Ronnie Anderson, a beef cattle producer and forage grower from Ethel, has been re-elected president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.

Anderson, 62, begins his 24th term as president of the state’s largest general farm organization. His re-election took place during the Farm Bureau’s 90th annual meeting on July 1.

“This has been a critical year for agriculture as we await the new Farm Bill,” Anderson said. “The Senate version promises to be devastating to our rice farmers and the crop insurance policy will not be useful to Louisiana farmers as a whole.

“Whether the House and the Senate are able to wrangle out a bill this year or pass a one-year extension, Farm Bureau will be pushing harder for legislation more favorable to Louisiana growers,” Anderson added. “The Farm Bill was the topic not only of most of the speakers during this year’s convention, but the talk of many farmers throughout the week.”

The Farm Bureau also re-elected four members of its executive committee. The Farm Bureau board of directors is made up of a five-member executive committee and an 11-member board of directors. ach member is a production farmer, actively engaged in agriculture.

Those elected July 1 to the Farm Bureau’s executive committee were Jim Harper, first vice president. Harper is a cotton, rice and sugar farmer from Rapides Parish.

Scott Wiggers, a grain and cotton producer from Fort Necessity, in Franklin Parish, was re-elected second vice president.

Linda Zaunbrecher, a rice farmer from Gueydan, in Vermilion Parish, was re-elected third vice president.

Jackie Theriot was re-elected Farm Bureau secretary treasurer. Theriot is a sugar producer and sugar trade specialist in St. Martin Parish.

Members of the Farm Bureau’s 11-member board of directors serve in two-year terms. Even-numbered districts are elected in even-numbered years.

Cattle producer Jimmy Marsalis, of Athens, was reelected to represent District 1. Serving farmers in District 2 will be Emerson “Butch” Oaks, a poultry producer from Ouachita Parish, while William Stutts, a grain producer from West Carroll, will represent farmers in District 3, in Northeast Louisiana.

Ronnie Owens, a poultry producer from Natchitoches, will represent farmers in District 4, in Central Louisiana. Serving District 5, in Central Louisiana, will be David Smith, a grain producer from DeQuincy, in Beauregard Parish. In District 6 farmers will be represented by Kenny Self of New Roads in Pointe Coupee Parish.

Kim Frey, a rice and crawfish producer will represent farmers in District 7, in southwest Louisiana, from Eunice in Acadia Parish.

Chad Hanks, a sugar grower from Lafayette, will represent District 8, while District 9 will be represented by Jimmy Norsworthy, a beef cattle producer from Jackson.

District 10 will be represented by sugar producer Greg Gravois from Vacherie, in St. James Parish, while District 11 will be represented by John Landry, a cattle producer from Belle Rose.

Clayton Hurdle, a sugarcane and grain from Rosedale, Iberville Parish, was reelected chairman of the Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.

Denise Cannatella, a grain producer from Melville, in St. Landry Parish, was elected chairman of the Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee.

The YF&R chairman and the Women’s Committee chair serve as ex-officio members of the Farm Bureau board of directors.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation wrapped up its convention July 1. Nearly 2,000 farmers and their families attended the annual event.

The Farm Bureau is a non-profit, private volunteer membership organization of Louisiana farmers and ranchers.