Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) has announced that Jim Barbour of Susquehanna County has been elected to the organization’s State Board of Directors during PFB’s 65th Annual Meeting in Hershey.

“Farm Bureau gives us an opportunity to make tomorrow better for all of us. I believe that when farmers work together, we can make a difference,” said Jim Barbour.

Barbour, who grows vegetables and owns a produce farm and catering business, was selected to represent farmers from District 1, which is comprised of Lackawanna, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. Barbour has been extremely involved in Farm Bureau, recently serving as Vice President of the Susquehanna County Farm Bureau and a member of the state Ag Promotion Committee.

“Individually we are farm families. Collectively through Farm Bureau we are a family of farmers with a strong united voice,” added Barbour. “Through our policy process we have the opportunity to effect change in the legislative landscape on every level, working to lessen overbearing regulations and bringing a common sense balance to safe food production, while still being environmentally responsible.”

Barbour also believes that engaging the public is a key characteristic of being a farmer.

“In this day that we are living, it seems that most people have very little understanding of what it takes to get food from the ground to the grocery store. We are very actively involved in agriculture promotion and education, working to lessen the apparent disconnect between farmers and consumers,” concluded Barbour.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the state’s largest farm organization with a volunteer membership of more than 61,400 farm and rural families, representing farms of every size and commodity across Pennsylvania.