mississippi farm country magazine gavin, laurel terry b. estis, lucedale tom daniels, gulfport dott...

PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS& OTHER PRIORITY ISSUES

FeaturesCONTENTS MISSISSIPPI FARMCOUNTRY

Volume 85 Number 1January/February 2009

EDITORGlynda Phillips

Graphic Arts CoordinatorDanielle Ginn

Department AssistantAngela Thompson

FARM BUREAU OFFICERSPresident -- David Waide

Vice President - Donald GantVice President - Randy KnightVice President - Reggie Magee

Treasurer - Billy DavisCorporate Secretary - Ilene Sumrall

FARM BUREAU DIRECTORSDr. Jim Perkins, Iuka

Kevin Simpson, AshlandPaul Briscoe, Oxford

Bill Ryan Tabb, ClevelandMike Ferguson, SenatobiaDan L. Bishop, BaldwynL.C. Sanders, HamiltonDoss Brodnax, StarkvilleBetty Mills, Winona

Weldon Harris, KosciuskoKenneth Thompson, Philadelphia

Max Anderson, DecaturJames Ford, TaylorsvilleMark Chaney, VicksburgJeff Mullins, MeadvilleBill Pigott, Tylertown

E.A. “Pud” Stringer, FoxworthWendell Gavin, LaurelTerry B. Estis, LucedaleTom Daniels, GulfportDott Arthur, CarthageBrad Woods, Columbia

HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTSLouis J. Breaux, David H. Bennett, and

Warren Oakley

Mississippi Farm Country (ISSN 1529-9600) magazine is published bimonthly by the

*Mississippi Farm Bureau® Federation.

EDITORIAL AND BUSINESS OFFICES6311 Ridgewood RoadJackson, MS 39211

TELEPHONE601.977.4153

ADVERTISINGCall Paul Hurst at1.800.397.8908

Farm Bureau members receive this publication as part of their membership benefit. Periodicals

postage is paid at Jackson, MS, and at additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to P. O. Box 1972, Jackson, MS 39215.

*FARM BUREAU®, FB® and all Farm Bureau Logos used in thismagazine are registered service marks owned by the AmericanFarm Bureau Federation. They may not be used in anycommercial manner without the prior written consent of theAmerican Farm Bureau Federation.

Material in this publication is based on what the editor believesto be reliable information. Neither Mississippi Farm BureauFederation nor those individuals or organizations contributingto the MFBF publication assume any liability for errors that mightgo undetected in the publication - this includes statements inarticles or advertisements that could lead to erroneous personalor business management decisions.

ABOUT THE COVERLand is important to Perry Meyers. Lately, the Jackson County farmer has beenthinking about eminent domain and his rights as a Mississippi property owner. Read his story on pages 8-9.

Departments

FeaturesPRIORITY ISSUES Farm Bureau’s 2009 priority issues include private property rights, the right to farm, and animal agriculture. Come with us as we learn more.

SOLVE THE MYSTERYThe remains of this antebellum home, dating back to 1861, can be found 10 miles west of Port Gibson. Read the clues and make your guess.

RURAL LIVINGIn this issue, we visit the town of Kiln in Hancock County. We also learn about a book featuring photographs of our nation’s farmers. Finally, we visit a Collins ranch that helped a Louisiana cattleman after Hurricane Ike.

Departments4 President’s Message

6 Commodity Update: Swine

7 Commodity Update: Catfish

22 Counselor’s Corner

31 FB Member Benefits

4

20

24

JANUA R Y / F E B R U A R Y M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y 3

Our Legislative Agenda:What We Do Best

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

his issue of Mississippi FarmCountry is focused around what Ithink Mississippi Farm Bureau

Federation does best, our legislative agenda.This is the very best reason a member of FarmBureau could have for paying the small priceof a membership.

The Public Policy Department is alwaysattuned to what is happening in theMississippi Legislature as well as our nationalCongress. In addition to that, our staff closelyfollows the actions of the individualagricultural regulators. The responses madeare strictly along the policy guidelines thatour members put into place in December ofevery year.

The most effective representation thatagriculture and rural Mississippi have inputting their policies in place is through whatour Public Policy area does with thelegislative branch and all of the regulatorswho are involved one way or another withagriculture. It is the most effective way thatFarm Bureau members have of seeing thattheir ideas are represented.

It is so simple to have a resolution broughtthrough the resolutions process. If it has merit,is a benefit to agricultural producers and is inthe best interest of consumers, it is generallyplaced in the policy book. I know of no otheropportunity that an individual citizen hasto have such an effective lobby for such asmall price.

PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTSSince the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled

against what I believe to be our foundingfathers’ idea of the right to own land thatcannot be taken for any reason other than atrue public use, eminent domain has surfacedas the most important issue facing Mississippi

farms today. The Kelo vs. New London, CTcase certainly focused our attention on the factthat we cannot be assured the right to ownproperty without the fear of governmenttaking it for economic development use.

While the Kelo case is a classic example ofthings that can go wrong, it is also anexample of what happens when greed stepsin. The fact that the land was taken throughthe eminent domain process and neverdeveloped has caused the city of NewLondon, Connecticut, a huge loss of revenueregarding ad valorem taxes.

While I have a hard time feeling sorry for agovernmental entity that acts in such a waythat disregards our individual rights, it is themotivating factor behind our attempting to getprivate property legislation passed to ensureour members of what they have alwaysbelieved – that land cannot be taken foranything but a true public use.

OTHER ISSUESIn addition to private property rights being

an important legislative initiative for nextyear, two other issues will certainly beprevalent in the coming legislative session.They are animal rights and the right to farm.

While agriculturists are always concernedabout these two issues, it should be a concernthat the general public has as well. We havealways taken for granted the ability we haveto produce an abundant, safe food supply.These two issues could change the dynamicsof what we always believed were ourinalienable rights.

Farmers are the best animal husbandmenI know. They certainly realize that animalsthat are malnourished or not properly caredfor are not profitable animals. While thereare challenges everywhere now regarding

animal rights, the consuming public has tobe aware that we need to see that bestmanagement practices are followed as wecontinue to produce this nation’s food supply.

The accepted methods of production byfarmers are always those methods that arecarefully researched and implemented,usually by work that has been done by theland-grant system. This is critically importantbecause it means that these practices havebeen developed over a period of time. Theyhave been time-tried and panic-tested. For usto not be able to enact this kind of legislationin Mississippi is something beyond belief.

Time will tell whether or not we can besuccessful. With the help of the volunteerleadership and the consuming public, we willbe able to protect the ability a farmer has tofarm in a manner consistent with theregulatory authorities and consistent withwhat is considered by our land-grantinstitutions to be best management practicesin raising livestock and row crops.

MAKE A DIFFERENCEAs you read through this issue of

Mississippi Farm Country, I hope you willtake the time to not just read but digest theinformation it contains. I hope you will alsotake the time to interact with your legislatorsto let them know, as a consumer or a farmer,that you believe the sovereignty of this nationdepends upon the ability we have to continueproducing abundant, high-quality food andseeing that this nation be made energyindependent.

As we go through the process of trying toprotect a farmer’s rights and an individual’sright to own property, call those individualsyou elect every four years and let them knowhow you feel about these issues.

TBy David Waide • President, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation

4 M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y J A N UA R Y / F E B R U A R Y

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Challenges for Mississippi pork producers over the past ten yearshave included record low markets in 1998 and 1999, environmentalregulations and public concerns about production practices, feed andequipment supply challenges, herd health issues, consumer demand,animal and premis ID, food safety, country of origin labelingrequirements, record high grain and protein expenses, issues ofanimal welfare concerns from the public, increased operating costsdue mainly to fuel costs, and the loss of local market access.

An outsider might ask why pork producers continue to raise pigs.Other than a true love of working with pigs and providing quality porkto nourish consumers, there may not be a good economic reason tocontinue doing so.

PRODUCTION COSTSSimilar to other livestock and poultry industries, the Mississippi

Swine Industry in 2008 has experienced increased production costswith marginal market prices. In spite of the loss of local market accessin 2007, Mississippi pork producers have worked together to marketpigs, even though the distance to markets and the transport costs havegreatly increased.

The largest cash cost of producing pigs is feed cost. Record highcosts of grain, protein supplement, and other feed ingredients have alsocontributed to the economic loss incurred by pork producers.

