Public Policy Department

Today, less than 3 percent of the population of the U.S. are farmers. Tremendous technological strides have released more and more people from the task of growing food and fiber, allowing them to seek other professions. Their understanding of farm life grows smaller with each generation. The challenge facing farmers in their continued efforts to maintain state and national legislation that is favorable and economically sound for rural America has never been greater.

That is why Farm Bureau's Public Policy efforts are so important. The best legislative influence comes from informed, concerned farm families communicating their beliefs to their elected representatives. Farm Bureau's role on both the state and national level is to keep members informed with good and factual information concerning Farm Bureau policies and farm issues.

During the legislative sessions, regular reports on the status of agricultural bills affecting farm families are made available through the weekly newsletter, Capitol Comments. Timely advice is usually given in these newsletters on action needed at a given time.

National News Updates are published as needed during the year and provide information relative to the state of issues on a national scale.

Without public support of farm policies, getting favorable legislation passed in the state legislature or the National Congress is nearly impossible. But with sound policies that appeal to the masses, the job can be done.

Function

The Public Policy Department coordinates the implementation of Farm Bureau policy on the state and national level. This includes conducting and maintaining contact in the state and national legislative arena as well as regulatory entities that govern our laws. Our purpose is to develop and implement a program that mobilizes the full resources of the organization in the counties of the state in support of Farm Bureau policy as determined by the voting delegates.

The Public Policy Department is responsible for monitoring the impact of government actions on agriculture and for speaking to elected and appointed officials in a timely, effective and united voice. Also, contact is maintained on a routine basis with Congress, the State Legislature, and regulatory/governmental agencies. The Public Policy Department works with the American Farm Bureau and other Farm Bureau staff to assist them in their effort to have maximum impact on actions of government.

Activities

The Public Policy Department organizes the annual Washington D.C. trip held in early spring every year. Over a hundred Farm Bureau members practice "grassroots lobbying" by attending various functions including meeting the state's congressional delegation to meeting with various agencies on timely Farm Bureau interest. Public Policy also hosts county Farm Bureaus, Women's Committee members, and Young Farmer and Rancher Program visits at the State Capital each year.

The Public Policy Department interacts with membership by publishing pertinent information in Capital Comments, Mississippi Farm Country Magazine, and other timely bulletins. Capitol Comments is printed weekly during legislative sessions and reports on the status of bills in the State Legislature affecting Farm Bureau.

One of the distinguishing features between Farm Bureau and most other organizations is the "grassroots" philosophy in developing Farm Bureau policy. Through the Farm Bureau structure beginning at the county level and proceeding through the state and national levels, producers annually evaluate the problems of agriculture and rural living and make recommendations to formulate Farm Bureau policy. In the fall of each year, the Public Policy Department carries out a series of policy development meetings held throughout the state in order for members to review Farm Bureau's actions and policies. Ideas brought forth in these meetings form resolutions in counties that are forwarded to the state Farm Bureau for consideration at the Resolutions Meeting held at the beginning of November.

Farm Bureau presidents from all 82 counties will convene to discuss these resolutions. Once the resolutions have been favorably voted on by the presidents, they are sent to the voting delegate floor at the annual convention. Resolutions then must pass the voting delegate body in order to become official policy governing the officers and staff of Farm Bureau.

Legislative District Maps

The Mississippi Legislature has drawn districts for all Senators and Representatives. This must be done after each census. The district maps are available here.

For details on what House District in which you reside click here

For details on what Senate District in which you reside click here

Voter Registration

In order to participate in elections in Mississippi one must be registered to vote. A form to do that and instructions on where to mail it are available here. More info>>

Important Links

U.S. Congress Legislative Information
Misssissippi Legislative Information

Staff

Samantha Cawthorn (Public Policy Director)
601-977-4020

Whittington, Andy (Environmental Coordinator)
601-977-4238

Billy Brake (Legal Research Coordinator)
601-977-4229

United States Senators

The Honorable Thad Cochran (R-MS)
United States Senate
113 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-5054
Fax: 202-224-9450
Web site: www.cochran.senate.gov
E-mail: senator@cochran.senate.gov

