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Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
Agricultural News and Information
Greg Gibson, Coordinator
Public Relations / Multimedia
1-800-227-8244 ext. 4154
or 601-977-4154
email: ggibson@msfb.org
Tabbs win State Young Farmer Achievement Award
Jackson – Bill Ryan and Leslie Tabb of Cleveland have been named
the winner of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer
and Rancher Achievement Award for 2006. The Tabbs operate a 5200-acre
family farm consisting of 900 acres of rice, 4000 acres of soybeans, and
600 acres of wheat / soybeans that are double cropped. They own 575 acres
which they have had precision leveled to increase efficiency of their
equipment, reduce fuel costs, and conserve water. They consider their
farm a conservation farm and they try to make constant improvements to
make their farm more environmentally friendly.
Tabb says that keeping agriculture strong keeps the delta region of the
state strong. “Agriculture is really the only sustainable industry
in the delta right now,” said Tabb. “If agriculture struggles,
it’s not just the farmers who struggle. The car dealerships, the
store owners, everybody struggles. That’s why I’m so interested
in the political side of farming. To keep the delta strong so I can stay
here and raise my family.”
Tabb has made many changes and improvements in the operation including
planting early maturing varieties of soybeans so they will be ready for
harvest during a more favorable time of year. This practice increases
yields, while decreasing costs, insect pressure and irrigation needs.
Tabb has held numerous positions in the county Farm Bureau and is currently
County President . He has also served as a voting delegate to the state
convention, on the state board of directors, and as Young Farmer &
Rancher Chairman.
Bill Ryan’s wife Leslie is a nurse at the local hospital and they
have two children, 7 year old Collins and Annsley, who is 3.
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