The Mississippi Pork Industry produced about 412,000 pigs in 2007,which is a decline in total pig numbers from the past five years(2002-2006, 470,000). Under the current economic conditions, porkproducers are studying ways to remain economically competitive,which may force a reduction or a total elimination of production.

Domestic pork demand has softened due to tight consumer budgetsand competition for consumer dollars from fuel, mortgage, utilities,general food items, and other economic concerns. The good news forthe swine industry in 2008 has been the expansion of pork exports.

Chris Hurt, an agricultural economist at Purdue University, reportsthat pork exports grew by 68 percent in the first half of 2008. USDAestimates for 2008 pork exports may reach 23 percent of U.S. porkproduction. The National Pork Board reports that one in every fourpounds of pork traded around the world originates from the U.S.Without the strong export demand, pork producers certainly would haveexperienced a more rapid loss of income.

ANIMAL WELFAREThe livestock industries have had their share of hot issues over the

past year, and animal welfare has been one of them. In California,Proposition 2 was put on the ballot for voters to determine the mannerin which animals and layers can be housed.

With growing input from consumers or groups representing animalrights attempting to legislate production practices on U.S. farms,producers often are placed in a position to bear the economic burdenof regulatory changes.The use of producer resources to defendnormal, acceptable production practices diminishes resources forresearch to better the efficiency and quality of products produced thatconsumers desire.

In order to address food retailers and consumer concerns, the NationalPork Board coordinated the development and implementation of thePQA Plus program. The National Pork Board introduced the PQA Plusprogram at the World Pork Expo in June 2007. This program combinedtwo previous NPB programs – PQA and Swine Welfare.

Under the PQΑ Plus program, producers are trained and certified thatthey are accountable to produce pigs in a responsible manner in order toprovide food safety and animal handling assurances to customers,including restaurants, food retailers and consumers, and to assureconsumers that they are purchasing the highest quality, safest productpossible and that the animals were raised with care for their wellbeing.

Swine welfare concerns are addressed by this program witheventually an on-farm assessment of the housing conditions andproduction practices utilized on the farm. Once the farm site has beenassessed, that farm site is subject to a random third party assessmentto ensure the integrity of the program and address issues that may needimprovement. In Mississippi, pork producers are being trained and siteassessments will begin prior to year’s end.

FUTURE LEADERThe Mississippi Pork Producers Association selected Cooper

Brookshire to represent Mississippi this year at the Pork LeadershipAcademy, a program sponsored by the National Pork Board.

Brookshire is a student at Mississippi State University enrolled inthe College of Veterinary Medicine. Brookshire is an outstandingstudent who has developed an interest in the pork industry. He willrank high as a leader of tomorrow.

CHALLENGES IN 2009In 2009, Mississippi pork producers will likely face additional

challenges, but Mississippi pork producers are innovative and willingto adapt to changes in the industry. Mississippi pork producers gainsatisfaction knowing they help feed the world and strive to raisequality pork while enjoying the benefits of a hard day’s work.

Quality pork products start with good, quality pigs being raised onthe farm.This article was written by Dr. Mark Crenshaw, Mississippi StateUniversity Extension Swine Specialist.

SWINELarry Brewer

COMMODITY UPDATE


2008 Swine Industry ReportBob Power, MFBF Swine Advisory Committee ChairLarry Brewer, MFBF Commodity Coordinator for Swine

The catfish industry is going through some of the toughest times ithas ever faced. High input costs such as feed, electricity, propane,gasoline and diesel fuel, coupled with average pond bank prices, areforcing many producers out of business.

The price of feed is responsible for the majority of the problem. Ayear and a half ago, feed was in the $250 a ton range. This past year,the price of feed soared to over $400 a ton. At presstime, feed wasranging from $330 to $380 a ton, depending on the ingredients used tomake it, and pond bank prices were $.85 a pound.

The number of acres devoted to catfish production in Mississippihas dropped from around 92,000 acres in 2007 to around 80,000 acresat the end of 2008, with the prospect of many more acres coming outof production in 2009.

The Mississippi Legislature is lending ahand. During the 2008 legislative session,landmark legislation was passed to helpboth the consumer and the MississippiCatfish Industry. As a result of thislegislation, country of origin labeling forcatfish is now mandatory at the restaurantlevel in Mississippi.

The new law took effect on July 1, 2008,and requires any restaurant that servescatfish to inform the customer if it is U.S.farm-raised or imported. If it is imported,the country of origin must be listed onthe menu. Mississippi is the first, andcurrently the only, state to pass this kind oflegislation.

Each year, USDA’s AgriculturalMarketing Service purchases high-qualityfood products for distribution by the Foodand Nutrition Service. In September,Agriculture Secretary Ed Schaferannounced that USDA plans to purchaseup to $5 million in U.S. Farm-RaisedCatfish products for government foodassistance programs.

The world’s largest casino companies,MGM Mirage and Harrah’s Entertainment,have signed a multimillion-dollar agree-ment to buy farm-raised domestic catfishfor their Mississippi casino restaurants.The casinos will purchase catfish from

Mississippi growers and processors. MGM Mirage owns and operatestwo Mississippi casinos and Harrah’s has four Mississippi casinos.

As a result of the 2008 farm bill, inspection responsibilitiescovering U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish are being moved from the UnitedStates Department of Commerce to the United States Department ofAgriculture Food Safety Inspection Service.

The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) currently inspects beef,pork, poultry and egg production. Under FSIS regulations, anyimported catfish product will have to meet the same stringentproduction requirements now in place for U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish.

The proposed FSIS catfish processing rules should be ready forreview by January. They will be subject to public comments beforethe final rule, which is expected in early 2010.

Catfish Industry Receives SupportBilly George Janous

AQUACULTUREPaul Chamblee

COMMODITY UPDATE

Financial analyst Bank officer Policy adviser Business owner University professor

Attorney Manager Insurance agent Government

administrator

Agribusiness is about more than plows and seeds. We offer majors that can lead to a variety of

fulfilling careers, including:

MSU is an equalopportunity institution.

Department ofAgricultural Economics

P.O. Box 5187Mississippi State, MS 39762

Undergraduate Coordinator:Dr. Randy Little

[email protected]

www.agecon.msstate.edu

AgribusinessAgriAAgrigribusinessbusinessbusiness

Agricultural EconomicsDepartment of

Agricultural EconomicsDepartment of

wwwtunity institution.oppor

MSU is an equal

.agecon.msstate.eduwww.agecon.msstate.edulittle@agecon.msstate.edu

662-325-2884. Randy LittleDr

Undergraduate Coordinator:

Mississippi State, MS 39762.O. Box 5187PP.O. Box 5187

Agricultural Economics

[email protected]. Randy Little

Undergraduate Coordinator:

Mississippi State, MS 39762.O. Box 5187

Agricultural Economics

By: Billy George Janous, MFBF Aquaculture Advisory Committee ChairPaul Chamblee, MFBF Commodity Coordinator for Aquaculture

J A N UA R Y / F E B R U A R Y M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y 7


PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS

By Glynda Phillips

STRONGPrivate Property Laws

and is important to Perry Meyers. His farmland nearVancleave in Jackson County represents both hislivelihood and his means of recreation at the end of along, hard day. As a second generation farmer, Meyers’land is also his heritage and his legacy. He hopes toone day hand it down to his own children.

Lately, Meyers has been thinking a lot abouteminent domain. He’s learned that the MississippiDepartment of Transportation might take severalhundred feet of his pastureland to widen Highway 57.Eminent Domain, in simple terms, means the power

the state possesses to seize a citizen’s private property with duemonetary compensation but without the owner’s consent.

“They’ve been setting stakes in my fields, and I’m 99 percent surethat this will happen,” he said. “I have 60 head of cattle. I will need tofind additional pastureland for them, and it’s hard to find good farmlandaround here. Also, if they take my land, there goes some of my timber.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to them widening thehighway, and I’d whole lot rather have them take my fields on this sideof the highway than my yard on the other side,” he quickly added. “Mywife would be most disturbed if they destroyed her azalea bushes.”

The highway is one issue. The golf course is another.Meyers’ farmland backs up to a new golf course, and this has served

to deepen his interest in eminent domain. He knows that a recentSupreme Court decision, Kelo versus New London, CT, has broadenedthe traditional definition of eminent domain. Traditionally, the statecould seize land for development of highways, utilities, parks and otherpublic uses. Now, property can be taken and given to a private party forprivate development and that party’s own gain.

