The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest organization representing
farmers and ranchers. It is a private, nonprofit, non-governmental agency established in
1922 to bring a voice to agricultural issues. Through a unified voice, the Farm Bureau
speaks on behalf of farmers and ranchers at the local, state and national level. By
garnering input from farmers and ranchers on specific issues, Farm Bureau attempts to
influence legislation that will enable Louisiana and American agriculture to feed a
growing world. The Louisiana Farm Bureau is part of the American Farm Bureau
Federation, which was established in 1919, and is today the nation’s largest general
farm and ranch organization. The Louisiana Farm Bureau has a membership of nearly
125,000 and includes farmers, ranchers, landowners, agricultural lenders and others who
have a vested interest in the future and prosperity of Louisiana agriculture.
WHAT FARM BUREAU IS NOT:
The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is NOT an insurance company. We have
completely different staff members and purposes of operation. While we share the
same office complex at 9516 Airline Highway in Baton Rouge, the Federation and its
staff make up only a small portion of the daily operations at our state office
headquarters. Although we work closely with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and
Forestry and the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is NOT A
REGULATORY or STATE agency, nor do we compile any statistical crop data. We are a
voluntary organization of farmers and ranchers working to solve problems facing
Louisiana and American agriculture.
HOW FARM BUREAU HELPS FARMERS AND RANCHERS:
At the beginning of the 20th century it was evident that more and more people were
leaving the farm for the city. Innovations such as the automobile, electricity and the
expansion of the nation’s urban centers spelled the decline of what had been known for
nearly 100 years as “the family farm.” As a result, farmers and the important role they
play in feeding and clothing a nation began to lose political and economic clout. A small
group of farmers in Broome County New York organized the first county Farm Bureau in
1918. The ideas put forth by this small group of farmers, that united they could achieve
more than if they stood alone, took hold at the national level. Soon states across the
country were forming their own farm bureaus. Today, the American Farm Bureau has a
national membership of more than 5 million.
HOW FARM BUREAU IS ORGANIZED:
The Louisiana Farm Bureau is made up of volunteer leaders at the local, parish and
statewide level. Each parish has a parish Farm Bureau, with its own president and board
members. Ronnie Anderson currently is state president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau
Federation. Anderson is a cattle producer, forage grower and timber landowner from
Ethel, La. Anderson was first elected in 1988. He is a production farmer who receives no
salary for his Farm Bureau services. Anderson is one of a five-member executive
committee, made up of first, second and third vice presidents and a secretary-treasurer.
Eleven other members, all production farmers, make up the Farm Bureau Board of
Directors. All members of the board and executive committee are elected by voting
delegates sent to the annual Farm Bureau convention in July to vote the wishes of the
local parish farm bureaus. The chair of the Women’s Committee and the Young Farmers
and Ranchers Committee serve on the state board in an ex-offico capacity.
COMMODITY ADVISORY COMMITTEES: FARMERS KNOW BEST:
By seeking farmer input on specific issues, the Louisiana Farm Bureau has built a strong
grassroots infrastructure to take on matters important to agriculture. Our organization
has 18 Commodity Advisory Committees which meet regularly to discuss issues and
make recommendations for change. Every commodity is represented with an advisory
committee; from rice to cotton to wheat, soybeans and corn. These committees draft
policy, then present that policy to the 18-member Farm Bureau Board of Directors. If it is
an issue of national concern, the recommendations are forwarded to the American Farm
Bureau or, in some cases, the issues are discussed directly with members of the state’s
congressional delegation. Louisiana currently has one member on the House Agriculture
Committee (Rep. Rodney Alexander, D-La.).
THE DIVISIONS OF THE LOUISIANA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, INC.:
The Louisiana Farm Bureau has seven major divisions which carry out the day-to-day
monitoring of farming issues, both in Louisiana and nationally.
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS:
Jim Monroe is the Farm Bureau’s assistant to the president. He also is the Farm Bureau’
s Legislative Affairs director. Jim is a 30-year veteran of the Farm Bureau and was raised
on cattle and cotton farm in Gilbert, in Franklin Parish. Jim tracks legislative activities at
the state and local level, working during the Regular Session of the Louisiana
Legislature to bring lawmakers up-to-date on farm-related bills. Jim can be contacted
directly at 225-922-6202.
FIELD SERVICES:
The Farm Bureau has five area field services directors who reside in five areas of the
state and act as liaisons between farmers and the Farm Bureau state office in Baton
Rouge. Nolan Babineaux is the Farm Bureau’s director of Field Services. Nolan also
coordinates Farm Bureau’s membership development program, which seeks to sign up
new farmers to become members of our organization. Nolan can be reached at the state
office at 225-922-6214. Five field service directors are located across the state.
