MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Chassaniol, Clarke, Jackson (15th), Younger, Simmons (13th), Simmons (12th), Whaley, Hudson, Jordan, Jackson (11th), Jolly, Barnett, Caughman, Dearing, Fillingane, Hopson, Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION JOINING THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY IN HONORING GLENDORA PRODUCER MIKE STURDIVANT III UPON HIS RECEIPT OF "MISSISSIPPI'S 2017 SWISHER SWEETS/SUNBELT AG EXPO FARMER OF THE YEAR" AWARD.
WHEREAS, publicity was not on the mind of Mike Sturdivant III in 1974 when he began farming, so his response to being named the "2017 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year" for Mississippi was one of surprise. The fifth-generation producer, who grows cotton, corn and soybeans in Glendora, stated, "Our family has never sought the limelight. We just do what we can do and try to do things for others"; and
WHEREAS, one resource Sturdivant said has played a constant role in his success is the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The Mississippi State University Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville is not far away from Sturdivant's farm, called Due West. "The Extension Service has been instrumental in everything we've done. Whenever we had questions, they had the answers"; and
WHEREAS, Due West got its name from being located west of the site Sturdivant's great-great-grandfather moved to in Tallahatchie County in the 1850s. His family moved to the current location 30 years later. Mike Sturdivant bought land on his own and managed it before gradually taking over his late father's farming interest. Mike oversees day-to-day operations on the now 12,000-acre property, while his brothers, Walker and Sykes, manage the operation's crop-marketing services, grain elevator, and cotton gin; and
WHEREAS, the Extension Service has grown variety-trial crops on Sturdivant's land over the years. In the early days, a lot of corn and soybean varieties were developed by Extension. There were different methods with growing corn, and Extension agents and specialists showed what the best practices were. Tallahatchie County Extension Agent Jimbo Burkhalter said Sturdivant is an innovative producer because of his willingness to adapt as crop-production technology evolves. He consults Extension specialists and refers to Extension publications whenever he sees an issue on his land. Burkhalter said Mike Sturdivant believes staying updated on production methods and technology is necessary for survival; and
WHEREAS, Mike Sturdivant's wife, Jan, has an Extension tie through her work with 4-H equine programs in Mississippi. A Certified Instructor, she works to make horsemanship programs safer through education. She believes teaching and crop production require similar qualities to maintain success over time; and
WHEREAS, Mike Sturdivant has a real gift for leadership and working with people of all backgrounds. He also has very high standards and the energy to reach them. Mike assesses different styles of getting things done and picking one that is going to work the best for his operation; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and recognize a most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi who is a wonderful example for producers in the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby join the Mississippi Delta Agriculture Community in honoring Glendora Producer Mike Sturdivant III upon his receipt of "Mississippi's 2017 Swisher Sweet/Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year" Award, and extend our congratulations to Mike and his family on this high honor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mike Sturdivant III and his family, forwarded to the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.