La. Farm Bureau Members Attend National Convention, Set National Ag Policy
San Juan, Puerto Rico — More than 50 Louisiana Farm Bureau members and their families are here for the first American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) convention held in the U.S. territory.
Louisiana producers are here to network with other farmers and ranchers from across the country, learn about issues facing agriculture and help set policy on the national level as part of the 104th AFBF annual meeting. The Louisiana Farm Bureau members in attendance represent every commodity grown or raised in the state including sugarcane, soybeans, cattle, cotton, rice and crawfish.
“It’s important that we’re here to have our voices heard,” said Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper. “2022 proved that disaster programs in the Farm Bill do not work for Louisiana agriculture and we need to be here to help direct the conversation as debate begins on the next Farm Bill.”
Louisiana farmers and ranchers suffered more than $500 million in losses due to drought and excessive rain in 2022, according to a report from the LSU AgCenter. According to that report, 800,000 acres of soybeans, 68% of Louisiana’s crop, were damaged by rain. The damage prompted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to declare a disaster in 11 Louisiana parishes.
“We’re thankful that Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow and other members of our delegation were able get disaster aid for soybean and rice farmers included in the last omnibus spending bill,” Harper said. “We need these funds to be dispersed as soon as possible because these losses came as our farmers were about to harvest the most expensive crop they’ve ever planted.”
Inflation and trade are other topics that will take center stage at the AFBF convention when voting delegates set policy on Tuesday. Louisiana Farm Bureau has eight voting delegates.
Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers will also represent the state in several competitions. Phillip and Chelsie Domingues of Vermilion Parish will compete for the AFBF YF&R Achievement Award. Marylynn Waddle of DeSoto Parish will represent Louisiana for the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award. Amanda Duhon of Vermilion Parish will compete in the AFBF YF&R Discussion Meet and Duhon’s dog, Case, is a finalist in the People’s Choice Pup online competition.
“I’m really proud of our Young Farmers and Ranchers,” Harper said. “I know that they will represent Louisiana well and show how strong agriculture is in our state.”
Winners in each of the competitions will be announced Monday during the convention’s closing session.
Founded in 1921, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization representing 136,000 member families.