Gov. John Bel Edwards to Address 97th Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

State’s Largest General Farm Organization Meeting to Discuss Agricultural Issues

By Avery Davidson, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

NEW ORLEANS—Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards will address the general session at the 97th Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.

     Edwards, along with Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, DVM and Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon are scheduled to speak before Farm Bureau members Friday afternoon at the New Orleans Marriott.

     “It’s appropriate that our meeting is in New Orleans,” said Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation President Ronnie Anderson. “They can look out the windows of the Marriott and see why our farmers and ranchers are concerned. The Mississippi River has been in flood for a record number of days and farmers are still having a tough time moving grain from last year’s harvest.”

      Backwater flooding is preventing some farmers from planting their soybean crops as diminished trade is depressing prices.

     “It really is a tough time for our farmers and ranchers,” Anderson said. “Farm income across the country is projected to be almost 50 percent lower this year than it was just six years ago. They need to hear some good news from their elected leaders.”

      2019 is an election year in Louisiana and several candidates for office will be in attendance to meet Louisiana Farm Bureau members. Confirmed to attend are candidates for governor, commissioner of agriculture and forestry and commissioner of insurance, along with candidates for state senate and representative races across the state.

     “It’s no secret that Louisiana Farm Bureau members vote,” Anderson said. “When you have this many energized voters in one place, it’s a no-brainer for candidates to come to our convention and work the rooms.”

     The 97th Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation wraps up on Sunday, June 23. On that day, announced gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Congressman Ralph Abraham, MD, who represents Louisiana’s fifth district, is scheduled to speak to voting delegates from across the state. Those voting delegates will propose and set policy to guide the Louisiana Farm Bureau in its mission as the Voice of Louisiana Agriculture.

     More than 1,000 Louisiana Farm Bureau members and their families are in New Orleans for the 97th Annual Meeting.

     For more information, visit www.lfbfconvention.org.  

      Founded in 1922, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization representing more than 137,000 member families.