that happens, the prices will begin to fall on commodities.  

MFBF is much more than another farm agency.  It is also a watchdog, a policy influencer, and an informer.  As Paul Harvey was famous for saying, the MFBF looks for and tells us the “rest of the story;” and being informed in this day and age is more important than ever.  2022 marks the 100th year for Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, and the adopted theme for this year’s annual conference will be “100 Years of Faith, Family, and Farm Bureau.”   

Kevin Brown is the MFBF Public Policy Coordinator and also serves as one of the Regional Managers in keeping counties updated on current affairs at the state and national level.  Kevin meets with the Madison County local board every other month to give updates.  

Kevin sums up MFBF this way, “Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation is the largest general agriculture organization in the state whose mission is to create an environment where Mississippi Farmers and Ranchers can have a better life and make a better living.  The organization achieves these goals through the volunteer leadership of its grassroots farming members.  This model has proved itself for 100 years now to be THE voice of agriculture in Mississippi.”  

Mike McCormick is president of Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, and James Foy is president of the Madison County Farm Bureau.  Everyone is welcome to become a part of the Farm Bureau efforts to hold our legislators accountable and get involved.  For the price of $35 per year, your voice can join the 3,511 Madison County Farm Bureau Federation members and 190,000 members statewide for making Mississippi a better place to live and own property.  To join, contact Adrian Garrison at the local office at 211 North Hargon Street, Canton, or call her at 601-859-3215.

 
EDITOR’S NOTE: Joy Foy is married to James Foy and is a retired Economic Developer with the Mississippi Development Authority. Foy is an active participant in the community of Canton. She is a member of the Canton Lions Club, the Keep Canton Beautiful Committee and the Canton Beautification Committee.