USA Rice's Jamison Cruce makes his point at MFBF conference
Aug 08, 2024
BILOXI, MS – Last week, the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) held its annual summer leadership conference here with a few hundred farmers in attendance to hone leadership skills, participate in competitive young farmer events, and receive pertinent updates on policy and forthcoming technological advancements in agriculture.
During the general session, commodity producers from across the Magnolia State were welcomed by MFBF President Mike McCormick followed by remarks from Congressman Mike Ezell who represents Mississippi’s Fourth Congressional District. Congressman Ezell centered his talk largely around the need to advance a Farm Bill that is good for production agriculture, but also highlighted ongoing work in Washington, DC, to improve the livelihood of rural Americans. An Extension outlook update was also provided by Dr. Angus Catchot, extension director for Mississippi State University.
Jamison Cruce, USA Rice vice president of government affairs, provided a Washington and political update focused primarily on the next Farm Bill, including the ongoing negotiations and how vital it is that Congress hear from farmers directly how tenuous the financial situation is for agricultural producers right now.
The session wrapped up with a presentation on artificial intelligence in agriculture from Todd Janzen with Janzen Schroeder Ag Law.
“I want to thank the Mississippi Farm Bureau for having me down to speak about the development of a new Farm Bill and the need for a bill to be signed into law this year that includes meaningful enhancements to the farm safety net,” said Cruce. “While the road ahead seems unclear, production agriculture remains united in this effort and we’re lucky to have friends like Mississippi Farm Bureau in our corner.”