Named one of America’s Best Young Farmers in 2021, Christi is a standout producer who is building on her family’s long farming legacy with innovation.  She’s the fourth generation to work their land in the Mississippi Delta and she’s constantly focused on making her operation more productive, efficient, and sustainable for the next generation.

Christi started farming part-time with her father, James Bland, after college.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Mississippi College, and got her master’s degree from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee.   In 2017, she formed her own farming corporation, CMB Farm LLC.

“We primarily grow soybeans, rice, and wheat,” says Christi, “But rice is my favorite crop.  We strive to plant a third of our acres in rice each year, and I’ve spent a lot of time learning about new seed varieties and different watering practices to maximize output.”