This week’s Arkansas AgCast comes to you live from the 77th Annual Arkansas Farm Bureau Officers and Leaders Conference in Rogers. In today’s episode, we have updates on the New World screwworm fly issues in Central America and Mexico. We also take a look at Arkansas’s investment in local fairs and livestock shows, with more than $1.4 million awarded through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Fair Funding Program. Plus, we sit down with keynote speaker Carey Portell, a nationally recognized author and inspirational speaker, to talk about the power of agriculture in her journey.

ROGERS, Ark. – Dalton and Skiver Dilldine of Blytheville (Mississippi County) and Reed Kelley of Saltillo (Faulkner County) earned the top Young Farmers & Ranchers awards Thursday during Arkansas Farm Bureau’s annual Officers & Leaders Conference at the Rogers Convention Center. The awards honor young farmers and ranchers ages 18-35 for the general excellence of their operations and their hard work and innovation.

At this year’s Officers & Leaders conference in Rogers, young farmers and ranchers were honored for their operations, hard work and innovation. Dalton & Skiver Dilldine were the recipients of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award and Reed Kelley took home the Excellence Award. Hear from both winners on what the award means to them and their operations.

Meet Tye and Danielle Rudolph of Huntsville! Danielle is one among three finalists for the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award. Danielle is a first-generation farmer and works as a certified nursing assistant and paraprofessional. The Rudolph family began farming with leased property and a small cattle herd and have grown to own a cow-calf operation with the addition of a small flock of hair sheep. Farming with their daughter, Tye and Danielle have hopes to increase their regenerative farm practices in the future. Watch to learn more about the Rudolph family and their farm.

Greenway Equipment recently showcased new technology for farmers, and the main attraction was the new autonomous tractor by John Deere. In a time where margins are very thin, hear farmers explain how this technology could possibly help them be more efficient and cost effective in their operation.

Meet Clay and Chalet Gustafson of Bee Branch! Clay is one of three finalists for the YF&R Achievement Award. The Gustafson’s have six broiler houses alongside a cow-calf and custom stocker calf operation. Clay also owns a custom litter and spreading business, while growing hay for their operation and Chalet works off the farm as a nurse. The Gustafsons have one daughter who loves the farm and are expecting another farm hand this fall. Watch to learn more about their farm and growing family!

The Eubanks family started growing tomatoes in 1963 at Possum Valley near Wilmar, Ark. Declining profit and rising stress recently led them to crop diversification and contemplating the future. Watch L&D Produce operate and hear its dilemma.

Twenty-two teachers from 15 schools are prepping to teach agriculture this fall in Arkansas elementaries. A workshop this week led by Utah State Education Specialist Lynn Wallin includes training and a detailed curriculum for the pilot program provided by Arkansas Farm Bureau in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Services and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.

Read the latest issue of the Farm Bureau Press.

On this episode of the Arkansas AgCast, we break down the USDA’s new National Farm Security Action Plan, which is an effort to limit foreign ownership of U.S. farmland and protect national food security. We also highlight major agriculture wins in the newly signed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” including stronger safety nets for farmers, expanded crop insurance and the creation of a first-ever poultry insurance pilot program. Plus, the latest on USDA’s response to the growing New World screwworm threat along the southern border.