Meyers knows that this sort of thing has never happened inMississippi, but he’s pretty sure that it could. He says the golf coursedevelopers did NOT use the eminent domain process to acquire land,and for that he is grateful.

“Those developers went about the process the right way,” he said. “Areal estate agent came to me one day and asked if I would considerselling a sliver of my land for the golf course,” he said. “I turned themdown, but my neighbor did not. But at least I had a chance to say yesor no.”

Meyers wonders what would have happened if the developers hadchosen to use the eminent domain process. Mississippi has weak lawsprotecting private property owners. What kind of defense would hehave had if that had happened? And what if something like thathappens in the future?

“One day, someone could decide to go to their supervisor or otherpublic official and tell them that they could quadruple the value of myproperty,” Meyers said. “I pay taxes on my farmland, but I can’tcompete with the type of income a subdivision or a mall couldgenerate. What would happen to me then?”

FARM BUREAULuckily, Perry Meyers is a Farm Bureau member. With

approximately 230,000 members statewide, Farm Bureau is amajor voice for agriculture and rural Mississippians in the stateLegislature and U.S. Congress.

“Thank goodness for organizations like Farm Bureau,” Meyers said.“Farm Bureau says Mississippi needs stronger laws to protect the rightsof private property owners, and Farm Bureau won’t stop until we getthose laws.”

Forty-two states have already strengthened their eminent domainlaws. Of those 42 states, 23 have strengthened their laws significantly.Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina have all

successfully passed strong private property rights laws. Some of thesestates have passed multiple legislative actions to get to their currentstrength. Mississippi needs to do the same.

“Mississippi is one of only eight states without strong private propertyrights laws,” Meyers said. “For the past three years, every attempt topass this type of legislation in the Mississippi Legislature has failed.

“But Farm Bureau isn’t going to give up,” he said. “This legislativesession, Farm Bureau will do all that it can to see that our state getsstrong private property rights laws. We’re a farm organization. Werealize the value of good land.”

FARM LIFEMeyers loves living in the country and making a living as a farmer.

He doesn’t want to lose that lifestyle.“There’s a silence here. You sleep easy when you live in the

country,” he said. “It’s wonderful just knowing that you can get outand walk or ride a horse and calm yourself from your worst day. Myfriends visit me just to get away from it all.

“It’s a slower type of life, but I’ll take that for myself and my kids,”he added with a smile. “Both of my daughters drive tractors. Both ofthem bushhog and fertilize. I’ve been driving a tractor since I was sixand couldn’t even reach the pedals.

“I’d hate for someone to come to me one day and say, ‘Perry, it’sbeen a good life, but we’ve come for your land.’ That type of prospectmakes me lie awake some nights. It should worry you, too.Mississippi is growing and changing. You might be next.”

Meyers urges Mississippi property owners to join with Farm Bureauin its efforts to get strong private property rights legislation passedduring the 2009 Session of the Mississippi Legislature.

“We need to do something now,” he said. “Before it’s too late.”

FOR MORE INFORMATIONFor more information about this important issue, contact Derrick

Surrette, MFBF Public Policy Director, at 601.977.4216, or SamanthaCawthorn, MFBF Governmental Relations Coordinator, at601.977.4020.

Or simply talk to your legislator about strengthening Mississippi’sprivate property laws.

Perry Meyers is president of the Jackson County Farm Bureau.


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1 0 M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y

PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS

s chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee,Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith works with issues that havethe potential to greatly impact Mississippi agriculture.Each legislative session, she draws upon her farmingbackground to make informed decisions that will helpto ensure that state farmers have the tools they needto succeed in an ever-changing, global environment.

A

GIVING FARMERS

Sen. Hyde-Smith and her husband Michael own a large cow/calfoperation as well as a stocker calf operation near Brookhaven inLincoln County. Their family also runs Lincoln County LivestockCommission Co., one of the state’s oldest stockyards still operated bythe original owners.

“My husband is a fourth generation farmer,” she said. “We both lovefarming and are thrilled to be able to raise our daughter, Anna-Michael,on a farm. I would never make a decision in the Legislature that wouldjeopardize our family farm and our wonderful farming lifestyle.”

SUPPORTING FARMERSSenator Hyde-Smith’s work on

behalf of state farmers has neverbeen more crucial than it is today.She believes that Mississippiagriculture is facing an uncertaintythat is unprecedented.

“Never before have input costsbeen so high in relation to themarket price for end products,”she said. “This is especially truefor the cattle industry in theSoutheast, where higher rainfallmeans more fertilizer and otherinputs are required to sustain thetraditionally high stocking rates.

“Currently, the economy andwhat has been going on with WallStreet is also having a devastatingeffect on cattle and crop prices,”she said. “For America to survive,the citizens of this great countryare going to be forced to change.We will all have to spend less andlive within our means, but we willalso need to support our farmersand ranchers, who not only feed usbut preserve a disappearing way of life that has been one of the basicstrengths of our nation.

“Americans pay a smaller portion of their income for food thananywhere else in the world,” she said. “The bottom line is thatagriculture has a future because it is a must for us as a country to makesure that we have a future in food, fuel and fiber.”

PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTSOne way to help ensure that Mississippi agriculture has a bright

future is through the passage of strong laws protecting the rights ofprivate property owners. On the eve of the 2009 Session of theMississippi Legislature, Sen. Hyde-Smith says lawmakers arepreparing to again consider private property rights legislation.

“Mississippi is one of only eight states without strong privateproperty rights laws,” she said. “For the past three legislative sessions,we have tried to pass bills that would strengthen these laws and havecome up short.

“Senate Bill 2822 and House Bill 591 both made it to conferencecommittee. Both bills passed the floors of the House and Senateoverwhelmingly and were changed by chairmen of conferencecommittees to the point where they lost any validity,” she said. “Theywere gutted and did nothing that present law doesn’t already allow. Irefused to sign the watered-down report.

“Since the 2005 Supreme Court decision of Kelo vs New London,CT, the definition of eminentdomain has changed,” shesaid. “The new definitionallows private land to be takenand given to a private entityfor economic developmentpurposes and that individual’sown financial gain. Eminentdomain has never been usedfor an economic developmentproject in Mississippi, butsince the 2005 decision, thatrecord has been jeopardized.

“Forty-two states haveimplemented some form of leg-islation to strengthen theireminent domain laws,” shesaid. “Alabama, Louisiana,Florida, Georgia and SouthCarolina are some of the South-ern states that have passedstrong legislation. Mississippineeds to do the same.

“During the 2008 session,I offered some points ofcompromise, but no longer,”

she said. “Why should landowners risk losing the family farm thatfeeds this country to a bunch of high-rise condominiums or strip malls?Don’t get me wrong, each has its place, but my allegiance lies firmlywith state farmers.

“It’s almost unbelievable that 52 out of 52 senators can vote for a billthat never sees the light of day,” she said. “There have been somepowerful economic groups that have opposed this legislation inMississippi, but I am devoted to the wellbeing of our state’sagricultural producers. We’re going to see just how big the “big boys”are in the upcoming legislative session.”

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and her husband Michael are Lincoln CountyFarm Bureau members.


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THE TOOLS THEY NEEDBy Glynda Phillips


Doctor Jim Perkins, or Doc Perkins as he is known to friends andclients, has practiced veterinary medicine in the Northeast Mississippitown of Iuka for some 38 years. Behind his clinic for large and smallanimals, he also owns a beautifully landscaped compound filled withchickens, geese, ducks, guineas and pygmy goats.

FARMERS

DON’TMISTREAT LIVESTOCK

By Glynda Phillips

ANIMAL RIGHTS

When you visit Doc Perkins’ clinic and compound, youquickly realize just how much the good doctor lovesanimals. He handles them all with gentleness andcare. He also seemingly never ceases to be fascinated bythem. He says he inherited that trait from hisanimal-loving father.

Doc Perkins would never abuse his pets or patients.And in fact, he says he hasn’t witnessed a whole lot ofanimal abuse during his four decades as a veterinarian.He is disturbed that some animal rights groups believethat farmers and pet owners could be that irresponsible.

“Pets protect people from stress and pain,” he said.“Why would pet owners abuse their companions in anyway? Likewise, farmers make their living from their live-stock and would be foolish to abuse them.

