CLEVELAND, MS – On June 13, the Delta Council celebrated its 90th anniversary at the Bologna Performing Arts Center at Delta State University. Since its establishment in 1935, the Delta Council has worked together to help address the unique challenges the region faces and is one of the state's most prominent and influential organizations. The organization comprises agricultural, business, and professional leadership across the Delta.
The rice industry in Mississippi has deep roots in the history of the Delta Council, with many rice farmers taking on leadership roles within the organization over the years. USA Rice collaborates closely with the leadership and staff of the Delta Council to ensure that advocacy efforts are well-coordinated and that the Delta's interests are effectively represented within USA Rice. That has been particularly true as both organizations worked collaboratively to secure the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, which provided much-needed assistance to rice farmers, and continue to work to strengthen the rice farm safety provisions.
The annual meeting kicked off with a salute to the 2025 Delta Honor Graduates and a Delta 1000 meeting that gave an in-depth update and review of President Trump’s second term, the 119th Congress, and the 2026 midterm elections.
During the business session, the achievement awards for 2025 were presented, with the Good Middling Community Service Award presented to Anne Hall Brashier, who serves as chief of staff for Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, and the Outstanding Rice Producer Award presented to Rayner Farms of Merigold, Mississippi. Additionally, John Michael Pillow received the Conservation Farmer of the Year Award, Dr. Geoff Waldbieser was presented with the Research of the Year Award, Charles Durst received the Soybean Award, and Roger Barlow was presented with the Outstanding Contributions to Delta Aquaculture Award.
The keynote was a memorable discussion moderated by Delta Council President Tripp Hayes, who was joined by Keith Carter, the vice chancellor of intercollegiate athletics at Ole Miss, and Zac Selmon, the director of athletics at Mississippi State University. The discussion brought the representatives of the rival schools together to talk about their history and role within the university athletic system, their passion for sports, and how it has enabled them to be successful in their careers.
“For more than 90 years, the Delta has learned that, by working together, we can register progress on the challenges our unique region faces,” said Tripp Hayes, outgoing president of the Delta Council. “We are all aware of those challenges in very uncertain economic times for the Delta, but with your support and leadership of our tried-and-true tested regional development organization, we can and will make great strides.”
Succeeding Hayes as president is Clint Dunn of Itta Bena. Dunn is a sixth-generation farmer and helps manage his family’s cotton, corn, and soybean operation. He is a regular in Washington, DC, where he advocates for the needs of agriculture in the next farm bill.