JACKSON, Miss. —
Nearly 650 Farm Bureau members, representing the state’s 82 county Farm Bureaus, took part in the three-day meeting where, in addition to the election of officers and directors, the delegates adopted policy to guide the organization’s efforts during 2013. Policies relating to national issues will be forwarded to the American Farm Bureau Federation for consideration at its annual meeting, which is scheduled for Nashville, Tenn., in mid-January.
Randy Knight, a dairy farmer from Pelahatchie, Mississippi, was re-elected to his second term as President of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation. Donald Gant from Merigold was re-elected as Vice President-North Mississippi; Ted Kendall from Bolton was re-elected as Vice President-Central Mississippi; and Reggie Magee from Mt. Olive was re-elected as Vice President-South Mississippi.
The delegate body identified several areas of interest as priority issues for the upcoming year including protecting animal husbandry practices based on sound science, protecting landowners from trespassers’ lawsuits, and supporting adequate funding for animal health issues.
Governor Phil Bryant gave the keynote address to the assembled delegates. He thanked Farm Bureau for their work in the Legislature and emphasized the importance of agriculture to Mississippi. “I was very proud to see that the agriculture industry in Mississippi is responsible for $7.2 billion worth of income,” said Bryant. “The agriculture industry in this state adds so many jobs — about 29 percent, think about that. Nearly 30 percent of the state’s workforce is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture.”
Newly elected or re-elected directors on the MFBF Board include Lowell Hinton, Corinth; Chris Lively, Clarksdale; Kelcey Shields, Mantachie; Kenny King, Ackerman; Jimmy Whitaker, Satartia; Oliver Limerick, Shuqualak; Vander Walley, Waynesboro; David Barton, Raymond; Mike McCormick, Union Church; Larry Jefcoat, Soso; and Louis Breaux, IV, Kiln. Jon Koehler Bibb of Tunica will sit on the Board due to his election as Young Farmer & Rancher Committee chairman.
Scott Cannada was selected as Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Achievement Award winner and will travel to Nashville to represent Mississippi in the National Young Farmer Achievement Award competition. William and Julie White of Starkville were selected as the Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture award winners. They will also head to Nashville for national competition. Cory Williamson of Water Valley won the Young Farmer Discussion Meet, an event that challenges contestants’ discussion skills and their ability to persuade others to see their side of an issue. He will also compete in the national competition in Nashville in January.
Farm Bureau’s highest award, the MFBF Distinguished Service Award, was presented to Louis Breaux of Kiln. Mr. Breaux has worked closely with Farm Bureau for more than half a century in various county and state positions. He is currently an Honorary Vice President on the Mississippi Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
There were two recipients of the Friend of Agriculture Award. Senator Billy Hudson of Hattiesburg and Representative Preston Sullivan of Okalona received the award for their support of agriculture and Farm Bureau in the Mississippi Legislature.
The Excellence in Leadership Award went to Jan Holley of Itawamba County for her many years of dedicated service to agriculture in Mississippi.
Paul Ott of Summit was given the Ag Ambassador Award for his work in promoting agriculture and Mississippi.
In other meeting activities, Molly Martin of Simpson County won the Farm Bureau Ambassador competition. Molly will be a spokesperson for Farm Bureau and agriculture during 2013.
Business
Knight re-elected as Farm Bureau concludes 91st annual meeting
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- Dual Enrollment Practical Nursing Program available at PRCC Some students possess the maturity level and academic wherewithal to begin studying toward a fruitful career path while still in high school. It is no secret that many earn most of the necessary credits towards a high school diploma by the completion of the junior year of school; thus, requiring the student to attend high school for part of the school day during their senior year. Many students have jobs or extracurricular school activities, such as band or athletics, to help round out the day. However, those not in falling into these categories often ended up with a lot of free time; fortunately policy makers in Mississippi are finding ways to assist these students.
- Senators Burks Hill and Smith along with Representative Frierson panelists for Chamber Business Review The Greater Area Picayune Chamber of Commerce held a Legislative Review for the business community, at Char Southern Steakhouse, Monday at 5:30 p.m. Panelists included State Senator District 40 Angela Burks Hill, State Senator District 47 Tony Smith, and State Rep. Herb Frierson of Poplarville. All are Republican. They spoke on the past session and bills they either authored or helped pass which impact local and state businesses.
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Medical Group gives back to community
, Children’s International Medical Group is proud to announce the opening of their pediatric clinic in Picayune.
The clinic is one of many throughout La. and Miss. which brings compassionate care centered around pediatric patients and the community in which they live.
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Charter Bank names Westfall as VP
Charter Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Rich Westfall as vice president of business development and marketing. His responsibilities will be to lead business and community development and oversee all marketing efforts for the bank.
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Weak Oracle sales, Cyprus fears weigh on US stocks
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Mississippi REALTORS® hold annual REALTOR® Day at the Capitol
On Feb.7, 2013 Pearl River County REALTORS® joined more than 120 Mississippi REALTORS® at the Mississippi State Capitol to take part in REALTOR® Day at the Capitol.
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More than school board needs to be changed: Part 2
Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
At quick glance, it is easy to see that the Mississippi economy will only need about 25 percent of its workforce at the bachelor’s level or higher. Most jobs still require only a high school degree, but many well paying jobs will require some sort of 2 year degree or a post high school type credential such as a certificate in welding, carpentry or plumbing. -
HORNE LLP welcomes Picayune native as spring accounting intern
HORNE LLP, one of the top accounting and business advisory firms in the nation, recently welcomed Melissa Pigott of Picayune, Miss., as a spring accounting intern. A total of 26 accounting students were selected for the highly competitive internship program.
Pigott is a student at the University of Southern Mississippi and is completing her internship in assurance services in the Ridgeland, Miss., office location. -
More than school board needs to be changed: Part 1
By Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
The Senate Education Committee passed Bill 2141 recently. The bill is championed by local Senator Tony Smith. While the bill would not affect Pearl River Central Schools, it would change the Picayune and Poplarville School Districts from a mix of appointed and elected board members, to all elected. An amendment was put in the bill to require board members to have at least one year of college. - More Business Headlines