“Farmers use well-researched, time-tested methods toraise their animals in a safe, healthy, stress-freeenvironment,” he said. “I believe that certain radical groupsare trying to stir up trouble over alleged animal abuseon farms where not a whole lot of that actually exists.

“Farm animals are given plenty of food, water andshelter,” he said. “They are protected from fear andstress. A farmer knows that a stressed dairy cow won’tproduce the same volume of milk as a calm andcontented cow. Likewise, stressed-out laying hens don’tproduce the same volume of eggs as clean, healthy,comfortable hens. It’s just common sense.

“Sometimes I think that these groups are trying to stop thecomplete consumption of meat. I believe they want us all to bevegetarians,” he said. “It’s their right to eat as they please, butthey shouldn’t try to force their beliefs on the rest of us.”

ANIMAL CONFINEMENTDoc Perkins says that certain animal rights groups are also

attempting to do away with animal confinement practices onfarms. Poultry and swine operations are at the top of their list.The good doctor is opposed to these efforts.

“Raising animals in a confined area is necessary to ensurethat they are kept consistently clean and healthy,” he said.“Raising animals in large quantity is necessary to keep downfood prices in the grocery store.

“Just imagine if you had to raise your own chickens andhogs,” he said. “In rural areas, some folks still raise dairy cows.But that’s a luxury because of how much it costs to do that.”

A TOP PRIORITYDoc Perkins says that animal agriculture is one of Farm

Bureau’s top priorities. The organization recognizes thatfarmers’ livelihoods depend upon their ability to raise theiranimals using accepted, time-tested practices that are basedupon careful research by land-grant universities.

“Farmers don’t need more laws telling them how to do theirjob,” he said. “Instead of making new laws for farmers, I’d liketo see legislators put more enforcement into the laws that arealready on the books. There is very little enforcement of theselaws in rural America.”

Doc Perkins serves on the Mississippi Farm Bureau FederationBoard of Directors. He and his wife Kay, who is chair of theMississippi Farm Bureau Federation Region 2 Women’sCommittee, have six children and 18 grandchildren.


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“Farmers use well-researched, time-testedmethods to raise their animals in a safe,

healthy, stress-free environment,”


epresentative Greg Ward of Ripley was appointed chair of the HouseAgriculture Committee during the 2008 Session of the Mississippi Legislature.As someone who was raised on a Tippah County farm and then farmed fulltimeas an adult, he says he is pleased with the appointment. “I’ve been farming most of my life, and I love it,” he said with a smile. “I knowthe challenges that farmers face each season. I hope I can do some good thingsfor our state’s farming community.”

Farmers Crucial to Nation’s

SURVIVAL

RBy Glynda Phillips

PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS & RIGHT TO FARM

A BORN FARMERRep. Ward began farming at an early age. He was only a senior in

high school when his father, a sawmiller and farmer, died unexpectedly.His mother wanted to keep the farm going, so it fell to him to help her.

The hill country teenager farmed the remainder of his senior yearthen managed to commute and farm while attending NortheastMississippi Junior College. But when he decided to enroll atMississippi State University, he and his mom knew they would have tosell all of the livestock.

“It was a sad day for us when we sold our animals, but we realizedthat it was impossible to do both. My two brothers were just too smallto help,” he said. “After I graduated, my mom and I gradually boughtsome cows back on a small scale.”

Rep. Ward had majored in education at Mississippi State, so hetaught school for four years and farmed part-time before making thedecision to become a full-time farmer. He married Judy Orman ofBenton County, who had also been brought up on a farm, and theymoved into his childhood home.

For ten years, the Wards farmedcorn, soybeans and cotton. Duringthat time, they were also able to raisetheir children on a farm. For that,they are most grateful.

In addition to his farming efforts,Rep. Ward purchased a small glasscompany to supplement his income.As the children grew older, he sawthat the glass business was bringingin more income than the farm, sohe decided to eliminate farmingand put all of his efforts into theglass company.

“About ten years ago, I realizedthat I really missed the animals,” hesaid. “So I started back on a smallscale with 20 head of mama cows.”

ISSUES OF CONCERNAround that same time, Rep. Ward also became interested in politics.

He says he was concerned about tax issues and adequate representationfor rural Americans in the Legislature.

“Other farmers came to me and asked me to run for the House ofRepresentatives, so I decided to do it,” he said. “This is my thirdfour-year term in the Legislature.”

On the eve of the 2009 Session of the Mississippi Legislature, manyimportant issues concern Rep. Greg Ward. Here are four of themajor ones:

1) Eminent Domain“Eminent domain should only be used on public projects that willbenefit all Mississippians,” he said. “The new definition of eminentdomain says that land can be seized and given to a private individualor group for use on a private project that would benefit those people ex-clusively. I am opposed to that.”

2) Quick Claim Eminent Domain “I am opposed to this,” he said.“We need to be careful how we use it, and we need legislation that willhelp to restrict it.”

3) Right to Farm “People in rural Mississippi choose to live in the country for a varietyof reasons,” Rep. Ward said. “One of the most important reasons is tocarry on the traditions of their forefathers. Someone who doesn’tunderstand this should not come in and dictate our lifestyle.”

4) Alternative Fuels“One of the bills I plan to introduce this legislative session will dealwith net metering,” he said. “This bill will allow onsite electricgenerators to go online to sell electricity back to local electricalsuppliers. No net metering legislation currently exists. I believe thislaw will help the net income of farmers and help them dispose ofthe byproducts of farming. This will also come in handy whereenvironmental quality standards are concerned.”

WAKE UP, AMERICAIn all of his efforts in the Mississippi Legislature, Rep. Ward says he

will never forget state farmers. Heintends to do all that he can tomake sure that our agriculturalindustry remains strong and vital.He says Americans need to wakeup to the fact that farmers arecrucial to our nation’s survival.

“One of the things that concernsme the most is that our countryis becoming more dependenton cheaper food from othercountries,” he said. “These foodproducts often don’t meet thequality and safety standards ofAmerican-grown food. Plus, bypurchasing these products, we’replacing our farmers at adisadvantage.

“This type of thing has causedmany of our young people to

decide not to carry on the family farming business,” he said. “It hasalso taken land out of production and placed it into the ConservationReserve Program or timber. This land won’t ever be used for foodproduction because of government restrictions or because it’s noteconomically feasible to do so.

“As we become dependent on other countries to supply our food, thisplaces our country at a security risk,” he said. “A country can only bestrong if it can supply its citizens with three things: food, fiber and fuel.”

Rep. Ward says the biggest challenge in the farming community liesin changing the attitudes of the general public toward agriculture.

“Many people have forgotten the importance of farming,” he said.“At one time, so many people were touched by it in a physical way.Now, people have grown so removed from it.

“I think that it is the responsibility of all of us to get the message outthat we need a strong domestic agriculture,” he said. “I think FarmBureau is a champion at doing this. I thank them for that.”

Greg and Judy Ward are longtime Tippah County Farm Bureaumembers. The Wards have two daughters, Stephanie and Stacie, andone son, Kelly, plus six grandchildren.

“One of the things that concerns methe most is that our country isbecoming more dependent on cheaperfood from other countries,” he said.“These food products often don’t meetthe quality and safety standards ofAmerican-grown food. Plus, bypurchasing these products, we’replacing our farmers at a disadvantage.”

FC


Text by Glynda PhillipsPhotos by Greg Gibson & Samantha Cawthorn

If you want to know what’shappening on a Mississippi farm,ask a Mississippi farmer. Don’t takesomeone else’s word for it.

Those words, spoken by aMississippi farmer, sum up the goalof the Mississippi Farm Tour hostedby the Mississippi Farm BureauFederation (MFBF). Three of thesetours were held in late Septemberand early October 2008.

The tours were designed to givestate senators and representatives anopportunity to visit a cross-section offarms in the northern, central andsouthern regions of our state and talkto farmers about issues of concern tothem. Farmers were also able todemonstrate to lawmakers how hardthey work to provide our nation withsafe and abundant food and fiber.

Tour stops included a catfish farmin Yazoo County, poultry and dairyfarms in Rankin County, a sweetpotato farm in Vardaman, a beefcattle farm in Grenada, and a rowcrop and catfish farm in Minter City.Tour participants also visited a rowcrop farm in Covington County, ablueberry farm in Lamar County, anda forest products processing facilityin Wiggins.

