Meet the Storys of Cauthron (Scott Co.), finalists for this year’s Arkansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award. The Storys found a home in Arkansas after taking on the challenge of taming land that sat dormant for some time. They have a herd of Brahman and crossbred cattle and have implemented multi-species grazing with Black Belly and Dorper sheep. Learn more about the work that made them finalists this year.

Meet the Beardens of Friendship (Hot Spring Co.), winners of this year’s Arkansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award. The Beardens own and operate Fowler & Bearden Farm where they raise 250 cow-calf pairs. In addition to their cattle, they own a set of timber, grow hay and raise horses and cross-bred sheep. The Beardens are the sixth and seventh generation and had the unique opportunity to purchase their own part of the family farm before it transitioned ownership. Learn more about how the Beardens have built an award-winning farming operation.

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Meet Chris and Brooklyn Heiser of Lamar (Johnson Co.), they are finalists for the Arkansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Ag Award. The Heisers have a commercial and registered cattle herd of SimAngus and angus cattle. Off the farm, Chris manages Wilkins Farms and Brooklyn manages Sweet Treats Sandwich and Pie Shop. Learn more about the couple, their growing farm and their desire to give back to their community and agriculture.

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Meet the McCartys! Dayton and Lauren McCarty of Mountain View (Stone Co.) are finalists for the Arkansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award. The McCartys have six broiler houses, a registered black angus herd and produce commercial hay. Learn more about the couple, their growing farm and their children in our new video.

Aubreigh Scissom, 14, and Katelyn Roy, also 14, were the winners in their respective categories in the 2023 Arkansas Farm Bureau Rice Is Nice Youth Cooking Contest, June 27 at the state fairgrounds in Little Rock. Scissom’s Baked Rice Pudding recipe won the “Party Ideas” category, while Roy’s Pressure Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice earned the top spot in the “Main Dish” category.

Ten-year-old Bailey Dobbs of Prairie Grove and 14-year-old Emma Wilson of Vilonia took first place in their respective categories in the 2023 Arkansas Farm Bureau Dairy Foods Contest, June 27 at the state fairgrounds in Little Rock. Dobbs’ Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas recipe won the “Main Dishes” category, while Wilson’s Mini Chocolate Cream Pies desert earned the top spot in the “Party Ideas” category.

Storms brought destructive winds across several parts of the state. Clay Parker’s Farm in Carlisle saw wind gusts up to 90 mph damaging corn crops, grain bins, and other structures.

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