Louisiana Farm Bureau Voting Delegates Elect New President, VPs, Board Members

By Neil Melançon

Louisiana Farm Bureau

The 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.

“The Louisiana Farm Bureau has always been a leader in serving the state’s farmers and ranchers,” Fontenot said. “Being elected president is an honor, and I’m humbled to continue the legacy of that leadership.”

Newly elected to the Executive Committee are Burch Pierce of Catahoula Parish, elected as Second Vice-President and Amelia Kent of Tangipahoa Parish as Third Vice-President.

Also reelected were First Vice-President Marty Wooldridge of Caddo Parish, Secretary/Treasurer Mike Melancon and Women’s Leadership Chair Michele Simoneaux.

Board members are elected from 11 districts across the state for two-year terms. This year, even-numbered districts held elections for board members.

Newly elected to the board are Bill Cheek of Rapides Parish for District IV, Ted Glaser of Pointe Coupee for District VI, and Benson Langlinais of Iberia Parish for District VIII. Voting delegates also re-elected Butch Oaks of Ouachita Parish for District II and Matt Gravois of East St. James Parish for District X. Nicholas Gerace of St. Landry Parish was elected chair of the state Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and will serve on the board as its representative.

Board members from odd-numbered districts continuing their terms are Loyd Dodson of Bossier Parish for District I, William Stutts of West Carroll Parish for District III, Brian Churchman of Vernon Parish for District V, James “Bozo” Cox of Cameron Parish for District VII, John Thompson of Feliciana Parish for District IX and Bobby Simoneaux of Assumption Parish for District XI.

Founded in 1921, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization representing more than 142,000 member families.