This was the first year for the farmtours, but the response has been sopositive that more tours are plannedfor next year. For more informationabout the annual Mississippi FarmTour, call the MFBF Public PolicyDepartment at 1.800.227.8244,extension 4226.

MISSISSIPPI

FARM TOUR

Rep. Bill Pigott and Sen. Joey Fillinganeget a close look at plywood processing atHood Industries, Inc. of Wiggins.


Pictured at left then counterclockwise: Mike Wagoner’sSoybean Farm in Drew – Rep. Robert Huddleston and AndyProsser, Mississippi Department of Agriculture andCommerce; Hayward Beef Farm in Grenada – Rep. GregWard and Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith; Grunfest and KlausCotton Gin in Cary – Sen. Alice Harden, Rep. GregoryHolloway, Rep. Mac Huddleston, Rep. Greg Ward and BillNewsom, gin manager; N & W Farms in Vardaman – Sen.Perry Lee, Rep. Ted Mayhall Jr. and Rep. Jimmy Puckett;and Mitchell Farms in Collins -- (front row) Rep. TedMayhall, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Rep. Frank Hamilton andRep. Larry Byrd and (back row) Rep. Bill Pigott, Sen. JoeyFilingane, Rep. Ken Morgan, Sen. Kelvin Butler, Rep.Harvey Fillingane and Rep. Greg Ward.

The 2008 elections are over, and the 2009legislative session will begin shortly. Aftersorting through the campaign commercialsand editorials surrounding governmental andlegislative issues, you may find yourself, likemany other Mississippians, asking, “How canI stay informed on the issues that concern me,and how can I communicate my concerns tolegislators?” Or more importantly, “How canI follow legislative issues and actions over thenext four years so I can be better informedcome election time?”

The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federationcan help. Farm Bureau works with legislationrelated to agriculture and rural issues and hasfull-time lobbyists working in Jackson.Although the majority of our focus is directedtoward agriculture, the Public PolicyDepartment works daily on legislative issuesaffecting the majority of Mississippianssuch as property rights, alternative fuelsand taxation.

WORKING TOGETHER Mississippi Farm Bureau's greatest strength

is in its grassroots efforts. To accomplishlegislative, regulatory and policy objectives,members must be informed and active.

The best legislative influence comesfrom informed, concerned memberscommunicating their beliefs to their electedrepresentatives. Farm Bureau's role is to keepmembers informed with good and factualinformation concerning Farm Bureau policiesand farm issues.

During the 2008 national elections, thecandidates talked about several key issues thatwill be important to the development of ourstate legislation over the next few years.Issues such as a tax system overhaul andproperty rights reform will affect nearly everyFarm Bureau member.

As a member, you have the resourcesavailable to stay informed and influencelegislation. Farm Bureau’s Web site,www.msfb.com, has a Current LegislativeNews section on the Public PolicyDepartment page that contains updatedinformation on legislative bills and policy.

The Public Policy Department alsopublishes pertinent information during thelegislative session in Capitol Comments.Capitol Comments is printed weekly andreports on the status of bills in the StateLegislature affecting Farm Bureau. Inaddition, the Public Policy Departmentpublishes a national newsletter on anas-needed basis called National News.National News covers what is happening inWashington, D.C., with Congress and othergovernment agencies.

Our Public Policy staff is available to assistmembers with specific questions or to provideinformation on legislation not covered on theWeb site or in Capitol Comments.

To receive policy updates and newslettersby email, please logon to www.msfb.com andclick on the News section then click on the AgNews by Email link to enter your information.Be sure to select Public Policy as well as othersubjects of interest to you from the menu. Youmay also contact the Public PolicyDepartment to signup for a hard copy of theupdates and newsletters.

CONTACT INFORMATIONYou may contact a member of the Public

Policy Department as follows: DerrickSurrette, 601.977.4216, [email protected];Samantha Cawthorn, 601.977.4020,[email protected]; and Elizabeth Parsons,601.977.4226, [email protected].


BECOME INFORMED AND INVOLVEDBy Samantha Cawthorn Governmental Relations Coordinator

IMPORTANT DATES

JANUARY 6, 2009 – START OF 2009 REGULARLEGISLATIVE SESSION

JANUARY 22, 2009 – LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION

APRIL 4, 2009 – END OF 2009 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION

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The remains of an antebellum home dating back to 1861 can befound 10 miles west of Port Gibson near Alcorn State University(ASU) in Claiborne County. This beautiful house burned in 1890,leaving behind a few pieces of china, 23 columns that are 45 feet tall,an iron staircase and an iron balustrade. The staircase and balustradeare now a part of Oakland Chapel on the ASU campus.

Read the clues and name this house.

A LITTLE HISTORYBuilt by Smith Coffee Daniell II, this house was once part of a large

plantation. It boasted 23 rooms, an above-ground basement, tworesidential floors and an attic. A cupola, from which the MississippiRiver was visible, was centered on the roof.

Many grand and formal events were held at this house. TheAmerican writer, Mark Twain, is said to have stayed there, using thecupola to observe the Mississippi River. He wrote about the house inhis book, “Life on the Mississippi.”

This house was used as a lookout point during the Civil War and asa Union hospital after the Battle of Port Gibson.

On Feb.17, 1890, fire broke out in this house. One theory suggeststhat someone dropped a cigarette onto a pile of building debris.Another says a cigarette was dropped into a waste basket. Yetanother theory says someone left a lighted cigar or cigarette on abalcony.

In 1974, descendants of the Daniell family donated the ruins of this

house to the State of Mississippi. The site is administered by theMississippi Department of Archives and History.

Name this house.

CORRECT GUESSESMail guesses to Solve the Mystery, Mississippi Farm Country, P. O.

Box 1972, Jackson, MS 39215. You may also e-mail your guesses [email protected].

Please remember to include your name and address on the entry. Visitour Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Web site at www.msfb.com.

When all correct guesses have been received, we will randomlydraw 20 names. These 20 names will receive a prize and will be placedin the hat twice.

At the end of the year, a winner will be drawn from all correctsubmissions. The winner will receive a Weekend Bed and BreakfastTrip, courtesy of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.

Families may submit only one entry. Federation staff members andtheir families are ineligible to participate in this contest.

The deadline for submitting your entry is January 31.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBERThe correct answers for the November/December Solve the Mystery

are: equine, poultry, beef, soybeans, catfish and agritourism.The winner of our 2008 Bed and Breakfast Trip is Bonnye White, a

Neshoba County Farm Bureau member.

SOLVE THE MYSTERY


Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel made by fermenting and distillingcrops, such as corn and sugarcane, which have been broken down intosimple sugars. The use of ethanol fuel has increased dramatically overthe last decade, but it is in no way a new energy source. Henry Fordcreated the Model T in 1908 to run on alcohol; however, cheap andabundant oil supplies took America in a different direction.

Those days are quickly becoming fond memories to look back upon.The oil embargo in the late 1970s served as a wakeup call thatexposed our addiction to the black gold; however, we hit the snoozebutton as soon as the price of oil retreated.

Ethanol production slowly began increasing in 1980 and exploded in2000. Fuel ethanol production increased from 1.63 billion gallons in2000 to 6.5 billion gallons in 2007. Today, fuel blended with ethanolaccounts for approximately 46 percent of our nation’s gasoline supply.The increased use of ethanol in our fuel system has generated manyquestions and concerns about its use in today’s automobiles andsmall engines.

Ethanol is a clean-burning, high-octane fuel that can be blended withregular gasoline to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and extend currentsupplies of gasoline. There are two primary blends in use today, E10and E85. E10 is a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline.E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Allengines built since 1970 can use the E10 blended fuelswith no modifications or problems; however,carbureted engines may need to be adjusted to take fulladvantage of the fuel.

E10 may be used in fuel-injected engines also. Inolder automobiles, ethanol can loosen contaminantsand residues that have been deposited from gasolineuse and may require that the fuel filter be changed moreoften. Since 1985, all ethanol-blended fuels and mostnon-blended fuels have added detergents to keep thefuel injectors clean and prevent deposits from cloggingthe filter. All auto manufactures who sell cars in theUnited States approve fuels enriched with up to 10percent ethanol and warrant its use.

Flex-Fuel vehicles are specifically designed to runon E85, regular gasoline, blends with fewer than 85percent ethanol, or any combination of the fuels. Usersof E85 will experience a slight decrease in their fuelmileage, but will notice an increase in vehicleperformance because of the higher octane rating.

