Charlie Adeola

Bossier City

Charlie Adeola is a County Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Minden, Louisiana. He oversees the implementation of Farm Bill programs, consults with agricultural producers, and conducts local outreach. Charlie has served with FSA since 2019. While working with FSA, Charlie learned more about agriculture in his profession by assisting the cattle operation “Double J Farms and Ranch” in Eunice, Louisiana, and touring different row crop operations.

Charlie is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and a 1st generation Nigerian American. Charlie played as a defensive tackle at Louisiana Tech University and earned his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business in 2019. Charlie enjoys visiting family and friends, traveling, hunting and fishing, and listening to music. Charlie lives in Bossier City with his dog Jedi. With his youth and enthusiasm, he is looking forward to making a change in the agricultural community.

Cassie Anderson

Liberty, MS

Cassie Anderson is an attorney and third-generation forest landowner. She lives on her family farm in Liberty, Mississippi, where she manages a large timber operation and oversees all aspects of land management. Cassie is licensed to practice law in both Louisiana and Mississippi, and owns and operates a title company in St. Francisville, Louisiana, specializing in residential and commercial real estate transactions. She holds a degree in Business Administration from Mississippi State University and a Juris Doctor from LSU Law.

Alongside her professional work, she serves as president of the Feliciana Forestry Association, a national board member of Turkeys for Tomorrow, a member of the Forest Landowners Association, and a former president of the Feliciana Parish Bar Association. She sees this program as an opportunity to gain a broader perspective on agriculture and strengthen her ability to advocate for the future of the forestry industry.

Matthew Bracy

Amite

Matthew Bracy is a second-generation Nurseryman from Tangipahoa Parish. He grew up spending countless summers working on his family’s farm before attending LSU and completing a BS degree in AgBusiness. After LSU, Matthew returned to Bracy’s Nursery with the plan to eventually manage the 270-acre wholesale nursery. He wanted to learn the nursery business from the ground-up, so for 5 years he interned under the managers in production, shipping, sales, and marketing. His jobs have included weeding, pulling orders, managing in-house sales, conducting inventory of 2 million plants, overseeing quality control, producing 40,000 Crape Myrtle trees, serving as Assistant Sales Manager, and finally becoming General Manager overseeing all aspects of Bracy’s Nursery. Matthew spends his free time assembling Legos and growing hot peppers to make his famous pepper jelly. He enjoys taking rides through the nursery with his wife LeeAnne and their 2-year-old daughter Charlee.

Patrick Brian

Monroe

Patrick Brian grew up in Baton Rouge, LA, and graduated from Louisiana State University in 2018 with a degree in Finance. His interest in the outdoors led him to a career in agriculture. In January 2019, he moved to Monroe, LA, to join Oak River Farms as a Senior Analyst. Outside of work, Patrick enjoys hunting, fishing, cooking, and following LSU sports.

Thomas Cancienne, Jr.

Belle Rose

Thomas Cancienne, Jr. is the Transportation and Agricultural Manager for Lula-Westfield Sugar Mills located in Paincourtville, LA. His family’s involvement in agriculture and sugar processing has steered him to a career in Agriculture. Thomas is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University with a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management. Belle Rose, LA is home for Thomas along with his wife and their two children. He spends his free time hunting and fishing in the outdoors of Louisiana, The Sportsman’s Paradise.

Grayson Close

Denham Springs

Grayson is currently a Grain Marketing Specialist for Louisiana Farm Bureau, where his daily responsibilities include tracking market trends and advising producers on grain marketing practices. Grayson grew up in Rapides Parish, assisting his father and Grandfather in their family produce brokerage until its closure. Grayson attended LA Tech, graduating in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in Ag Business. He then was hired by the LSU AgCenter as a research associate until he started with LA Farm Bureau in 2014. Grayson recently earned his M.B.A. through the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, further deepening his ability to assist Louisiana’s farmers. Grayson is married and has three children and currently resides in Denham Springs, LA.

Carter Crosby

New Orleans

Carter is the 5^th generation of his family to work in the timber industry. After graduating from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in forestry, he spent the beginning of his career working in California and Oregon for two large, privately owned, timber companies. He would eventually go on to receive a Masters in Forest Business and Investing from Auburn University. In 2020 he felt the need to be closer to family and returned to Louisiana. Today he works for his family’s resource management company. He oversees the operations on 138,000 acres of timberland in West Louisiana. He is a Society of American Foresters, Certified Forester and serves on the board of directors for the Forest Landowner Association. To relax, he enjoys spending time outdoors, typically on the water or in the mountains.

