According to a Mississippi Farm Bureau press release, the program is open for young Mississippi professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and owners and operators of agribusinesses. It also includes extended agricultural industry specialists such as foresters or conservationists. The first class will begin in fall 2017. Under the guidance of Professor Laura Greenhaw, MSU Extension Service Assistant, the program was developed over three years. Mike McCormick (Farm Bureau President) said, “This program is something I’ve wanted to see ever since I was elected Farm Bureau president in 2014.” “The average Mississippi farmer is now nearly 60 years old. We need more people interested in our industry’s future because we won’t be a global leader if it isn’t successful.”