District Offices

188 E. Capitol Street, Suite 614 911 East Jackson Avenue, Ste. 249
Jackson, MS 39201 Oxford, MS 38655
Phone: 601-965-4459 Phone: 662-236-1018
Fax: 601-965-4919 Fax: 662-236-7618

14094 Customs Blvd., Suite 201
Gulfport, MS 39503
Phone: 601-867-9710

The Honorable Roger Wicker (R-MS)
United States Senate
487 Russell Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-6253
Fax: 202-228-0378
Web site: http://wicker.senate.gov/public/

District Offices

245 E. Capitol Street, Suite 226 3118 Pascagoula Street, Suite 179
Jackson, MS 39201 Pascagoula, MS 39567
Phone: (601)965-4644 Phone: (228)762-5400
Fax: (601)965-4007 Fax: (228)762-0137

452 Courthouse Road, Suite F Post Office Box 3777
Gulfport, MS 39507 Tupelo, MS 38803
Phone: (228)604-2383 Phone: (662)844-5010
Fax: (228)896-4359 Fax: (662)844-5030

2601 Elm Street, Suite 6
Post Office Box 385
Hernando, MS 38632
Phone: (662)429-1002
Fax: (662)429-6002

United States Representatives

The Honorable Travis Childers (D-MS)
1st Congressional District
United States House of Representatives
1708 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: 202-225-4306
Fax: 202-225-3549
Web site: www.childers.house.gov
E-mail: www.house.gov/writerep/

District Offices

108B East Main Street 2564 Highway 51 South
Tupelo, MS 38802 Hernando, MS 38632
Phone: 662-844-5437 Phone: 662-449-3090
Fax: 662-449-4836

523 Main Street 1360 Sunset Drive, Ste. 2
Columbus, MS 39701 Grenada, MS 38901
Phone: 662-327-0748 Phone: 662-294-1321

The Honorable Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
2nd Congressional District
United States House of Representatives
2432 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20515
Phone: 202-225-5876
Fax: 202-225-5898
Web site: www.house.gov/thompson/
E-mail: ms2nd@hr.house.gov

District Offices

107 West Madison St. 509 Highway 82 West
Bolton, MS 39041 Greenwood, MS 38930
Phone: 800-355-9003 Phone: 662-455-9003
Phone: 601-866-9003 Fax: 662-453-0118
Fax: 601-866-9036

P.O. Box 679
106 Green Avenue, Suite 106 P.O. Box 356
Mound Bayou, MS 38762 Marks, MS 38646
Phone: 662-741-9003 Phone: 662-326-9003
Fax: 662-741-9002

910 Courthouse Lane 3607 Medgar Evers Blvd.
Greenville, MS 38701 Jackson, MS 39213
Phone: 662-335-9003 Phone: 601-946-9003
Fax: 662-334-1304 Fax: 601-982-5337

The Honorable Gregg Harper (R-MS)
3rd Congressional District
United States House of Representatives
307 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2403
Phone: 202-225-5031
Fax: 202-225-5797
E-mail: www.house.gov/writerep/

District Offices

1 Research Blvd., Ste. 206 823 22nd Avenue .
Starkville, MS 39759 Meridian, MS 39301
Phone: 662-324-0007 Phone: 601-693-6681
Fax: 662-324-0033 Fax: 601-693-1801

110-D Airport Road 230 Whitworth St.
Pearl, MS 39208 Brookhaven, MS 39601
Phone: 601-932-2410 Phone: 601-823-3400
Fax: 601-965-4598 Fax: 601-823-5512

The Honorable Gene Taylor (D-MS)
4th Congressional District
United States House of Representatives
2269 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: 202-225-5772
Fax: 202-225-7074
Web site: www.house.gov/genetaylor/
E-mail: www.house.gov/writerep/

District Offices

2424 14th Street 701 Main Street, Suite 215 527 Central Ave.
Gulfport, MS 39501 Hattiesburg, MS 39401 Laurel, MS 39440
Phone: 228-864-7670 Phone: 601-582-3246 Phone: 601-425-3905
Fax: 228-864-3099 Fax: 601-582-3452 Fax: 601-425-3906

2900-B Government Street 412 Highway 90, Suite 8
Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
Phone: 228-872-7950 Phone: 228-469-9235
Fax: 228-872-7949 Fax: 228-469-9291