Mississippi Farm Bureau Priority Issues

Agriculture is the backbone of rural economies and much of Mississippi’s economy is derived from farming or farm-related activities. Agriculture and forestry are two of the most important and largest industries in the state today.

PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE

Maintain a viable statewide boll weevil eradication program.

Adequate financial risk protection for Mississippi commodities produced under marketing contracts.

Protection of animal production practices and methods.

Protection of 16th Section property for agriculture lease purposes.

TAXATION

Maintain all producer/agriculture exemptions.

Establish a sales tax exemption for alternative fuels.

Fund education so that the ad valorem taxpayer is not adversely affected.

Oppose unfunded mandates passed down to county governments.

ENVIRONMENT

Adequate funding for the MS Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

Regulatory and legislative issues based only on sound scientific data.

Adequate funding for animal health issues.

Ensure animal waste and fertilizers are not labeled as hazardous waste.

ENERGY

Use alternative energy as a sustainable source of energy.

Procure net metering and interconnectivity.

STATE AGENCIES

We oppose the merging of the Mississippi Forestry Commission with any state agency.

We oppose the merging of the Soil and Water Commission with any state agency.

RESEARCH, EXTENSION & EDUCATION

We urge full support of the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University.

We support keeping the Agricultural Units bugets separate from IHL funding.

The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation 2010 Policy Book, as adopted by the voting delegates on December 7, 2009, remains the binding policy of the organization. The aforementioned legislative priorities are the issues of utmost importance to production agriculture during the current session of the Legislature.