E85 is usually less expensive than gasoline at thepump, but the price difference will vary based on theprice of oil and ethanol. It is very important toremember that E85 is only approved for flex-fuelvehicles and engines. Be sure to check your owner’smanual to prevent voiding the manufacturer’s warranty.

Small engines, such as lawnmowers, ATVs, motor-boats, chainsaws and weedeaters, can be run on fuelsblended with 10 percent ethanol or less. Virtually all

small engine manufacturers, including Briggs & Stratton, Honda,Toro/Lawnboy, Kohler, and Snapper, have approved the use of E10Unleaded in its equipment.

Mercury Marine conducted extensive testing on 30 differentwatercraft, and the results showed “no malfunctions or operationaldriving difficulties attributable to ethanol blends.” During the sametesting period, no separation of ethanol and water was detected. For2-cycle engines, the oil mixtures are the same for E10 as forconventional gasoline.

Ethanol as a fuel is now, and will continue to be, a fixture in our fuelinventory. Engine and ethanol producers have made great strides inmaking sure that we can use these products in our current automotiveand small engine sectors. These industries are also developing newproducts to get the optimal use and benefit from renewable fuels.

Check your manufacturer’s warranty and operator’s manual forapproved ethanol uses and take advantage of using ethanol-blendedfuels whenever possible. You can feel confident using E10 whereveryou burn conventional gasoline and burning E85 where approved. Youshould also feel confident that you are improving air quality,extending the current petroleum fuel supplies, promoting renewableenergy, and reducing our dependence on foreign fuels.

Burn Clean for Less Green!

ETHANOL AND YOUR ENGINEBy Andy Whittington, Environmental Programs Coordinator

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

NO RETREAT: THE CASTLE DOCTRINEhttp://www.heartbeatproductions.com/pages/icesong.html

In the small Delta town where I grew up,our doors were never locked and our windowswere open for much of the year. Crime wasno more frequent than tornadoes, but thosetimes have long since passed. Sadly, murders,robberies and other violent crimes are noweveryday news.

Recently, there has been local news about aconvenience store operator who followed a19-year-old man, who had stolen some beerand was trying to make off with it, but outsidethe store, the operator shot and killed him.A furor followed, which created muchdiscussion about a Mississippi statute thatenacted the so-called Castle Doctrine.

The name came from the ancient notion thatone’s home is one’s castle and also in thedoctrines of self-defense and justifiablehomicide. In reaction to the ever-growing riseof violent crime, many states, includingMississippi, have enacted statutes that repealthe rule that before using lethal force againstan assailant one must first retreat. The CastleDoctrine changes that.

Notwithstanding the U.S. Supreme Court’srecent decision that laws which prohibitownership of handguns are unconstitutional,firearms laws are the continuing subject ofheated debate. Though the Castle Doctrine isnot limited to firearms, they are the usualweapon of choice (or necessity) in selfdefense.

Fundamental in the new legal concept is thetheory that people are entitled to protectthemselves from illegal break-ins, violentattacks, etc., and have the right to use lethalforce to protect themselves against suchcrimes without first having to retreat. Suchuse of lethal force is considered to bejustifiable homicide and, of course, is vitallylinked to the right to bear arms provided in theSecond Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The doctrine not only recognizes the rightto bear arms but also to use them by standingyour ground instead of first retreating inself-defense, the defense of others or one’sproperty. Several states have adopted suchstatutes, but they differ in their provisions.

Mississippi’s justifiable homicide statute

was amended in 2006 to add to the situationswhen the killing of a human being is justifiedin the following situations:

When committed by any person inresisting any attempt unlawfully to killsuch person or to commit any felonyupon him, or upon or in any dwelling,in any occupied vehicle, in anyplace of business, in any place ofemployment or in the immediatepremises thereof in which such personshall be;

When committed in the lawful defenseof one's own person or any otherhuman being, where there shall bereasonable ground to apprehend adesign to commit a felony or to dosome great personal injury, and thereshall be imminent danger of suchdesign being accomplished.

Mississippi Code of 1972 Ann. §97-3-15(e) and (f)

This is a broader statute than some otherstates because it not only applies to one’shome but also to an occupied vehicle,place of business or employment, or in theimmediate premises thereof. Further, it isjustifiable when in the defense of one’s ownperson or any other human being and wherethere is imminent danger of a felony or greatpersonal injury.

There are statutory presumptions that thereis the fear of imminent death, great bodilyharm or the commission of a felony upon himor her or upon the dwelling, vehicle occupiedor place of business or employment if theperson against whom lethal force is exerted isunlawfully and forcibly entering or wasattempting to remove someone from thereagainst their will provided the felon had noright to be where he or she was. The statutealso specifically provides that someone whois not the initial aggressor and is not engagedin unlawful activity has no duty to retreatbefore using deadly force.

Also, there is the same presumption in civilcases where self-defense or defense of anotheris claimed as a defense to such civil claims,assault, etc. Further, in an unusual civil lawprovision, if a defendant wins such a civilsuit, he is to be awarded his attorney fees,court costs, loss of income, and all expensesincurred in the suit.

Finally, if a defendant has been adjudicated“not guilty” of any crime in the circumstancesquoted above, that creates complete immunityfrom a suit by one against whom deadly forcewas used.

Though it is said that this doctrine is new, itis not. Its roots can be traced to an Englishstatute enacted in 1532 which allowed deadlyforce in self-defense, and this was laterexpanded by court decisions to includeattacks in a dwelling where there was no dutyto retreat.

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, in a caseinvolving whether there was a duty to retreatin 1895, stated that “detached reflectioncannot be demanded in the presence of anuplifted knife,” and the Castle Doctrinestatute expands this.

As you might imagine, there are widelyheld and strongly stated positions on whetherthis is good or not – much like the debate onthe death penalty, with the main issues beingwhether it is morally right or whether it acts asa deterrent. In effect, our statute makesanyone’s “castle” wherever they may legallybe when attacked.

To date, there are no Mississippi casesconstruing the statute but, in time, there surelywill be. The steadily increasing rate of violentcrime assures this. We can only dream aboutthe time we did not need to lock our doors andknow that really was “the good old days.”

Sam E. Scott is general counsel for MississippiFarm Bureau Federation (MFBF) and practiceslaw in the law firm of Samuel E. Scott, PLLC, inJackson. The foregoing information is general innature and is not intended as nor should be con-sidered specific legal advice, nor to be consideredas MFBF’s position or opinion.


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Photo by David Morgan

The town of Kiln, located in HancockCounty just minutes northwest ofBay St. Louis, possesses a rich historyand many fine modern-day amenities.Tourism is a growing industry.

Kiln residents have worked hard torepair and rebuild following HurricaneKatrina and are looking forward to apromising future. Come with us as welearn more about this fascinating town.

THE KILNKiln, also known as The Kiln

(pronounced “The Kill”), grew upin the 1800s around the sawmills,shipyards and other businesses linkedto the area’s abundant natural resources.In fact, the town was named for thelarge kilns that French settlers built todry lumber and extract pine tar andpitch. Back then, tar was used to caulkthe hulls of wooden ships and resinwas used in turpentine. The resultingcharcoal from the oven fires wasburned as fuel.

The arrival of the Edward HinesYellow Pine Co. in 1912, said to be oneof the largest sawmills in the South,served to enhance the town’s growthand prosperity. The mill was run bysteam and used a band saw instead of around blade saw to produce lumber,staves and shingles.

Dummy lines (or rail lines) ran outfrom the mill into the surroundingyellow pine and cypress forests.Locomotives delivered massive standsof timber back to the mill to be madeinto products that were shipped downthe Jourdan River to Gulfport. Fromthere, the products were transported toShip Island and to New Orleans for citymarkets and foreign export.

The site where the mill once stood isnow occupied by Whitfield LumberCompany. But back in those earlyyears, in addition to the Hines mill, youcould find saloons, hotels, doctors’offices, stores and houses.

The Hines mill built 200 houses forits workers and painted some of themyellow and some of them red. Yellowhouses were located along the roadleading down to the mill. That road,

Kiln:AA rriicchh ppaasstt && pprroommiissiinngg ffuuttuurree

By Glynda Phillips

Statue depicting the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary can be found at

Annunciation CatholicChurch.

J A N UA R Y / F E B R U A R Y M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y 2 5

appropriately enough, became known as Yellow Road. Red mill houses linedRed Road, which ran past a nearby brick commissary/post office that wasconnected with the mill. Today, the old commissary building is home to alawnmower repair shop.

