102nd Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention Underway
By Neil Melançon
Louisiana Farm Bureau News
The 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.
“We are thrilled to be holding this family-friendly event, which brings together so many different commodities so critical to Louisiana’s economy,” said Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper. “We will establish our grassroots policies directly from farmers and ranchers, especially critical as Washington is deciding on a new Farm Bill.”
This will also be President Harper’s last convention leading the organization. Harper announced his retirement in February. This decision brings an end to 25 years of service on the Louisiana Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Harper previously served as first vice-president from 2003-2020 and was on the Louisiana Farm Bureau Board of Directors representing District IV from 1998-2003.
On Thursday, June 27, those grassroots policies will begin to take shape during policy sessions throughout the day. The Annual Organizational Awards will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Carondelet Ballroom on the third floor of the Marriott. Among the many awards given will be the Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award, naming the state’s top young farmer and rancher, and the President’s Award.
On Friday, June 28, the Labor Conference will be held at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Environmental Conference at 10:30 a.m. The General Session of the Convention will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Acadia Ballroom, third floor. The Farm-to-Table Conference will be held at 3:30 p.m.
In addition, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will hold its Century Farm Awards in conjunction with the Convention from 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
That night will see the Talent Contest, divided into Junior and Senior Divisions. This contest will highlight the state’s rural youth as they sing, dance, and entertain the crowd.
All day Saturday will be the Commodity Advisory Committee Conferences, the groups that represent the farm commodities grown in Louisiana. Each conference will have a guest speaker, as well as input from each commodity’s farming members. Saturday night will be “crowning event” of the youth contests—the naming of the 2024 Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen.
Sunday will be the Voting Delegates Session, where grassroots policies will be presented before the voting members of Louisiana Farm Bureau. In addition, delegates will elect a new president for the organization and each seat of the Executive Committee will be up for election, as well as half of the Board of Directors, who are elected to two-year terms.
A full schedule of events is available at lafarmbureau.org. Registration for the convention is in Preservation Hall on the second floor of the Marriott.