La. Farm Bureau President, Executive Committee Reelected By Voting Delegates

By Neil Melancon

Louisiana Farm Bureau News

Bottom row, left to right: YF&R Chair Robert Duncan, Third Vice-President Richard Fontenot, First Vice-President Marty Wooldridge, President Jim Harper, Second Vice-President Scott Wiggers, Secretary-Treasurer Mike Melancon, Women's Leadership Committee Chair Michele Simoneaux. Top row, left to right: Loyd Dodson, Butch Oaks, William Stutts, Ryan Yerby, Scotty Fontenot, Joey Olivier, Kent Brown, Allen McLain, Bob Kelly, Matt Gravois, Jason LeBlanc.

NEW ORLEANS—Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper was re-elected to serve for his third term at the 100th Annual Convention of the organization on Sunday, June 26.

The election took place during the organization’s voting delegates session, and saw the re-election of the members of the executive Committee as well. Harper, a grain, sugarcane, rice and crawfish farmer, said it was an honor to serve as president once again, especially during the centennial year. 

“I am so proud to have served for the past two years and look forward to this next year in the best farm organization in the world,” Harper said. “The volunteer leaders, the staff and the farmers all across Louisiana are what make Farm Bureau the voice of Louisiana agriculture.”

Also reelected were 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 Mike Melancon of St. Martin Parish.  Women’s Leadership Chair Michele Simoneaux was also re-elected to her position.

La. Farm Bureau President Jim Harper was reelected to serve a third term.

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

Voting delegates reelected District II Board Member Butch Oaks of Ouachita Parish and District VI Board Member Joey Olivier of St. Landry Parish

Newly elected were Robert Duncan of Rapides Parish as the Young Farmers and Ranchers Chair, District IV Board Member Ryan Yerby of Grant Parish, District VIII Board Member Allen McClain, Jr. of Vermilion Parish and District X Board Member Matt Gravois of East St. James Parish.

Serving the second year of their terms are District I Board Member Loyd Dodson of Bossier Parish, District III Board Member William Stutts of West Carroll Parish, District V Board Member Scotty Fontenot of Evangeline Parish, District VII Board Member Kent Brown of Jeff Davis Parish, District IX Board Member Bob Kelly of East Baton Rouge Parish and District XI Board Member Jason LeBlanc of West Baton Rouge Parish.