Misti Delahoussaye

Breaux Bridge

Misti Delahoussaye serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Sugar Growers and Refiners, Inc., in Breaux Bridge Louisiana. She is responsible for the strategic financial leadership within the organization including corporate finances, financial management processes, and business operations as related to the marketing of refined sugar. She has served the organization since 2013 overseeing several projects that have increased the organization’s profitability and long-term growth. Misti has prior experience in tax and audit accounting, along with public sector experience which has allowed her to bring a well-rounded perspective to the senior leadership team within Sugar Grower and Refiners, Inc. Misti’s main responsibility is to represent the finance function within the organization; however, she is also involved in representing and advocating for Louisiana sugarcane producers on a national level.

Misti is a native from St. Martin Parish. She obtained an accounting degree and an MBA from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In her free time, she enjoys group fitness classes, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Michael Deliberto, Jr.

Baton Rouge

Mike Deliberto is an agricultural economist with the LSU AgCenter where he has developed research and extension economic programming focusing on commodity market and agricultural policy analysis. Dr. Deliberto has a research, teaching, and extension appointment where he applies production economic and applied farm management principles to corn, cotton, rice, sorghum, soybean, sugarcane, wheat, and peanut crops produced in Louisiana. He is currently the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Endowed Professor in Agricultural Policy, a role that allows him to conduct in-depth policy evaluations for state, regional, and national agricultural entities. He received a B.S.F. degree in forestry and both his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in agricultural economics from LSU. Mike resides in Baton Rouge with his wife Bianca and enjoys duck hunting and supporting LSU athletics in his free time.

Carmen Denham

Welcome

Carmen was born, raised and still resides in Welcome, Louisiana. She is a 5th generation sugarcane family member in St. James Parish. She owns, along with her sisters, a sugarcane farm in Iberville Parish and a timber farm in Mississippi.

She currently is the Administrative Assistant for a local sugarcane farm, trucking company, cattle operation and works part time as a safety coordinator with a local

She has twin daughters who are both attending college. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, running and spending time with family and friends.

Hayden Duhon

Oscar

Hayden Duhon was born and raised in Pointe Coupee Parish. Growing up he has always loved the outdoors. He was a part of 4-H throughout high school and always knew that he wanted to be involved in some type of agriculture. He started out managing a large cattle operation and then decided to move into managing a sugarcane and grain farm which he currently still operates. During his free time he enjoys hunting, deep sea fishing, and being with family and friends.

Clay Hebert

Baton Rouge

Clay Hebert is the Vice President and Branch Manager for Louisiana Land Bank’s Port Allen Branch. Clay’s tenure with Louisiana Land Bank began in 2013, shortly after graduating from LSU with a B.S. in Agricultural Business. Clay also serves as President of the board of directors for the Louisiana Council of Farmer Cooperatives. Raised on his family’s pecan orchard in Brusly, Clay was immersed in agriculture from an early age. Clay presently resides in Baton Rouge with his wife, Christina, and their three boys – Sutton, Sawyer, and Shepherd.

Caitlin Joubert

Jennings

Caitlin Joubert works for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry – Office of Soil and Water Conservation. There, she works closely with the State’s 44 Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Louisiana landowners, and likeminded conservation partners and organizations to assess natural resources and address concerns though the implementation of agricultural conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs). Caitlin is the state coordinator for Project Water Education Today (Project WET), where she works with educators and students to promote water conservation and sustainability through hands-on demonstrations and activities.

Caitlin, and her best friend/husband Dustin are the proud parents of Rhett, William, and Avery. As a family they enjoy duck hunting, joining Dustin for his hunter retriever tests, spending time at their camp on Lake Arthur, and riding their boat.

Andre' Lanie

Jeanerette

Andre’ Lanie was born and raised in Youngsville, La. He is a fifth-generation farmer. In 2014, we expanded to St. Mary parish where we now farm 6000 acres. Andre’ farms alongside his brother and mother. He enjoys the outdoors in his free time if there is such a thing as free time.

Zachery LaSuzzo

Sterlington

Zach LaSuzzo was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana and graduated from St. Fredericks High School. Most of his life was spent at a baseball field or in the woods. Zach was blessed to have played baseball while attending LSU for two years. He moved back home and graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, earning a bachelor’s degree in general business.

In 2015, Zach started his career in Agriculture managing a grain elevator in Mer Rouge, Louisiana. Since then, he has served numerous roles including grain merchandising, safety, and facility operations across south Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana Deltas. Zach is currently the Assistant General Manager, managing operations for 7 locations, leading 80 employees for Consolidated Grain and Barge, Deep South Region.

