Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
Agricultural News and Information

Knight elected president of Mississippi Farm Bureau

JACKSON – Randy Knight, a dairy farmer from Pelahatchie in Rankin County, has been elected president of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation. Knight is a graduate of Hinds Junior College with a degree in farm management, and attended Mississippi State University, where he studied dairy science. He operates a dairy in Pelahatchie and also runs 400 head of stocker calves and manages several hundred acres of pasture and timberland.

“The 2012 Farm Bill, animal welfare, and our nation’s dwindling farm numbers are just a few of the many challenges that concern our farming community,” said Knight. “I am going to emphasize our Ag in the Classroom Program. We must reach our children at an early age with agriculture’s story. I will strengthen our Young Farmers and Ranchers program because today’s young adults are tomorrow’s agricultural leaders. I will continue to support our ag media campaign because it has proven to be an effective means of educating consumers about agriculture.”

Knight, 48, served a three-year term as president of Rankin County Farm Bureau. He also served on the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Board of Directors for two years and is currently serving his fourth year as MFBF Central Mississippi Vice President. He is a member of Dairy Farmers of America and the Mississippi Cattleman’s Association. He serves on the boards of Grazing Land Management for the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Southeastern United Dairy Association, and the Neshoba County Gin Association.

“I am optimistic about the future of farming, but we can not rest,” said Knight. “We must continue to work together, with an open line of communication between county leaders, state officers and MFBF staff, to ensure that our organization remains strong, representing the interests of all Mississippi farmers for many years to come.”

Knight is an active member of the Shiloh United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Mary, have two daughters.

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The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation is the state's largest general farm organization with more than 204,000 member-families statewide.  There are Farm Bureaus in all 82 counties in Mississippi where agriculture comprises a fundamental part of Mississippi 's economy.  Headquartered in Jackson , the federation is an independent, non-profit agricultural organization and is not associated with any arm of the government.  For more information about Farm Bureau, visit our website at www.msfb.com.