Missouri Farm Bureau Federation members elected Garrett Hawkins as its next President, taking the reins from long-time outgoing president Blake Hurst. As noted by Agri-Pulse, Hawkins becomes the youngest state farm bureau president at 40. Over the weekend, the organization elected Hawkins over Vice President Todd Hays and USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Richard Fordyce. Hawkins has deep roots within Missouri Farm Bureau. He served as a Youth Ambassador and was active in Collegiate Farm Bureau at Missouri State University. He also served as a summer legislative intern for the organization before leading its national lobbying efforts and policy development process for nearly 15 years as the director of national legislative programs. From 2017 to 2019, Hawkins served as deputy director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Hawkins says, “Our family made this decision together and we intend to serve together, adding, “We believe strongly in the grassroots mission of this organization and look forward to serving its members over the next two years.”