Louisiana Farm Bureau Set for Record-Breaking 103rd Annual Convention
By Neil Melançon
Louisiana Farm Bureau News
The Louisiana Farm Bureau is gearing up for its largest annual convention ever, with over 1,500 farmers and their families registered to attend the four-day event in New Orleans.
The 103rd LFBF convention will take place from June 26-29 at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal St. High-profile elected officials, including 5th District Congressman Clay Higgins, are slated to attend. Members will also participate in officer elections, attend a wide variety of conferences, and witness the crowning of the next Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen.
Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot noted that this year's convention comes after a challenging period for many state farmers, who have faced low crop prices and high input costs.
"This past year has seen stubbornly high input costs along with low prices for most of our farming commodities," Fontenot said. "At the end of the day, we’re price takers, not price makers, but that doesn’t mean we have to take our condition lying down. Convention is the time when we set our policies for the next year and elect the leaders who will see that through."
Farmers and ranchers will delve into critical issues such as trade, tariffs, livestock and poultry health, pesticide policy, and Louisiana infrastructure projects. Experts from across the country will present on timely topics like renewable energy and the "Make America Healthy Again" movement.
Convention Highlights
Thursday, June 26, marks the Louisiana Farm Bureau Annual Organization Awards, where parish Farm Bureaus will be honored for their achievements. The state's top Farm Bureau will receive the President’s Award. Additionally, the Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award will be presented to the top-performing farmer or rancher between the ages of 18 and 35.
Friday, June 27, will feature the Labor, Environmental, and Farm-To-Table Conferences. These sessions are open to anyone interested in expanding their businesses and learning about incidental issues that can impact a farm's success. That evening, the organization will host its Talent Contest, showcasing the best of farm and rural youth in Junior and Senior categories.
Saturday, June 28, will be dedicated to commodity conferences in the morning. These sessions will address policy and crop-specific issues, with national speakers discussing topics most important to farmers. There will also be two estate planning sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Given rapidly changing regulations, estate planning is vital for Louisiana's predominantly multi-generational family farms. Furthermore, the LSU AgCenter’s Ag Leaders of Louisiana meeting and the Century Farm Awards will be held in conjunction with the convention.
Saturday night will be the "crowning" event of the Convention, as the organization names the 2025 Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen at the Queen’s Contest.
Sunday, June 29, is the Voting Delegates Session, where the official business of the Farm Bureau will take place.
Full convention coverage, including livestreams of the Talent and Queen’s Contest, will be available at https://lfbfconvention.org.