Delta News TV, Greenville
Delta Council 91st annual meeting
By Jay Fletcher
Delta farmers and agriculture leaders gathered in Stoneville today as many producers continue facing economic uncertainty. the Delta Council held its 91st annual meeting, with state and national leaders discussing farm costs, the economy, and the next farm bill. Jay Fletcher has more.
The Delta Council held its 91st annual meeting Friday in Stoneville, bringing together farmers, business leaders, and elected officials from across the delta.
This year’s meeting comes as farmers continue dealing with high costs, uncertainty in the farm economy, and concerns over the next farm bill.
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith told the crowd agriculture remains one of Mississippi's most important industries, and said producers need support from Washington to keep operating.
Hyde-Smith: "Farmers are facing some serious circumstances right now, and it is so good to have an organization as solid as the delta council to be your resource, to be your adviser,"
Mississippi agriculture commissioner Andy Gipson spoke about the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy and the role delta farmers play in feeding the country.
Gipson: "Hey, folks, I'm Andy Gibson here at the delta council. What a beautiful day god has given us. We were honored to celebrate agriculture here in the delta and thank all our farmers out here. This place is full of farmers who grow our food and fiber every single day. Thank you. God bless you."
The keynote speaker was congressman Glen "GT" Thompson, chairman of the house agriculture committee. Thompson discussed work on the next farm bill and said he believes congress must provide more certainty for America's farmers.
Thompson: "Agriculture, the number one industry, it’s certainly number one industry here in Mississippi. My home state is Pennsylvania. They're one industry in and the number one in the nation. so there's never been a better time for a great transformational farm bill. And we just happen to have one right now, the farm food and national security act."
Two scholarships were awarded this year, one to a student from Riverside High and the other to a student from Greenville Christian school.