When the mill shut down in the 1930s, the buildings were torn down andthe parts were transported to Oregon, where the mill was reassembled andused to process timber in that region. The dummy line rails are said to havebeen shipped to South America.

When state and national prohibition laws were passed around that sametime, moonshine whiskey became an important source of income for theKiln area. The whiskey quickly earned a national reputation, and local legendhas it that Al Capone was a part of the thriving Kiln whiskey trade.

Also at one time in its early history, Kiln was known as an exclusive resortarea for New Orleans residents. It boasted many fancy hotels, restaurantsand cottages.

KILN TODAYToday, many of Kiln’s approximately 2,000 residents work at businesses

in their hometown or in the surrounding towns of Gulfport, Pascagoula,Bay St. Louis and New Orleans. The local Stennis International Airport andthe John C. Stennis Space Center are big employers.

Kiln is best known as the hometown of football great Brett Favre. Otherfamous Kiln natives include Don Necaise, an engineer and mathematicianwith NASA in Huntsville, Alabama; James Lee, a president of Gulf OilCompany; Leland Mitchell, an all-state basketball star in the late 1950s andearly 1960s; and Wendell Ladner, a pro basketball star. Theodore Bilbo, afuture senator and Mississippi governor, worked for a time as a school principalin Kiln.

J. P. Compretta and Walter J. Phillips were renowned Hancock Countylegislators in the 1970s.

Visitors to Kiln will find historic churches and homes as well as fine outdoorrecreational opportunities. The town is also home to the Hancock County Equineand Livestock Arena and the Lazy Magnolia Brewery.

Two of Kiln’s oldest churches are Annunciation Catholic Church, establishedin 1869, and Lion Branch Baptist Church, established sometime after theCivil War. The home of Captain Samuel Favre, an early sawmiller (circa1859), has been preserved and is recognized as Kiln’s oldest. A few mill housesare also still standing.

For outdoor recreation, Kiln has McLeod Water Park and the Jourdan River.The town is also located near the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast.

STOP & VISITThe next time you are in the area, stop by for a visit and see for yourself. Kiln

truly does possess a rich past and promising future.

A special thanks to Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Honorary Vice PresidentL.J. Breaux Sr.; Hancock County Farm Bureau President Fritz Harris; GeneBennett; the Kiln Public Library and “Kiln Kountry” by Dan Ellis for their helpwith this article.

(Top) Annunciation Catholic Church(Center) Well-Preserved Mill House(Bottom) Kiln Public Library

FC


MISSISSIPPI FARMERSINCLUDED IN BOOK

Photographer Paul Mobley was showing a friend of hissome photos he’d taken at a friendly get-together several yearsago. The photos were of some rural folks in his home state ofMichigan. Paul’s friend said, “These are great photos. Youought to put them in a book.”

And that was the beginning of a project that has takenMobley all over the country. The result is “American Farmer:The Heart of Our Country,” published by Welcome Books andnow available at bookstores and on the Internet.

Mobley visited many states to capture the images includedin his book and one of those states was Mississippi. The pho-tos shown with this article are of farmers in Smith, Jasper andSimpson counties.

FIRST COLLECTIONWhen he set out to capture the soul of our nation’s farm

communities four years ago, Mobley encountered a ruralculture that remains rooted in the principles of tradition,family, integrity and hard work. Aided by the American FarmBureau Federation and many state Farm Bureaus, he traveledmore than 100,000 miles from Alaska to Maine and waswelcomed time after time into the homes of farm familiesacross the country.

Featuring more than 200 full-color and black-and-whiteportraits of farming families across the United States, from

By Greg Gibson, Member Services Director/PR-Multimedia Coordinator


cattle ranchers to avocado growers, “AmericanFarmer” tells the inspiring story of our heartlandthrough the faces and voices of the people who liveand work it.

The result is the first portrait collection of modernAmerican farmers ever published. Images areaccompanied by first-person narratives that are told inthe farmers’ own words and that offer an intimatelook inside the hardships and joys of a quickly-disappearing way of life – one that once defined ournational identity and now struggles to remain vital.

MISSISSIPPI FARMERSMobley came to Mississippi in October of 2006

and visited several farmers across the central part ofthe state over the course of two days. I snapped a pic-ture of Mobley photographing James Ford of SmithCounty, and you can see the resulting photo of Fordtaken by Mobley.

Other photos shown here include Chester Bradley ofJasper County and Maurice Layton of Simpson County.

MORE INFORMATIONWell-known TV personality Willard Scott wrote

the preface and singer/songwriter Michael MartinMurphy provided the introduction to the book. Partof the proceeds from sales of the book will becontributed to the American Farm Bureau Federationand will be used by them for education.

To get your copy of this new book and receive a 10percent discount, visit the Mississippi Farm BureauFederation Web site, www.msfb.com, and click onthe link on the front page.

Smith County farmer James Ford, opposite page, isfeatured in “American Farmer: The Heart of OurCountry,” a compilation of images of farmers fromacross the nation. Photographer Paul Mobley is shownphotographing Smith.

Also included in the book are portraits of Maurice Layton, Simpson County, (left) and ChesterBradley, Jasper County.

FC

FC


Rogers Bar HR Ranch in Collins is serving as a temporary homeaway from home for about 146 Brahman cross cattle and calvesdisplaced by Hurricane Ike. The cows, owned by Earl Armstrong ofBoothville, Louisiana, were left with flooded pastureland after Ike’sstorm surge breached levees in coastal Louisiana on Sept. 13. Most ofthe cows stood in three feet of water for about three days followingthe storm.

“Doug Rogers called and told me he had 300 acres of pasture withgrass about knee high and to send my cows to him,” Armstrong said.“You won’t meet a better friend then Doug Rogers, I’ll tell you that. Allof his family members are just good people. Their employees havebeen good to me, also.”

“We knew Earl and remembered that he had lost 1,500 head ofcattle during Hurricane Katrina,” said Doug. “In fact, we had helpedhim build fences after Katrina. We have also sold him some bullsthrough the years. We knew that we had to get those cows out becausehe couldn’t do it by himself.”

SURROUNDED BY WATERBoothville is located on a finger of land in southeastern Louisiana

that reaches out into the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River is toits east. Earl keeps his cows at nearby Citrusville and uses barges totake them across the river and bay to graze on nearby islands.

Armstrong said he lost everything, including his cows, fences, barns,sheds, and even his house, to Hurricane Katrina. This time around, hefared better and for that he is thankful. But it was still tough.

“Gustav hit our area first, topping the levees and messing us uppretty bad,” he said. “At that time, Doug offered his help, but I toldhim I thought I could work my way out of it. But after Hurricane Iketopped the levees again, I put my cows on trucks and got them out ofthere. Doug arrived with two big semi trucks and a truck with agooseneck trailer for the calves. I took 150 cows with me toBoothville.”

MISSISSIPPI AND KATRINAThe Rogers say they will keep the cows as long as necessary. “There’s no rush to have them picked up,” Doug said. “We’re friends

with Earl and his family, and we want to help them out. We alsoremember the outpouring of generosity that followed Hurricane Katrina.”

When South Mississippi cattlemen had fences blown down andcattle injured or lost during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, people fromacross the United States rushed to their assistance. Many of themdonated fence posts, wire and hay.

“We will never forget that,” Doug said.Earl Armstrong says he won’t soon forget the generosity of Doug

Rogers and his family either.“They’ve been very good friends to me,” he said.Rogers Bar HR Ranch raises stocker calves and Charolais cows.

Doug, who has been farming since 1993, is the Mississippi FarmBureau Federation Beef Cattle Advisory Committee Chair.

Earl Armstrong is a member of the Louisiana Farm BureauFederation.

COLLINS FARMERS HELP FELLOW CATTLEMAN By Glynda Phillips

Doug Rogers checks on Earl Armstrong’s cattle.