Area 1, in the Northwest part of the state, is served by area field services director Carey
Martin. Area 2, in the Northeast part of the state, is served by area field services director
Tim Payne. Area 3, in the central and Southwest part of the state, is served by area field
services director Raquel Landry. Area 4, in the southern part of the state, is served by
area field services director Julie Baker. Area 5, in the Florida Parishes and the Southeast
part of the state, is served by area field services director Scott Bickham. To contact an
area field services representative, contact Nolan Babineaux at the state office in Baton
Rouge.
Also contained in the Field Services department is the Farm Bureau’s Ag in the
Classroom program. AITC’s mission is to bring the importance of agriculture to the
youth and teachers of Louisiana through ag-related learning programs. Lynda Danos, a
10-year veteran public school science teacher, coordinates the AITC program. Lynda can
be reached at 225-922-6503.
WOMEN’S COMMITTEE AND YOUNG FARMERS & RANCHERS:
Barbara Langley is the assistant director of Field Services. Barbara coordinates the Farm
Bureau Women’s Committee activities, as well as the activities of the Farm Bureau’s
Young Farmers and Ranchers program. Barbara can be reached at 225-922-6213.
MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS:
The Information and Public Relations Department is responsible for telling the farmer’s
story and is headed by Michael Danna. Mike has a degree in journalism from LSU in
Baton Rouge, was a governmental affairs reporter for the Monroe News-Star and is a
contributing writer to The Advocate in Baton Rouge.
The Farm Bureau Radio Network is operated through the PR department and is
managed by Neil Melancon. Currently, 24 radio stations across Louisiana, mostly large
FM stations, carry Farm Bureau programming. Neil can be reached at 225-922-6228.
The Public Relations department also produces the statewide farm television program,
“This Week in Louisiana Agriculture.” The program is produced by Avery Davidson and A.
J. Sabine, both formerly of WAFB-TV Ch. 9 in Baton Rouge. Also with the Public Relations
Department is the Farm Bureau’s Community Outreach Program. The program works to
bring agriculture to consumers through public events, workshops and other activities that
brings awareness of the experience of agriculture first hand.
Lauren Thom is our Creative Director and Community Outreach Manager. She handles
all creatives, media buys, ad campaigns and provides radio Ag Minute segments on
Louisiana radio stations. She is also in charge of all Farm Bureau Federation websites
Lauren can be reached at 225-922-6390. All media calls should be directed to Mike
Danna. Mike can be reached directly at 225-922-6226. His FAX number is 225-922-6349.
COMMODITY DEPARTMENT:
The Farm Bureau’s Commodity Department is responsible for all aspects of farm
commodities and legislation, both state and national, that impact farmers and ranchers.
The department is headed by Dr. Ron Harrell. Ron’s areas of expertise include livestock,
poultry, dairy and aquaculture. Dr. Harrell can be reached at 225-922-6211. Kyle McCann
is one of the Farm Bureau’s two associate commodity directors. Kyle tracks issues
dealing with rice, wheat, soybeans, corn and forestry, as well as national legislative
affairs. Kyle also is the Farm Bureau’s representative on the Louisiana Water Advisory
Task Force. Kyle can be reached at 225-922-6209. Brian Breaux, our other associate
commodity director, is responsible for issues dealing with sugar, cotton, sweet potatoes
and minor crops such as fruits and vegetables. Brian can be reached at 225-922-6210.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND SAFETY:
The Farm Bureau has programs in place to help farmers better manage their soil and
water resources, while helping them to work safely and efficiently. Wendell Miley is the
Farm Bureau’s director of Safety and Natural Resources. Wendell conducts on-farm
safety programs throughout the year and maintains the state’s only farm-accident and
farm-fatality registry. Wendell also is the department’s environmental affairs
coordinator, as well as the Farm Bureau’s equipment training director. Wendell is a
certified four-wheeler and ATV instructor, as well as a Red Cross certified CPR instructor
and first-responder. Wendell can be reached at 225-922-6208.
MARKETING:
The Farm Bureau Marketing Division buys and sells grain. David Bollich is the Farm
Bureau’s grain marketing specialist. David tracks daily trends in the commodity markets
and keeps tabs on national crop reports. David is a veteran grain trader who
understands how commodity markets work. He also tracks trends in Louisiana’s planted
acres for soybeans, wheat, milo, corn and rice. David can be reached at 225-922-6300.
The Farm Bureau also operates a rice marketing office in Crowley. Rice marketing
specialist Mark Tall heads up the Crowley office. Mark can be reached at 1-800-835-
7423.
