It was a busy week for the Arkansas Farm Bureau YF&R Committee in D.C. From laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, to visiting our Arkansas congressional delegation on the hill. Several issues important for our Arkansas farmers and ranchers were brought to D.C., including the continuing push for a farm bill and economic relief action. Hear from some of the committee members on what the experience was like this week.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee-Sanders continued the long-held tradition of pardoning two turkeys in the lead-up to Thanksgiving. She and Arkansas Department of Ag Secretary Wes Ward used the opportunity to speak about the importance of turkey production and agriculture in the state on Thursday.
Meet the Day family! Bradley and Allison are fourth-generation row crop farmers in Desha County. They farm around 10,000 acres of cotton, corn, soybeans, and rice and are partners in the Wincott Cotton Gin. Sustainability and efficiency are key to the continued success of the Day family’s farm. As Bradley steps into his father’s role, he’s working to keep the farm viable for his two kids.
Meet the Walker family! Larry and Be-Ann Walker began farming 53 years ago when they married with only $600, one horse and a saddle to their name. They now farm over 140 head of cattle, grow hay and corn that goes back into feed, raise horses, and show animals. Their three sons and grandchildren help on the farm in various ways, while maintaining off-farm careers. Their son Eric is also the driving force behind the impressive annual Arkansas Youth Expo. They have lived by the mantra that faith in God, family and hard work is the key to success.
Meet the Henderson family! Murray and Dee are first-generation row crop farmers producing cotton, rice, soybeans and recently corn. They also own and operate Lepanto Crop Service in West Ridge, which flies two aerial applicators, servicing over 40 farms. Their two kids are both pursuing careers in flying and nursing, but still find time to be involved on the farm.
Meet the Blankenship family! David and Jennifer have been farming in Mount Olive for 17 years, living a homestead lifestyle and producing all the food needed to sustain themselves. The Blankenships farm everything from beef cattle to kune kune pigs and run the Mount Olive Mercantile, where they sell farm-fresh products as well as providing RV campsites.
Georgia, the nation’s top pecan-producing state, buys nuts from Southwest Arkansas farmers to make tastier treats. Watch how Davis Pecans in Ashdown and York Pecan in Foreman help harvest, clean and process what bakers, confectioners and creameries covet.
In this episode, we share details on the upcoming 90th Annual Arkansas Farm Bureau Convention. How much ag production costs have risen in the last five years, plus the latest WASDE data, an update on how changes to the Milk Marketing Order may benefit dairy farmers and more. Get it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.
Meet the Stewart family! Josh and Dana Stewart are sixth-generation farmers in White County. They operate a cow/calf herd, and their primary business model is selling bulls to commercial customers. They also run a show goat operation, providing students with project animals to show across the nation. They also have two children who are active on the farm.
The Stewarts are one of eight district winners to be recognized with the Farm Family of the Year program. Over the next several weeks, we will be posting profiles of all eight families leading up to the announcement of the 2024 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year.
Rep. Rick Crawford hosted a group of farmers Monday afternoon to talk about the proposed Farm Act, explaining the legislative framework of the program and the challenges it faces to become law. Arkansas Farm Bureau President Dan Wright also spoke to the group of more than 100, highlighting the collaboration with the American Farm Bureau to advance this legislation in the absence of a farm bill.
