From October 11 to 19, 2025, the American Council on Germany hosted the Leadership Mission in Agriculture Policy, an intensive, weeklong transatlantic program exploring the agricultural landscape of the American South. Supported by The Halle Foundation, the delegation brought together German and American agricultural leaders, policymakers, and practitioners for a first-hand look at how U.S. farms, industries, and institutions are navigating the challenges and opportunities of modern agriculture. Traveling through Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, participants examined regional approaches to production, sustainability, innovation, and agricultural policy while fostering dialogue with farmers, industry executives, researchers, and state officials.
The mission began in Memphis, Tennessee, where the group gathered for an informal evening of networking and local culture before setting out to explore the agricultural richness of the Mississippi Delta.
On Sunday morning, the group were met in Memphis by 2024 Agriculture Fellows Craig Hankins, Regional Manager and Commodity Coordinator for the Mississippi Farm Bureau, and Jon Koehler Bibb, Owner of The Bibb Company. Getting onto a bus, the participants crossed into Mississippi and visited Sandy Ridge Farm to learn about sweet potato production and mechanization on a family-run operation. The day continued with a multi-stop tour that highlighted the region’s diversity of crops and processing facilities, including Tunica Gin Corporation (cotton ginning and fiber processing), Banks Rice Mill (rice milling and distribution), and Pride of the Pond (a leading catfish aquaculture operation). The evening concluded with a quintessential Southern gathering — a Mississippi fish fry hosted by the Bibb Family — where participants engaged in lively discussions about the economic realities of Southern agriculture, market volatility, and the importance of community resilience in rural life. Special guests included Mike McCormick, President of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, and Tom Withers, President of the Tunica County Farm Bureau.
On Monday, the group turned its focus to agricultural policymaking with a U.S. Agriculture Policy Roundtable hosted at the National Cotton Council Headquarters in Cordova, Tennessee. This session provided a deep dive into the intersection of government and industry, featuring remarks from Dr. Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council; Mike McCormick, of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation; and Justin Ferguson, National Affairs Coordinator at the Federation. The discussion explored how U.S. policy impacts producers, trade dynamics, and global competitiveness — key topics for transatlantic understanding.
After leaving the greater Memphis area, the group then visited Hill Farms in Jackson, Tennessee and met with Robert Hill (2024 Agriculture Fellow). They had the opportunity to see cotton harvesting and ride in cotton-pickers before sharing dinner with the Hill family and local producers, including Jai Templeton, former Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, Matt Fennel, Tennessee Farm Bureau Field Staff; Karl and Erika Forsbach, both German farmers now living in Tennessee; among others.
The third day of the mission offered an overview of Tennessee’s agricultural diversity, beginning with a visit to the Tyson Hatchery in Humboldt to observe operations in poultry genetics and biosecurity. From there, the delegation toured Tosh Farms, one of the largest pig production and processing enterprises in Tennessee, where participants examined waste management systems, feed efficiency strategies, and animal welfare practices. The group met with Tosh Farms co-owner Jamey Tosh, who discussed row crops and agriculture technology advancements. The afternoon included a visit to Triple J Farms, where owner Lee Bagwell (2024 Agriculture Fellow) showed how tobacco is cultivated in Cedar Hill, TN, by smoking it in wooden barns.
That evening, the group was welcomed at the Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville, home to the Tennessee Agricultural Museum. Discussions with Andy Holt, Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, emphasized how state-level initiatives support innovation, rural economic development, and environmental stewardship. Following dinner, the group explored Nashville’s vibrant downtown — a cultural highlight of the journey.
Midweek, participants continued southward to Georgia, stopping first at Nash Creamery to learn about small-scale dairy operations and value-added production. This was followed by a visit to the Uncle Nearest Distillery for a demonstration of Tennessee Walking Horses and a conversation about agri-tourism and its economic importance to rural communities. After a stop at the historic Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, the delegation traveled on to Georgia.
After a long drive through Alabama, the group arrived at Jackson Farms in Cave Springs, GA, where they were hosted for dinner on a beautiful lakefront farm. They were welcomed by Cleve Jackson (2024 Agriculture Fellow), President of the Floyd County Farm Bureau; Emilia Jackson, Georgia Farm Bureau District 1 Women’s Leadership Committee Chair-elect; and several other state and county farm bureau board members, who provided a relaxed setting for exchange with local producers and agricultural entrepreneurs.