His passions are discipleship, family, and outdoors, whether that’s chasing deer or ducks. Zach is a proud Christian, Husband, and Father. Zach and his wife Stephanie have two beautiful girls, Everly and Frankie, and we call Sterlington, Louisiana home.

Louis Lirette

Plaquemine

Louis Lirette works as the Agriculture Properties Manager at A. Wilbert’s Sons, LLC. where he oversees the day-to-day management of approximately 15,000 acres of agricultural properties. Additionally, Louis manages 1887 Farms Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of A. Wilbert’s Sons, LLC that farms sugarcane and soybeans on 4,500 acres in Plaquemine, Louisiana. Louis previously owned specialty vegetables, hog and duck farms that distributed directly to restaurants in the south. He also served as a County Agent in Iberville, West Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee Parishes for 10 years specializing in row crops (sugarcane) and livestock production. He is a member of the Louisiana Society of Sugarcane Technologist and is a member of the American Sugarcane League. Louis attended LSU receiving his BS and MS in Ag Education. Louis and his wife, Rebecca, live in Plaquemine with their many animals and their 2 sons both attend LSU. In his sparce spare time, Louis enjoys cooking, hunting and showing livestock.

Taylor Logan

Gilliam

Taylor Logan is a fourth generation farmer in northwest louisiana. Taylor and his dad grow cotton, corn, soybeans, and peanuts. He grew up in Gilliam, Louisiana and graduated from LSU in Baton Rouge before moving back to the farm. Taylor plans on continuing to grow the operation and expand the peanut production, and enjoys fishing and hunting in his free time.

David Mains

Many

David Mains, a second-generation poultry and cattle farmer from Sabine Parish, has dedicated 28 years to poultry production. Recently, he transitioned away from poultry and now focuses primarily on hay production. With more time available, David actively advocates for Louisiana's poultry producers through his involvement in the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. He was recently named President of the Sabine Parish Farm Bureau, reflecting his deep passion for agriculture. David enjoys collaborating with farmers across the state to share the vital role agriculture plays in our nation. He and his wife, Stephanie, along with their two children, William and Chloe, reside in Many, Louisiana.

Kody Meaux

Kaplan

Kody Meaux has worked for USDA-NRCS since 2008, when he started as an intern. Upon graduating from UL Lafayette in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture and a concentration in Agronomy, he started his full-time career with NRCS in DeRidder. After 5 years of service around the state, he and his wife Ashley settled back home in the community of Meaux, LA where they are raising their three children: Kelly, Caroline, and Leigh Anne.

Currently Kody is an Area Resource Conservationist (ARC) with NRCS and covers the southern half of the state. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, camping with his family, and working to build and grow a commercial sheep flock on his property in Meaux. Kody is involved with the Vermilion Parish Young Farmers and Ranchers, the Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau Board of Directors, among various other professional organizations.

Willis Nelson

Sondheimer

Willis Deshaun "Shun" Nelson Sr., a dedicated father of five, is a natural-born leader and a third-generation farmer from Sondheimer, Louisiana. Raised on the farm, he has spent his life immersed in agriculture and continues to thrive in this field alongside his three brothers. Over the past eight years, their farm has expanded, where they primarily grow soybeans, corn, and cotton.

Though he graduated high school in 2005 and played basketball while being involved in 4-H and FFA, Shun chose to pursue his true passion: farming, after initially studying accounting in college. As the designated economist and agronomist for his family’s operation, he is highly knowledgeable about the agricultural industry, understanding the challenges that farmers face year-round. This experience has empowered him to advocate for his community, educating others about farming and conservation practices.

Shun has been appointed to several prestigious boards, including the NRCS Parish Board and the FSA State Committee. He is deeply committed to his work in agricultural leadership, also serving on the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District to improve food access in one of Louisiana’s poorest regions. As a passionate advocate for Black farmers, he works tirelessly to ensure they have access to technology, knowledge, and a seat at the table in the agricultural industry. His involvement with the National Black Growers Council (NBGC) since 2017 has fueled this mission.

In addition to his work in farming, Shun is dedicated to dispelling negative myths about Black farmers and mentoring aspiring row crop farmers. He and his family provide vital resources to ensure success and have secured business deals that have elevated their farm to new heights. A strong believer in faith, integrity, and treating others with respect, Shun lives by the principles instilled in him by his parents.

Outside of farming, Shun enjoys spending time with his family, perfecting his barbecue skills, and reflecting on the words of Frederick Douglass: "If there is no struggle, there is no progress." With a passion for advancing the future of agriculture, Shun remains committed to uplifting Black farmers and paving the way for the next generation.