For information about any and all Farm Bureau programs, contact the state office at 225-
922-6200.
farmers and ranchers. It is a private, nonprofit, non-governmental agency established in
1922 to bring a voice to agricultural issues. Through a unified voice, the Farm Bureau
speaks on behalf of farmers and ranchers at the local, state and national level. By
garnering input from farmers and ranchers on specific issues, Farm Bureau attempts to
influence legislation that will enable Louisiana and American agriculture to feed a
growing world. The Louisiana Farm Bureau is part of the American Farm Bureau
Federation, which was established in 1919, and is today the nation’s largest general
farm and ranch organization. The Louisiana Farm Bureau has a membership of nearly
125,000 and includes farmers, ranchers, landowners, agricultural lenders and others who
have a vested interest in the future and prosperity of Louisiana agriculture.
WHAT FARM BUREAU IS NOT:
The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is NOT an insurance company. We have
completely different staff members and purposes of operation. While we share the
same office complex at 9516 Airline Highway in Baton Rouge, the Federation and its
staff make up only a small portion of the daily operations at our state office
headquarters. Although we work closely with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and
Forestry and the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is NOT A
REGULATORY or STATE agency, nor do we compile any statistical crop data. We are a
voluntary organization of farmers and ranchers working to solve problems facing
Louisiana and American agriculture.
HOW FARM BUREAU HELPS FARMERS AND RANCHERS:
At the beginning of the 20th century it was evident that more and more people were
leaving the farm for the city. Innovations such as the automobile, electricity and the
expansion of the nation’s urban centers spelled the decline of what had been known for
nearly 100 years as “the family farm.” As a result, farmers and the important role they
play in feeding and clothing a nation began to lose political and economic clout. A small
group of farmers in Broome County New York organized the first county Farm Bureau in
1918. The ideas put forth by this small group of farmers, that united they could achieve
more than if they stood alone, took hold at the national level. Soon states across the
country were forming their own farm bureaus. Today, the American Farm Bureau has a
national membership of more than 5 million.
HOW FARM BUREAU IS ORGANIZED:
The Louisiana Farm Bureau is made up of volunteer leaders at the local, parish and
statewide level. Each parish has a parish Farm Bureau, with its own president and board
members. Ronnie Anderson currently is state president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau
Federation. Anderson is a cattle producer, forage grower and timber landowner from
Ethel, La. Anderson was first elected in 1988. He is a production farmer who receives no
salary for his Farm Bureau services. Anderson is one of a five-member executive
committee, made up of first, second and third vice presidents and a secretary-treasurer.
Eleven other members, all production farmers, make up the Farm Bureau Board of
Directors. All members of the board and executive committee are elected by voting
delegates sent to the annual Farm Bureau convention in July to vote the wishes of the
local parish farm bureaus. The chair of the Women’s Committee and the Young Farmers
and Ranchers Committee serve on the state board in an ex-offico capacity.
COMMODITY ADVISORY COMMITTEES: FARMERS KNOW BEST:
By seeking farmer input on specific issues, the Louisiana Farm Bureau has built a strong
grassroots infrastructure to take on matters important to agriculture. Our organization
has 18 Commodity Advisory Committees which meet regularly to discuss issues and
make recommendations for change. Every commodity is represented with an advisory
committee; from rice to cotton to wheat, soybeans and corn. These committees draft
policy, then present that policy to the 18-member Farm Bureau Board of Directors. If it is
an issue of national concern, the recommendations are forwarded to the American Farm
Bureau or, in some cases, the issues are discussed directly with members of the state’s
congressional delegation. Louisiana currently has one member on the House Agriculture
Committee (Rep. Rodney Alexander, D-La.).
THE DIVISIONS OF THE LOUISIANA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, INC.:
The Louisiana Farm Bureau has seven major divisions which carry out the day-to-day
monitoring of farming issues, both in Louisiana and nationally.
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS:
Jim Monroe is the Farm Bureau’s assistant to the president. He also is the Farm Bureau’
s Legislative Affairs director. Jim is a 30-year veteran of the Farm Bureau and was raised
on cattle and cotton farm in Gilbert, in Franklin Parish. Jim tracks legislative activities at
the state and local level, working during the Regular Session of the Louisiana
Legislature to bring lawmakers up-to-date on farm-related bills. Jim can be contacted
directly at 225-922-6202.
FIELD SERVICES:
The Farm Bureau has five area field services directors who reside in five areas of the
state and act as liaisons between farmers and the Farm Bureau state office in Baton
Rouge. Nolan Babineaux is the Farm Bureau’s director of Field Services. Nolan also
coordinates Farm Bureau’s membership development program, which seeks to sign up
new farmers to become members of our organization. Nolan can be reached at the state
office at 225-922-6214. Five field service directors are located across the state.
