News & Media

News & Media

Agriculture is our state's largest industry, but what do you really know about farming and ranching?

You might recall the smiling farmers in overalls from books you read as a child or seeing cowboys at the rodeo. Maybe you have friends or family who farm, or perhaps all you know about agriculture comes from commodity reports on the evening news.

Whatever the case may be, part of the Arkansas Farm Bureau mission is to tell the "farming story." That means sharing the real stories of Arkansas farmers and ranchers, and highlighting the issues and trends that affect their livelihoods. We invite you to learn more by watching our videos, listening to our podcasts, reading our blog posts or following us in social media. If you have questions or need information from our staff of experts, we encourage you to contact us.

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Front Porch | Issue 137

Front Porch | Issue 137

Perfect Storm in the Delta, Young Farmers and Ranchers Award Winners, Day in the Life of a Rural Sheriff's Deputy
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The Smiths of Howard County Named Arkansas Farm Family of the Year

The Smiths of Howard County Named Arkansas Farm Family of the Year

Jared and Cathren Smith of Dierks were named today as the 2025 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has helped to recognize outstanding farm families throughout the state since 1947. The Smiths have been farming in Howard County for 17 years.
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Farmer Bridge Payment Program Details, USDA Changes to Safety Net and Much More

This week’s Arkansas AgCast covers several stories affecting farmers across the state. We start with Tyson Foods’ decision to halt poultry contracts in the Illinois River watershed unless Oklahoma shifts its legal approach in a long-running lawsuit. We also break down USDA’s new $12 billion bridge payment package to help producers manage tight margins heading into 2026, plus its $700 million investment in regenerative agriculture through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. Finally, we highlight upcoming changes to crop insurance meant to streamline requirements and expand support for beginning farmers.
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Arkansas Tech University Dedicates New Ag Building

Arkansas Tech University dedicated its new agriculture building, funded through community support, including a $75,000 donation from the Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation. The 2,000-square-foot facility features welding booths, virtual reality welding stations and small machine workstations to prepare students for ag careers beyond college.
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2025 Southwest FFOY | Lockeby Family of Ashdown

Shane and Kim Lockeby of Ashdown are the Southwest District Farm Family of the Year. They operate Lockeby Farms with their three sons. It’s a laying-hen operation producing 12.8 million hatching eggs a year. They also plan to grow their 600-tree pecan orchard they’ve started.
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2025 Northwest FFOY | Spears Family of Wedington

Dawna and Randy Spears of Wedington are the Northwest District Farm Family of the Year. They left the dairy industry in the early 2000s, pivoting to Spears Cattle Co., raising commercial cattle and running a custom-feeding operation, focusing on nutrition and weight gain.
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Arkansas Agcast Subscribe
Farmer Bridge Payment Program Details, USDA Changes to Safety Net and Much More

Farmer Bridge Payment Program Details, USDA Changes to Safety Net and Much More

<p>This week’s Arkansas AgCast covers several stories affecting farmers across the state. We start with Tyson Foods’ decision to halt poultry contracts in the Illinois River watershed unless Oklahoma shifts its legal approach in a long-running lawsuit. We also break down USDA’s new $12 billion bridge payment package to help producers manage tight margins heading into 2026, plus its $700 million investment in regenerative agriculture through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. Finally, we highlight upcoming changes to crop insurance meant to streamline requirements and expand support for beginning farmers.</p>
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Letter to U.S. Congressional Delegation from Agriculture Groups

As representatives of farmers, livestock and specialty crop producers, lenders, and other essential stakeholders in agricultural communities across the United States, we write to express our strong support for advancing a meaningful farm bill in 2024 that addresses worsening conditions in farm country. Given the enormous challenges facing production agriculture – including a farm economy that has taken a downward spiral – it is imperative Congress act before year’s end to strengthen farm policy for America’s farmers. It is critical that Congress pass a new farm bill that strengthens the safety net as many producers are facing multiple years of not being profitable and this is causing their overall financial situation to deteriorate.

Letter to Arkansas Congressional Delegation from Arkansas Agriculture

The undersigned organizations, representing the interests and well-being of Arkansas agriculture, write to express our deep concern regarding the escalating economic pressures that are threatening the viability of our agricultural communities.

2022 Ballot Issues | ArFB Positions

Details on Arkansas Farm Bureau's positions on various issues on the 2022 ballot.

Arkansas Livestock Drought Impact Explainer

The roughly two-month dry period during the summer of 2022 has been the worst drought in 10 years. While it has had an impact on all Arkansans, the drought has hit livestock and hay producers across the state especially hard. Livestock such as cattle, horses, sheep, goats and llamas rely on forages (grass, hay and other plants) for most or, in some cases, all of their diet, and this year’s drought has caused significant loss of forage availability statewide.

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