Swindolls, from left, Chase, Deniese, Tommy, Kim and Patrick. 1 4 M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y J U L Y / A U G U S T
Family <strong>Farm</strong>ers By Glynda Phillips Tommy Swindoll and his family take time from their busy northwest <strong>Mississippi</strong> row crop operation to participate in a variety of <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> programs. They believe in the organization and what it accomplishes each year for <strong>Mississippi</strong> agriculture. “We love <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong>,” said Tommy, who has farmed in the upper <strong>Mississippi</strong> Delta since 1976. “It means a lot to farmers, and we want it to remain strong well into the future. That’s why we participate.” “It’s great to have an organization where everyone has the same passion and interests, because not everyone understands about farming,” Patrick said. Tommy is president of the DeSoto County <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> and has served on the <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> <strong>Federation</strong> (MFBF) Board of Directors. Deniese is chair of the District One Women’s Committee and chair of the DeSoto County <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> Women’s Committee. Patrick, his wife Kim and his brother Chase are participants in the DeSoto County Young <strong>Farm</strong>ers and Ranchers (YF&R) program. Patrick serves as chair of that committee and has also served a term as chair of the State YF&R Committee. Kim is co-chair of the DeSoto County <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> Women’s Committee. MORE THAN INSURANCE When Tommy and Deniese joined <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> back in 1980, they weren’t aware of the many programs that it had to offer. They thought <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> was just an insurance company. “Like a lot of other farmers around here, we joined for the insurance. We didn’t understand what <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> was about,” Tommy said. “It wasn’t until I began to serve on the county board in 1990 that I began to see that there are other programs that are just as important. “For example, if more <strong>Mississippi</strong> farmers were aware of our Public Policy program and how much clout <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> has in the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Legislature, every single one of them would join,” he said. “<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> is our best and strongest voice on issues that matter to everyone. Eminent domain is a good example.” Urban encroachment and a lack of good, available farmland is a challenge that faces many farmers, especially those in DeSoto County and neighboring Tunica and Tate Counties, where the Swindolls also farm. “Eminent domain was a very big issue for <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> this session,” Tommy said. “We worked hard to get the word around that <strong>Mississippi</strong> needs strong laws protecting the rights of private property owners. We got a bill passed, but it was vetoed by the M a k e A D i f f e r e n c e governor. We will continue to work hard on eminent domain.” Right to farm is another important issue. “People are moving into this area from Memphis,” Tommy said. “We welcome them as neighbors as long as they respect our rights as farmers. We were here first, many of us for generations. Luckily, <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> was successful this legislative session in getting a strong right-to-farm law passed and signed into law.” AG IN THE CLASSROOM The importance of teaching the consuming public to appreciate farmers brings up another important <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> program … Ag in the Classroom. “Ag in the Classroom is one of our best programs for educating children about agriculture,” Deniese said. “That’s why I’m involved in <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong>. I want people to understand that farmers are more than important, they are essential.” Deniese, who has a degree in Social Work from Delta State University, has often worked with children. She says it’s amazing the misconceptions that kids – and even adults – have about agriculture. “They think that chocolate milk comes from brown cows or that food just miraculously appears on grocery store shelves,” she said. “And they believe that all farms are alike. “<strong>Farm</strong>ing is diverse and broad,” she said. “Yes, my family farms. No, we don’t have cows and horses. We are row crop farmers. We grow rice, corn, soybeans, wheat and milo. We have challenges that are unique to row crop farmers. We also have challenges that are unique to row crop farmers in this area of the state.” Patrick can’t wait for a <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong>-sponsored agricultural image program to gear up later this year. He serves on the program’s steering committee. “Agriculture desperately needs a program like this,” he said. “We need to show consumers how important agriculture is in their daily lives and to the economies of our small towns.” YOUNG FARMERS Keeping young adults involved and interested in <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> is something that is also important to Patrick, Kim and Chase. “There’s a period of time between when young farmers serve on their county or state Young <strong>Farm</strong>ers and Ranchers committees and when they are allowed to serve on some county boards,” Patrick said. “There’s a gap there. Some young people lose interest. We need to keep them involved and interested.” J U L Y / A U G U S T M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y 1 5
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