Area 1, in the Northwest part of the state, is served by area field services director Carey
Martin. Area 2, in the Northeast part of the state, is served by area field services director
Tim Payne. Area 3, in the central and Southwest part of the state, is served by area field
services director Raquel Landry. Area 4, in the southern part of the state, is served by
area field services director Julie Baker. Area 5, in the Florida Parishes and the Southeast
part of the state, is served by area field services director Scott Bickham. To contact an
area field services representative, contact Nolan Babineaux at the state office in Baton
Rouge.
Also contained in the Field Services department is the Farm Bureau’s Ag in the
Classroom program. AITC’s mission is to bring the importance of agriculture to the
youth and teachers of Louisiana through ag-related learning programs. Lynda Danos, a
10-year veteran public school science teacher, coordinates the AITC program. Lynda can
be reached at 225-922-6503.
WOMEN’S COMMITTEE AND YOUNG FARMERS & RANCHERS:
Barbara Langley is the assistant director of Field Services. Barbara coordinates the Farm
Bureau Women’s Committee activities, as well as the activities of the Farm Bureau’s
Young Farmers and Ranchers program. Barbara can be reached at 225-922-6213.
MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS:
The Information and Public Relations Department is responsible for telling the farmer’s
story and is headed by Michael Danna. Mike has a degree in journalism from LSU in
Baton Rouge, was a governmental affairs reporter for the Monroe News-Star and is a
contributing writer to The Advocate in Baton Rouge.
The Farm Bureau Radio Network is operated through the PR department and is
managed by Neil Melancon. Currently, 24 radio stations across Louisiana, mostly large
FM stations, carry Farm Bureau programming. Neil can be reached at 225-922-6228.
The Public Relations department also produces the statewide farm television program,
“This Week in Louisiana Agriculture.” The program is produced by Avery Davidson and A.
J. Sabine, both formerly of WAFB-TV Ch. 9 in Baton Rouge. Also with the Public Relations
Department is the Farm Bureau’s Community Outreach Program. The program works to
bring agriculture to consumers through public events, workshops and other activities that
brings awareness of the experience of agriculture first hand.
Lauren Thom is our Creative Director and Community Outreach Manager. She handles
all creatives, media buys, ad campaigns and provides radio Ag Minute segments on
Louisiana radio stations. She is also in charge of all Farm Bureau Federation websites
Lauren can be reached at 225-922-6390. All media calls should be directed to Mike
Danna. Mike can be reached directly at 225-922-6226. His FAX number is 225-922-6349.
COMMODITY DEPARTMENT:
The Farm Bureau’s Commodity Department is responsible for all aspects of farm
commodities and legislation, both state and national, that impact farmers and ranchers.
The department is headed by Dr. Ron Harrell. Ron’s areas of expertise include livestock,
poultry, dairy and aquaculture. Dr. Harrell can be reached at 225-922-6211. Kyle McCann
is one of the Farm Bureau’s two associate commodity directors. Kyle tracks issues
dealing with rice, wheat, soybeans, corn and forestry, as well as national legislative
affairs. Kyle also is the Farm Bureau’s representative on the Louisiana Water Advisory
Task Force. Kyle can be reached at 225-922-6209. Brian Breaux, our other associate
commodity director, is responsible for issues dealing with sugar, cotton, sweet potatoes
and minor crops such as fruits and vegetables. Brian can be reached at 225-922-6210.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND SAFETY:
The Farm Bureau has programs in place to help farmers better manage their soil and
water resources, while helping them to work safely and efficiently. Wendell Miley is the
Farm Bureau’s director of Safety and Natural Resources. Wendell conducts on-farm
safety programs throughout the year and maintains the state’s only farm-accident and
farm-fatality registry. Wendell also is the department’s environmental affairs
coordinator, as well as the Farm Bureau’s equipment training director. Wendell is a
certified four-wheeler and ATV instructor, as well as a Red Cross certified CPR instructor
and first-responder. Wendell can be reached at 225-922-6208.
MARKETING:
The Farm Bureau Marketing Division buys and sells grain. David Bollich is the Farm
Bureau’s grain marketing specialist. David tracks daily trends in the commodity markets
and keeps tabs on national crop reports. David is a veteran grain trader who
understands how commodity markets work. He also tracks trends in Louisiana’s planted
acres for soybeans, wheat, milo, corn and rice. David can be reached at 225-922-6300.
The Farm Bureau also operates a rice marketing office in Crowley. Rice marketing
specialist Mark Tall heads up the Crowley office. Mark can be reached at 1-800-835-
7423.
For information about any and all Farm Bureau programs, contact the state office at 225-
922-6200.
About the Louisiana Farm Bureau
OUR HOME. The state office of the
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
is located on Airline Highway in
Baton Rouge.
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
is located on Airline Highway in
Baton Rouge.
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture
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