The affairs of the association shall be managed by a board of not less than five (5) directors, elected by the members or stockholders from their own number and shall have all rights and powers as provided for under the general corporation laws of this state, and such other powers as may be necessary to the proper execution of provisions of this chapter. The bylaws may provide that the territory in which the association has members shall be divided into districts and that the directors shall be elected according to such districts. In such case the bylaws shall specify the number of directors to be elected by each district, the manner and method of reapportioning the directors and of redistricting the territory covered by the association. The bylaws may provide that primary elections should be held in each district to elect the directors apportioned to such districts and the result of all such primary elections must be ratified by the next regular meeting of the association or may be considered final as to the association.

The bylaws may provide that one or more directors may be appointed by the president of Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science or such other public official, commission, association or board as may be indicated by such bylaws. Such directors shall represent primarily the interest of the general public in such associations. The director or directors so appointed need not be members or stockholders of the association, but shall have the same powers and rights as other directors. Such directors shall not number more than one-fifth (⅕) of the entire number of directors.

The directors of an association may provide a fair remuneration for the time actually spent by its officers, directors and employees in its service. No director, during the term of his office, shall be a party to a contract for profit with the association, differing in any way from the business relations accorded regular members or holders of common stock of the association.

The bylaws may provide for an executive committee and may allot to such committee all the functions and powers of the board of directors, subject to the general direction and control of the board.

When a vacancy on the board of directors occurs, other than by expiration of term, the remaining members of the board, by a majority vote, shall fill the vacancy unless the bylaws provide for an election of directors by districts. In such a case the board of directors shall immediately call a special election to be voted in by the members or stockholders in that district to fill the vacancy.