Our great state is home to scores of farmers and ranchers who work the soil and raise livestock to feed and clothe our nation and well beyond. As a member of Congress, it is an honor to act on their behalf in Washington, D.C.
Recently, the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation assembled a team of farmers and leaders in the agricultural field to meet with federal officials, including Mississippi's congressional delegation. Jay Slater was among those in attendance.
Jay is a seventh-generation farmer, proudly continuing a family tradition in the rural backroads of Tishomingo County. His passion for agriculture led him to pursue a degree in Agribusiness at Mississippi State University.
"In 2015, I began working for Mississippi Land Bank where I focus on young people who are beginning with small farms," Jay said. "Even though I came from a long line of farmers, full-time farming was not in the cards for me. I have moved for work, and I know what it is like to want to buy land, a tractor, and in my case, cows." Jay and his wife, Madilyn, have recently started a farm of their own purchasing 20 cows.
All in all, farmers are struggling with higher input prices and declining profits. It has and continues to be a goal of Team Kelly to assist our farmers. The Farmer Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act of 2024 (FARM Act) provides assistance to farmers when their revenue falls below the cost of production due to circumstances beyond their control.
"We traveled to Washington to meet with our representatives to give them an update on current challenges experienced by our farmers and to thank them for the assistance they have already provided," Jay said. "Additionally, we discussed the ice storm damage – another big issue."
Through my role on the House Agriculture Committee, I will continue to make sure the voice of our farmers and ranchers is heard on Capitol Hill.