Nolan Parker

Lake Providence

Nolan Parker is a row-crop farmer from Lake Providence, LA. Parker raises Cotton, Corn, Soybeans, and Rice in both East and West Caroll Parish with his business partner Matthew Brown. He also operates a small free-range chicken operation for egg production. Parker attended Mississippi State University where he pursued his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering Technology & Business with a minor in Geospatial Remote Sensing. He went on to pursue his Master of Science in Agronomy from Mississippi State after completing his undergraduate degree. Parker flew manned and unmanned aircraft for aerospace research at Mississippi State’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory before returning home to Louisiana to farm. Currently, Parker farms alongside his business partner and closely collaborates with his father’s farming operation. Parker also works for Revive Delta LLC, a corporate farming company, serving as their Operations Manager for the Delta Region.

Roddy Patout

New Iberia

Roddy Patout is a dedicated supervisor at Sterling Sugars, LLC, one of three raw sugar factories owned by M.A. Patout & Son, a family-owned company that has been a cornerstone of the sugar industry in South Louisiana. With a strong presence across the region, M.A. Patout processes nearly a third of Louisiana’s sugarcane into raw sugar and black strap molasses. In his role, Roddy assists in overseeing the hauling logistics and collaborates closely with local farmers to ensure smooth operations and efficient processing. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Roddy serves as a board member of the Iberia Parish Farm Bureau, actively contributing to the agricultural community in his area. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time outdoors and is an avid outdoorsman. His passion for nature and his deep roots in his community make him both a dedicated professional and a devoted family man. Roddy resides in New Iberia, LA with his wife, Amber, and their 2-year-old son, Reid.

Madison Plaisance

Baton Rouge

Madison Plaisance is a third-generation cattle rancher and a dedicated advocate for agriculture. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness and a master's degree in Agricultural Economics from Louisiana State University, where she developed a strong foundation in agricultural policy, economics, and industry leadership.

As a Commodity and Public Policy Coordinator for the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Madison works to represent and support Louisiana’s farmers and ranchers. Her portfolio includes livestock, equine, poultry, dairy, forestry, cotton, and environmental issues, allowing her to engage in a wide range of agricultural policy discussions. Through her work, she helps shape policies that protect and promote the interests of Louisiana’s agricultural community, ensuring their voices are heard at the state and federal levels.

With deep roots in agriculture and a passion for advocating on behalf of producers, Madison is committed to strengthening Louisiana’s agricultural industry for future generations.

Mason Spillman

St. Francisville

Mason Spillman is a 4th generation cattle farmer from St. Francisville, LA. He grew up helping his father and grandfather with day-to-day operations around their small farm. Mason was involved in 4H and Farm Bureau from a very young age and has always had a passion for agriculture. Mason attended West Feliciana High School and Louisiana State University before pursuing his career as a Wildlife Enforcement Agent for the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries. Over his 11 years as a game warden, Mason has thoroughly enforced game and fish laws making sure that “Sportsman’s Paradise” can be enjoyed for generations to come. Mason lives just outside of St. Francisville with his wife, Taylor. His hobbies include hunting, golf and LSU sports.

Nicholas Van Mol

Lake Providence

Nicholas Van Mol is a First-Generation Farmer from Lake Providence in Northeast Louisiana. Nick’s farming career started as a teenager working on the farm for Mr. Charles Tate during the summers, where later in life he took over after Mr. Tate retired. He farms soybeans, cotton and corn. Nick has been happily married for 10 years to my wife, Mary. They have two children, Kason, is 9, and our Evie, who is 7. He enjoys all outdoors things including hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time on the lake with his family. Nick got into agricultural leadership roles in high school as the President of our FFA Chapter. Before graduating from LATECH in 2012, he served as the vice president of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Most recently, Nick had the honor of being a participant of the 40th class of the ASA Young Leaders Program. He currently has memberships with The American Soybean Association, National Cotton Council, Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association, and Louisiana Farm Bureau. He is grateful every day to be blessed by God with the job he has as a farmer, and the opportunity to share agricultural and its importance with others.

Dustin Wright

Winnsboro

Dustin Wright, a native of Franklin Parish, Louisiana, grew up on a family farm where he developed a strong appreciation for the agricultural community. After earning a Business degree from Louisiana Tech in 2009, he then returned home to live and work. Dustin began his banking career with the Farm Credit System in 2010 before transitioning to commercial banking in 2014. His commitment to professional growth led him to earn a graduate degree from the LSU School of Banking in 2018. Today, he serves as the AVP of Ag & Commercial Lending at Winnsboro State Bank. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashley, and their son, Evan, in their home in Winnsboro. He is passionate about hunting, sports, and all things outdoors.