CALENDAR OFEVENTS

January 6 Legislative SessionConvenes

January 11-14 AFBF Annual MeetingSan Antonio, Texas

January 22 Legislative ReceptionJackson

January 22-23 Winter Commodity ConferenceJackson

January 30- YF&R ConferenceFebruary 1 Hilton Hotel

Jackson

February 9-11 Washington D.C. Member Tour

February 15-21 National Food Check-Out Week

February 17 Food Check Out DayRonald McDonald HouseJackson

February 17 Day at the CapitolJackson

March 27 Women’s LeadershipConferenceJackson

April 24 Legislative SessionEnds

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FARM BUREAUEVENTS

2009 State Resolutions Committee chairs include Lamar Andrews, BolivarCounty, Ag Subcommittee; Thomas Rosenblatt, Wilkinson County, National andEnvironmental Subcommittee; Jason Ellzey, Jones County, State Subcommittee;and John Logan, Jefferson Davis County, State Resolutions Committee.

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, center, Chair of the Senate Ag Committee,was the special lunch speaker during the Mississippi Farm BureauFederation Women’s Leadership Conference. She is pictured withShelby Williams, left, State Women’s Committee Vice Chair, and Dott Arthur, State Women’s Committee Chair.

An excellent attendance was enjoyed at the Mississippi Farm BureauFederation Women’s Leadership Conference.


Have you heard?about the many benefits of your Farm Bureau membership?You may not know that when you pay your annual membership fee, itincludes many valuable member benefits. Highlighted below are a few ofour benefits. To see a complete list, visit our Web site at www.msfb.com.Take advantage of these benefits available to Farm Bureau® membersONLY. If you are not a member, joining is simple. Contact the FarmBureau office in the county where you live, pay your membership dues,and start enjoying these benefits today!

MMOOSSSSYY OOAAKK Farm Bureau members can receive a 10 percent discount through the MossyOak Online Store. Discount does not apply to promotional or sale items. Go towww.msfb.com, click Member Benefits link, then Mossy Oak Discounts link.

DDOODDGGEE DDIISSCCOOUUNNTTSS Contact the Mississippi Farm Bureau office to request your exclusive FarmBureau $500 rebate certificate before you purchase your Dodge vehicle.

See your local Dodge dealer and make your best deal then simply give thedealer your Farm Bureau Dodge rebate certificate and save an additional$500. You must be a member of the Mississippi Farm Bureau for at least 30days before receiving your rebate certificate. Certificates are limited toDodge trucks, Durangos, selected vans, and selected sedans.

GGAATTEEWWAAYY TTIIRREE && SSEERRVVIICCEE CCEENNTTEERR DDIISSCCOOUUNNTT Gateway Tire and Service Center is offering a 10 percent discount on Tires andAutomotive Services to Mississippi Farm Bureau members. Just present your FarmBureau membership card at any Gateway Tire location. To find the Gateway TireCenter nearest you, visit us at www.Gateway-Tire.com.

CCOOUUNNTTRRYY CCOONNNNEECCTT LLOONNGG--DDIISSTTAANNCCEEThis long-distance telephone service is a full-service, long-distanceprogram designed exclusively for Farm Bureau members. And whilemany long-distance services bill in full-minute increments, CountryConnect charges are based on six-second increments. If you talk fora minute and six seconds, you pay for a minute and six seconds, not for two minutes as you would with many companies.

For more information, contact Dedra Luke, Member Benefits Coordinator, at 601.977.4169.

www.msfb.com

Client: Dodge National Live: 7"(w) x 9.5"(h) AD: Grewe M79956 Product: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Trim: N/A CW: Date: 11.15.07 Title: Farm Bureau – Tahoe Bleed: None AC: Leah 4191 Step: 06 – NJ Specs: 4/Color Magazine Page Bind: N/A PP: Hattley

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Simply plug in your destination and your invisible friend will tell you when to hang a Louie.

GET AN EXTRA $500 BONUS CASH AND MAKE YOUR VACATION PICTURE-PERFECT.Now Farm Bureau® members have a little added incentive to take that perfect family vacation: a $500 cash allowance on the All-New Dodge Grand Caravan.(4) With available (and exclusive) live SIRIUS Backseat TV™, the kids can now watch cartoons and their favorite shows 24/7. Grand Caravan also boasts available Swivel ’n Go™(5) seating, an industry first. And there are more safety and security features than ever before, including a 5-star crash test rating.(6) So set your sights on the sights — check out the All-New Grand Caravan at dodge.com/grandcaravan, or call 800-4ADODGE.

(1)Available. (2)Always check entire surroundings before backing up. (3)GPS mapping may not be detailed in all areas or reflect current road regulations. See your dealer for details. (4)Must be a Farm Bureau member for at least 30 days. Contact your local Farm Bureau office for details. Eligible vehicles for the $500 cash allowance include new Dodge Ram, Ram Chassis Cabs, Caravan, Nitro, Dakota, Durango and Magnum, including specific E85/Flex Fuel equipped vehicles available in 45 states. (5)Seat must always be locked in forward- or rear-facing mode while vehicle is in motion. (6)Star ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SaferCar.gov program (safercar.gov). Farm Bureau is a federally registered servicemark of the American Farm Bureau Federation. ©2007 SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. “SIRIUS,” “SIRIUS Backseat TV,” the SIRIUS dog logo and all related marks are trademarks of SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. All other trademarks, service marks and logos are the property of their respective owners.

Ship 280UCR


Call toll-free 1-800-362-FARMContact your state office or visit www.countryconnect.us for more information

© 2008 Countryconnect ® All Rights Reserved. Powered by IBFA, a subsidiary of Telava Networks, Inc.

MAKETHE CONNECTION

Mail to: Countryconnect 1850 Howard Street, Suite C Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

1-800-362-FARM

Letter of AgencyI choose Countryconnect, powered by IBFA, as my primary long-distance provider for the service(s) and telephone number(s) indicated below and I authorize Countryconnect to act as my agent by notifying my local telephone company of this choice. I am legally responsible for the payment of charges incurred on the telephone number(s) listed below and that I have the authority to change the prescribed 1+ long-distance carrier providing service to these numbers. Further, I recognize that I can have only one primary long-distance company for a given telephone number, that I will no longer be pre-subscribed to my current long-distance carrier’s service(s) and that my local telephone company may impose a charge for this and any later change. I understand that my long-distance service will be billed directly by and payable to Countryconnect. There will be a $1.50 monthly access fee on the bill. I understand that my signature on this form means the following services will be provided to me by Countryconnect: IntraLATA (in-state) and InterLATA (state-to-state).

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Adam Anglin of Amite County$1,000 Hugh Arant Scholarship, attends MSU

Meredith McCurdy of Panola County$2,000 YF&R Scholarship, attends MSU

Emily Irwin of Carroll County$2,000 YF&R Scholarship, attends MSU

Trey Hebert of Lincoln County$2,000 YF&R Scholarship, attends HCC

Colbi Ann Parker of Copiah County$1,000 Don Waller Scholarship, attends MSU

Patricia Braddock of Jones County$2,000 YF&R Scholarship, attends MSU

2008-2009 YOUNG FARMERS AND RANCHERS FOUNDATION RECIPIENTS

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CONVENTION COVERAGE

Coverage of the 87th Annual Meeting ofthe Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation,held December 6-8 in Jackson, will run inthe March-April issue of our publication.

Special conferences, contest winners,award recipients and election coveragewill be featured. Come with us as we lookback, through photos and articles, at thisexciting event.

Farm Bureau offers manybenefits that you may notknow about. For moreinformation, see page 31.Start taking advantageof the valuable benefitsoffered by your FarmBureau membership!

Call toll-free 1-800-362-FARMContact your state office or visit www.countryconnect.us for more information

© 2008 Countryconnect ® All Rights Reserved. Powered by IBFA, a subsidiary of Telava Networks, Inc.

MAKETHE CONNECTION

Mail to: Countryconnect 1850 Howard Street, Suite C Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

1-800-362-FARM

Letter of AgencyI choose Countryconnect, powered by IBFA, as my primary long-distance provider for the service(s) and telephone number(s) indicated below and I authorize Countryconnect to act as my agent by notifying my local telephone company of this choice. I am legally responsible for the payment of charges incurred on the telephone number(s) listed below and that I have the authority to change the prescribed 1+ long-distance carrier providing service to these numbers. Further, I recognize that I can have only one primary long-distance company for a given telephone number, that I will no longer be pre-subscribed to my current long-distance carrier’s service(s) and that my local telephone company may impose a charge for this and any later change. I understand that my long-distance service will be billed directly by and payable to Countryconnect. There will be a $1.50 monthly access fee on the bill. I understand that my signature on this form means the following services will be provided to me by Countryconnect: IntraLATA (in-state) and InterLATA (state-to-state).

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