For questions or comments, please contact Communications Director Avery Davidson at averyd@lfbf.org.
Richard Fontenot, a fourth-generation rice, soybean and crawfish farmer from Ville Platte, will serve as the 13th president of Louisiana Farm Bureau.
Voting delegates from across the state elected Fontenot at the 102nd Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal St. He succeeds Jim Harper of Cheneyville who led the state’s largest general farm organization for four years. Harper announced in February that he would not seek another term.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, concluded its annual convention here with a slate of elections for board positions, including the election of Richard Fontenot of Evangeline Parish as its new president.
The elections were part of the Voting Delegates session on Sunday where members elected the board of directors and decided on the state’s grassroots policies for the coming year. Fontenot, a rice farmer from Evangeline Parish, said he was proud and honored to become the 13th head of the Farm Bureau since it was established in 1921.
Read MorePageantry and royalty filled the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott during the 102nd Annual Queen’s Contest presented by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.
Twenty-four of Louisiana’s most poised and talented ladies representing various parishes competed for the coveted crown. Eager to represent the organization for the upcoming year, this year’s slate of contestants participated in multiple rounds of competition, which included both interviews and evening gown presentations.
Read MoreTwo strong advocates for American agriculture stated their positions on issues such as the Farm Bill, labor concerns and regulatory decisions during the public policy luncheon at the 102nd annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention.
U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and current American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duval told a crowded room that getting a Farm Bill passed this year is a daunting task, but both were optimistic it could get done.
Read MoreA St. Martin Parish dancer took home first place in the Junior division and Shaohannah Martin of Lafayette was awarded first place in the Senior division in the Talent Contest at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s 102nd Annual Convention.
Ten-year old Eleanor Melancon of Breaux Bridge danced to “Wings” from the television show Glee. Melancon, who will enter 6th Grade at Cecilia Junior High this fall, has been dancing since she was seven years old. Her routine was choreographed by her mother, Nicole, who is a dance instructor at “Front and Center” dance studio in Lafayette where Eleanor dances.
Read MoreAndrew Dauzat, a 16-year-old student at the Louisiana School for Agricultural Sciences in Avoyelles Parish, won the Talk Meet Contest at the 102nd Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, June 28.
Dauzat, who will enter his junior year in high school this fall, and 10 other contestants delivered a 5-minute or shorter speech on the following topic: How can Farm Bureau help sustain American agriculture?
Read MoreHannah Devall of St. Martin Parish was named the winner of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet contest at the 2024 Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention in New Orleans. This contest simulates a committee meeting which allows professionals in agriculture to develop leadership skills.
“As a youth development professional, I am always encouraging the youth I work with to step out of their comfort zone and do the hard things to better themselves for tomorrow,” Devall said. “This contest provided me an opportunity to lead by example.”
Read MoreA Lafayette Parish sugar and cattle producer is this year’s Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Outstanding Young Farm Woman.
Amanda Duhon, 33, received the award at the Louisiana Farm Bureau's 102nd Annual Convention in New Orleans on June 27, 2024. Duhon is a first-generation sugarcane farmer and a fourth-generation cattle producer, but she said that wasn’t always the case.
Read MoreA couple from Evangeline Parish is this year’s recipient of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture award. Clint and Raquella Manuel took the top prize at the 102nd annual convention held in New Orleans, La.
This prize is awarded to young farmers and ranchers who do not earn the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation but contribute to the industry.
Read MoreAaron and Jamie Lee of Vermilion Parish have been named the 2024 Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award Winners, the highest honor given by the Louisiana Farm Bureau to individual farmers each year.
The Lees won the award during the organization’s 102nd Annual Convention here at the Marriott on Canal St. Thursday night during the Organizational Awards. The young couple are sixth-generation sugarcane, livestock, rice, and crawfish farmers who will now go on to compete for the national title in January 2025 at the American Farm Bureau convention in San Antonio, Texas.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation culminated the opening night of its 102nd Annual Convention with Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau capturing the President’s Award for the fifth straight year.
The President’s Award recognizes the parish Farm Bureau that excels in membership, advocacy and communications over the past year. Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper presented the award to Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau President Bryan Simon Thursday night at the New Orleans Marriott.
Read MoreThe 102nd Annual Convention of the Louisiana Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, is underway here at the Marriott Hotel on Canal St.
The convention will see 1,500 farm families attend during the four-day event, which includes contests, commodity conferences, youth activities and a host of guest speakers, including politicians. Expected to attend this year is U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., Commissioner of Ag and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain and Commissioner of Insurance Tim Temple.
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