Louisiana's most influential agriculture voice is electing a new leader at Farm Bureau

Louisiana's most influential agriculture voice will choose a new leader this weekend at the annual Farm Bureau Convention in New Orleans, where more than 1,500 farmers and their families are gathering Thursday to set the course for the state's $13 billion industry that wields considerable political clout.

Acadiana farmer Richard Fontenot, who is currently serving as the Farm Bureau's third vice president, is campaigning for president with no announced opposition.

If Fontenot wins Sunday's election as expected, he will replace current President Jim Harper, a Rapides Parish producer who has led the organization for the past four years but isn't seeking reelection.

"Anytime you have a chance to offer to serve and share leadership with members like this who share the same passion to promote and protect agriculture it's a blessing," said Fontenot, 55. "I can't think of a more important calling than nurturing an industry that provides food and fiber to the world."

Fontenot, his wife Rhonda, and his brother Neal's family are farming the same rich Evangeline Parish land that their family has tended for four generations and 100 years on the edge of Ville Platte.

They primarily produce crawfish, rice and soybeans.

"Without Neal's support I wouldn't be able to leave the farm to dedicate the time that the Farm Bureau service needs and deserves," Fontenot said.

Fontenot grew up in what he describes as the Farm Bureau family, attending the convention as a teenager with his parents Bryan and Cenevieve when his dad was a Farm Bureau parish president.

Richard and Rhonda Fontenot's son Lance, 17, is following the family tradition and will return from a national 4-H shooting competition in time for his father's election along with Fontenot's parents.

"It's really a humbling opportunity to grow and serve and defend ag issues and values from Baton Rouge to Washington, D.C.," Fontenot said.

Fontenot praised Harper for his leadership, which began during the COVID pandemic.

"Jim and his family have spent decades putting Farm Bureau first," Fontenot said. "I can't say enough about the legacy of his service."

Harper, an LSU graduate who has been farming for four decades years from his Cheneyville home with his wife Debbie, said the annual convention is a family reunion for agriculture.

“We are thrilled to be holding this family-friendly event, which brings together so many different commodities so critical to Louisiana’s economy,” said Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper.  “We will establish our grassroots policies directly from farmers and ranchers, especially critical as Washington is deciding on a new Farm Bill.”

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Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana's most influential agriculture voice is electing a new leader at Farm Bureau