Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper Elected to Second Term, New Board Members Elected
The voting delegates of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation elected Jim Harper, a rice, crawfish, sugarcane and soybean farmer in Rapides Parish, to a second term as president of the state’s largest general farm organization.
“It’s truly an honor to serve the Louisiana Farm Bureau members of this state,” said Harper. “We’re now going into our 100th year as an organization and we’re taking steps to ensure every one of us has the food, fiber and fuel we need for the next 100 years.”
Harper lives in Cheneyville, La., with his wife Debbie. They have two children and five grandchildren. He farms rice, crawfish, sugarcane and soybeans in a partnership with his brother, Ross Harper.
The voting delegates also reelected first vice-president Marty Wooldridge of Caddo Parish, second vice-president Scott Wiggers of Franklin Parish, third vice-president Richard Fontenot of Evangeline Parish and secretary-treasurer Michael Melancon of St. Martin Parish.
Board members are elected from 11 districts across the state for two-year terms. This year, odd-numbered districts held elections for board members.
In District I, Loyd Dodson from Bossier Parish was reelected. In District III, William Stutts of West Carroll Parish succeeds Roy McIntyre of Franklin Parish. In District V, Scotty Fontenot of Evangeline Parish succeeds David Smith of Beauregard Parish.
In District VII, Kent Brown of Jeff Davis Parish succeeds Kim Frey of Acadia Parish. In District IX, Bob Kelly of East Baton Rouge Parish succeeds Russell Creel of Washington Parish. In District XI, Jason LeBlanc of West Baton Rouge Parish succeeds Tom Ellender of Terrebonne Parish.
In addition, there are two other committee chairs who serve as board members. Vincent Cannatella of St. Landry Parish succeeds Kacie Luckett of East Baton Rouge Parish as chair of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. Michele Simoneaux of Assumption Parish was reelected as chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee.
The Louisiana Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general farm organization. It is a grassroots farming organization and all board members must be certified as active agricultural producers. More information, including a complete list of board members, can be found at lafarmbureau.org.
Founded in 1922, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization representing more than 148,000 member families.