On Thursday, the program turned its attention to Georgia’s poultry and cattle industries, two of the state’s most significant agricultural sectors. At the Georgia Poultry Lab Network in Gainesville, participants met with Dr. Doug Waltman, Bacteriology Laboratory Technical Liaison and Technical Logistics Support, to learn about veterinary diagnostics, disease prevention, and the global significance of Georgia’s poultry exports. While there, the group also met with Mike Giles, President of the Georgia Poultry Federation, who discussed the importance of the poultry industry to Georgia’s economy. Lunch followed at Black Family Farm, hosted by Gary Black, former Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, and Caroline Lewallen, owner of teXga and a 2022 Agricultural Fellow. The discussions highlighted the evolving relationship between farm policy, consumer preferences, and sustainable production. Later that day, the group crossed into South Carolina, where they were welcomed by Richard Floyd (2024 Agriculture Fellow), Co-Owner of Low Country Farms. There, they enjoyed a meal at a local restaurant which proudly serves produce grown and pork raised on Low Country Farms.
Kicking off Friday morning, the group visited Low Country Farms, where they saw peanut production, grit processing, and row crops. The participants were welcomed by Co-Owner Megan Floyd (2024 Agriculture Fellow), who serves as the Southern Region Representative on the American Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Committee. She spoke to the group about the importance of advocacy and the role of women in agriculture. Visits to low-country farms provided context for the state’s efforts to balance traditional farming with growing coastal and environmental challenges. A meeting with the South Carolina Farm Bureau examined how state and local organizations advocate for farmers and influence policy at multiple levels. Also, while in South Carolina, the participants were able to explore Southern Palmetto Farms, a center for agri-tourism and education for children.
The delegation then continued to Wilmington, North Carolina, where they were met by DeShon Cromartie (2024 Agriculture Fellow), District Field Representative for the North Carolina Farm Bureau, for discussions centered on the role of agribusiness in coastal economies and the importance of regional collaboration. Before jumping into meetings, the group had the opportunity to jump into the Atlantic Ocean. For a few members of the delegation, it was their first time.
Saturday’s program focused on North Carolina’s agricultural innovation and legacy. The group visited the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Marine Science, an internationally recognized institution leading research in coastal ecosystems, aquaculture, and marine biotechnology. There, the group visited the University’s oyster farm. The visit underscored how climate and environmental science intersect with agricultural sustainability. Participants then toured Piney Woods Ranch, a third-generation operation that has transitioned from row crops to rotational grazing and grass-fed beef production — a model of adaptive, regenerative agriculture.
The day continued with a series of farm visits across eastern North Carolina, offering perspectives on scale, history, and innovation. At the Duplin County Farm Bureau, members of the county board shared insights into the structure of local Farm Bureaus and their role in connecting producers to policy discussions. At Strickland Family Farms, participants explored a seven-generation operation tracing its roots back to the Civil War era — a living example of continuity and adaptation in American farming. The final stop at Triple B Farms in Four Oaks introduced the group to sixth-generation farmer Brandon Batten (2024 Agricultural Fellow), whose family produces tobacco, corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay while integrating conservation-minded practices into traditional row-crop farming.
The mission concluded in Raleigh with a dinner hosted by the North Carolina Farm Bureau, where participants reflected on the week’s experiences and discussed lessons for agricultural leadership in a global context. At dinner, they were joined by North Carolina Farm Bureau President Shawn Harding, who offered insight into the challenges facing agriculture in the state.
Throughout the mission, participants witnessed the remarkable diversity of American agriculture — from large-scale agribusinesses to family-owned farms — and engaged in open dialogue about sustainability, food security, and rural development. Conversations often centered on the shared challenges facing farmers on both sides of the Atlantic: climate adaptation, labor shortages, market fluctuations, and public perception of agricultural practices.
By the program’s end, participants left with a deeper understanding of how U.S. agricultural policy operates at the federal, state, and local levels — and how these dynamics compare to European frameworks. More importantly, they strengthened transatlantic networks that will continue to inform and inspire agricultural cooperation for years to come. The Leadership Mission in Agriculture Policy demonstrated the enduring value of international exchange, showing that while farming methods may differ, the commitment to innovation, stewardship, and community remains a common thread across borders.
The Leadership Mission in the News:
- Read an article in dbk/Deutsche Bauern Korrespondenz, member magazine of the Deutscher Bauernverband (in German).
- Listen to a brief podcast about the group’s visit to Tennessee.