Bankston Reflects on Blessings of Farm Bureau Journey

By Jeff Helms

When Emmanuel Bankston traveled to Washington, D.C., last month as the newest member of Farm Bureau's Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee, it marked the pinnacle of a leadership career that's spanned 14 years and three states.

"Being able to tell people their food is healthy, nutritious and was grown sustainably by hard-working American farmers is a story worth telling," said the Henry County farmer. "If I can do any little part to promote our industry and help the consumer understand where their food comes from, that's my life's work."

Bankston is uniquely equipped for the task. The son of a U.S. Marine, the 35-year-old moved a lot as a child, but he never felt more at home than on his grandparents' farm.

"I'm what you would call a 'skip-generation farmer,'" he said. "My granddad raised cattle in Georgia. That's where I picked up the love and the passion for agriculture.

"When I moved to Alabama, I really wanted to get back into the cattle business."

Bankston's journey to his 400-acre spread wound through Clemson University, where he earned a bachelor's degree and was elected to the South Carolina YF&R Committee. Then it was on to New Orleans for his first job with Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) and a stint on the Louisiana state committee.

When ADM brought him to Headland to run the Golden Peanut buying point, Bankston began working to make his farming dreams a reality.

"This is my first farm. I purchased it back in 2020 before COVID," said Bankston as he surveyed lush spring grazing, his shoulders straightening. "It's my pride and joy."

A beef herd that started with two calves in Bankston's backyard now numbers 150 cows. His work to improve forage quality, build cross-fencing for rotational grazing and install off-stream watering troughs was a labor of love. Recently, he purchased an adjacent 72-acre farm with 50 acres under irrigation, noting it's a "game changer" for his operation.

Bankston credits wise counsel from seasoned local farmers and encouragement from Farm Bureau friends across the country for his success.

"I wouldn't be able to build my farm to where it is today had I not been involved in three different Farm Bureaus," he said. "Their stories inspired me to say, 'I could be a farmer.' I knew I probably wasn't going to inherit my family farm in Georgia, but I was able to build a network of people who understood agriculture."

He added, "Most of the people I work with, that I'm friends with, are involved in Farm Bureau. I've been to a lot of weddings and a lot of funerals of Farm Bureau members. They all mean a lot to me. Most of the great leaders I know are members of Farm Bureau."

Bankston is on the Henry County Farmers Federation board, where he revitalized the county Young Farmers program. He also won the 2020 state Excellence in Agriculture contest and competed nationally. In December, Bankston completed four years on the Alabama Farmers Federation State Young Farmers Committee, including a term as vice chairman. A month later, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall appointed him to the national committee.

Bankston said it's an opportunity to give back to the organization.

"I want to make it better and make sure that if you're a young person involved in agriculture, the first thing you think about when you want to get involved is, 'I want to be part of Farm Bureau,' or 'I want to be part the Alabama Farmers Federation,'" he said. "My goal is to build a culture, recruit more members and get those young kids who are finishing college or in high school involved and help them understand what Farm Bureau does."

Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer said Bankston embodies the organization's heritage of leadership development.

"From collegiate Farm Bureau to YF&R and through service on three different state committees to the national level, Emmanuel has built a strong network, remained deeply engaged in the process and established himself as a respected leader among farmers - no matter their age - across the country," McBrayer said. "He understands the grassroots organization as well as anyone I know, and I am excited to watch him serve young farmers nationwide."

For Bankston, it's all about sustainability - whether he's revitalizing irrigation and grazing in his pastures, helping other producers improve soil health as ADM's regen ag manager for the Southeast or inspiring the next generation of young farmers.

"If someone asks me what my greatest blessing is, I tell them I've been blessed to be around good people," he said. "From the time I was a little kid with my granddad who taught me about agriculture to now, I've gotten to meet generations of farmers and help make sure they stay in business and help make sure their story is told. I get to live my dream every day."