BROOKHAVEN, Miss. — Scott and Suzanne Lindsey of Smithdale recently learned about the role they can play in shaping the policy that affects this country’s farmers and ranchers. They were among 28 young agricultural producers selected to attend the 2011 Farm Credit Young Leaders Program. Member-borrowers of Southern AgCredit, which is part of the Farm Credit System, the couple interacted with government, financial and agricultural decision-makers and got an inside look at how the System operates.

During the sixth annual event, sponsored by the Tenth District Farm Credit Council, participants traveled to New York City and Washington, D.C., while the 2012 Farm Bill was taking form. Each lending co-op in the district chose participants who have shown outstanding leadership and involvement in the agriculture industry.

Scott and Suzanne own more than 450 acres of timberland in Amite County, and Scott owns another 600 acres with his father and brother. A graduate of Mississippi State University, Scott is a registered forester in Mississippi and Louisiana and is involved in conservation and forestry organizations. He also has been named the No. 1 salesman at United Country – Gibson Realty for three years in a row.

A visit to the U.S. House Chamber during a vote capped off the four-day trip, which included meetings with agriculture industry representatives, Farm Credit Council officials and congressional staff in Washington, D.C. The group also had a briefing at the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation and toured a Wall Street brokerage firm in New York City.

November 18, 2011