Agricultural Council of ArkansasPromoting Agriculture Since 1939.

Agricultural Council of Arkansas

P.O. Box 250909

Little Rock, AR 72225

Phone: (501) 376-0455

Fax: (501) 376-0081

www.agcouncil.net

2015 Ag Council

75th AnniversaryBig Milestone for Ag

Council

Membership Development

Recruit, Recruit, Recruit

Sponsorship AdjustmentSeek Adoption

PAC EstablishedRaise Funds

Trust Re-establishment

IRS Recognition, Plan for Gifts

Adding New LeadersBuild Board

Expand Media Presence

Facebook & TwitterMore Earned Media &

Press

Plan for FutureDevelop New Goals

Seek Input from Members

90th General Assembly (1 of 3)

Session Highlights:• Middle Class Tax Cuts• Task Forces for Health Care, Highways, Education• Constitutional Amendments (Gov-Lt. Gov) (Econ. Dev. Fund)

(County Term Limits)• “Re-homing” & “Religious Freedom Restoration”• Lottery Relocation• Salaries of Public Officials

New Appointments:• Ag Secretary Wes Ward• Economic Development Commissioner Mike Preston• Highway Commissioner Alec Farmer

90th General Assembly (2 of 3)

Ag Legislation:• Grain Dealer Act• Cuba Trade Resolution• Catfish Label• Boards and Commissions• UI for Migrant Farm Labor• Scrap Metal Theft• Feral Hogs• Water Plan• Research and Promotion • UofA Division of Ag Funding

90th General Assembly (3 of 3)

Potential Special Session:• Super Project (Camden)• Presidential Primary and Other Related• Highway Funding• Gov’t Reform (consolidation of agencies)

Leadership in Future:• Senate Pro Tem Jonathan Dismang & Speaker Jeremy Gillam

to lead

Things to Watch:• Budgets (revenue collection)• Agency Consolidation Talks (Govt Reform)• Education Reform• Water Plan• Tax Policy Talks• Judicial Reform & Correction Reform Talks

2015 Arkansas

Water Plan• Implementing Plan (Regulations & Legislation)

H2O Initiative Launched • Shield Against Regulations• Saves Water, Time & Money• Multi-State, Multi-Group Partnership

Plant Board Plans for New Seed/Chemicals• Dow & Monsanto Approved – Need to Monitor

Grain Dealer Regulations• Monitor Implementation

Election Cycle Gear Up• Activate PAC

Grow Ag & Rural Economies• Work to Grow Arkansas Ag Related Businesses & Benefit Farmers

2015 Washington, D.C. (1 of 4)

2015 Washington, D.C. (2 of 4)

Farm Bill Implementation:• Marketing Loan Gains/Payment Limitations/Disaster Issues• Actively Engaged Definition• Conservation Compliance (June 1st) Form AD-1026

Environmental Issues:• EPA/USFWS Very Aggressive on Multiple Fronts • Urban Coalition Working Against U.S. Ag

– Enviro, Health, “Foodies,” Lawyers, NGOs, Retailers– General Public through Social Media

• Ag Groups Need to Find Allies and Get on Offense– Tell Positive Stories and Fact Check Inaccurate and Misleading Stories

(Issues include: GMOs, Pollinator Health, Ag Chemicals, Emissions, Water Quality, Endangered Species, Know Your Farmer, Organic, etc.)

2015 Washington, D.C. (3 of 4)

Trade:• TPA Approval Pending (TPP, TTIP)

Presidential Elections:• Will Soon Consume Oxygen

Funding Challenges:• No Regular Order with Budgets/Appropriations• Substantial Revenue Shortfalls Continue

Entitlement Reform:• Possible Through Reconciliation

Tax Policies:• Uncertainty is Challenge & Reform Could Harm

2015 Washington, D.C. (4 of 4)

Transportation:• Trust Fund Dilemma

Energy Bill:• Possible Advancement (bipartisan)

Immigration:• Bicameral Disagreement (Gridlock Continues)

Other Key Factors to WatchEconomic Situation:• Many Factors Impact Ag

Global Stability:• Economies• War or Terrorism

Questions?

“Every farmer cannot give their talent, but there is no excuse for not investing money to protect your interests. You never know just when help from an organization like this will be needed and needed badly. Experience has taught us that you can’t wait until war is declared to form and train an army.”

-Harvey R. AdamsExecutive V.P. of the Agricultural Council of Arkansas in 1943.