Dustin raises beef at his Cowbell Farm in Newton County. He's the Young Farmers & Ranchers state chairman. He switched from a traditional sale barn, cow-calf operation to a custom beef operation that draws local customers to his Facebook page. He discussed his new approach and support for reestablishing a state meat inspection program to encourage the establishment of more meat processing facilities that cater to custom meat producers.
Kevin and Rebekah Hicks own Hicks Family Farms between Lonoke and Cabot. Their annual fall Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze opened October 3. But, because of Covid-19 they are only open on weekends and visitors must follow health department safety protocols. The Hicks have been welcoming families to their farm for the past 10 years, many of them repeat visitors. Though the experience will be different this year, they did not want the pandemic to prevent them from sharing this family-friendly experience with their neighbors and the public.
Arkansas Farm Bureau has hired Jenny Higgs as digital production specialist. Higgs will work with the public relations team to produce videos, podcasts, graphics and social media content that highlights the importance of Arkansas agriculture.
Robert Stobaugh farms rice, soybeans, wheat and corn with his brother Barry and nephew Bart on 6,000 acres in Conway County. We caught up to him as they were harvesting their first crop of row rice and asked him to share some thoughts on this year's harvest.
This week, we hear from Brittany Carwell of B&D Genetics in Cross County about the business’s major new move into the European market. We also get an update on the 2020 pecan crop from Chas Davis of Davis Pecan in Little River County and we spend a morning Hicks Family Farms near Cabot, as they work to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines in preparing their annual pumpkin patch and corn maze for visitors.
Chad Russell has been farming near Marianna since the mid-90s and grows cotton, corn and soybeans. Last year he joined other local farmers and added peanuts to his cotton rotation. For the third year in a row, persistent rainfall is slowing harvest, but as Russell says they will get the crops out and he expects good yields.
Producers of beef cattle, swine, sheep and dairy cattle can now apply for a second wave of assistance through the USDA's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Brandy Carroll, ArFB's Director of Commodity Activities & Market Information joined us to share important information about this program.
John "Bubba" Sink farms rice, soybeans, corn and wheat in Jackson County. He took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to tell us how the fall harvest is going so far.
This week, we hear from a cattle producer and mother about youth livestock events during this unusual year, and Arkansas Farm Bureau Director of Policy Development and Legislative Research Jessica Clowser Burkham fills us in on CFAP 2, the recently announced second round of Coronavirus aid for U.S. farmers. We also have a special interview with Jason Brewer of Ritter Farms.
