arkansas agriculture - fall 2012

Making it work on the farmM ki g it k th ff

Top Young

FarmersRanchers&

Visit with 4-H president

Good roads important to ag

FALL2012

arfb.com

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Farm Bureau Perspective by Elizabeth Walker 3Faces of Agriculture — Jason Brownby Tara Johnson 22

Top Young Farmers & RanchersBy Gregg Patterson 4

Policy Update by Michelle Kitchens 26

Inside...

Rural Refl ections Photo 32

Spotlight on Youth — Making the good betterby Tara Johnson 30

On the cover – Our young farmers and ranchers, like dairyman Scott Davis on this issue’s cover, are making farming work through leadership development, innovation, a strong work ethic and a can-do spirit.

Photo by Keith Sutton

F E A T U R E S

C O L U M N S

VOLUME 9ISSUE 4

FALL2012

Executive Editor: Steve EddingtonEditor: Gregg PattersonContributing Writers: Ken Moore, Keith Sutton, Chris WilsonResearch Assistant: Brenda Gregory


Arkansas Agricultureis an offi cial publication of

Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation.

Arkansas Agricultureis distributed to almost 32,000 farming and ranching households in Arkansas.

SUBSCRIPTIONS:Included in membership dues.

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU OFFICERS: President

Randy VeachManila

Vice PresidentRich Hillman

CarlisleSecretary/Treasurer

Tom Jones Pottsville

Executive Vice PresidentEwell Welch

Little Rock

DIRECTORS:Richard Armstrong, Ozark

Troy Buck, Alpine Jon Carroll, Moro

Joe Christian, JonesboroTerry Dabbs, StuttgartMike Freeze, England

Bruce Jackson, LockesburgTom Jones, Pottsville

Johnny Loftin, El DoradoGene Pharr, LincolnRusty Smith, Des ArcAllen Stewart, Mena

Mike Sullivan, BurdetteLeo Sutterfi eld, Mountain View

EX OFFICIOSue Billiot, Smithville

Janice Marsh, McCroryKirk Meins, Stuttgart

Brian Walker, Horatio

Arkansas Agricultureis published quarterly by the

Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, 10720 Kanis Road, Little Rock, AR 72211.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

Arkansas Agriculture,P.O. Box 31, Little Rock, AR 72203.

Publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. All rights reserved.

Reproduction withoutpermission is prohibited.

The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation reserves the right to accept or reject

all advertising requests.

Send comments to:[email protected]

We chose to be farmers! Like many young farmers, we didn’t choose to farm because it was the

only way we could provide for our family. We chose farming, because it’s not a job, it’s a way of life.

Farming isn’t something people do until something better comes along. Farming is an unwavering

commitment to family, community and to the land.

My husband, Brian, and my involvement with Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R)

program help us keep a keen focus on being a successful farm family. A successful farmer requires

similar skills as an effective corporate CEO. Unlike a big-time CEO with layers of support staff

and hefty budgets, farm families manage and operate profi table, sustainable and environmentally

conscious farms with limited resources. Farm Bureau’s YF&R program is a layer of support that

provides training, leadership and networking opportunities for young farmers to operate, grow and

sustain successful farms.

Arkansas Farm Bureau’s YF&R program has something to benefi t anyone with an interest in

agriculture. Involvement in your county YF&R Committee is a great place to meet other young

farmers in your area and learn about the opportunities the program offers.

The annual YF&R conference is always a fun family event. The 2012 conference brought

200 farmers and 80 children together from across the state. Meeting other young farm families,

competing in Farm Bureau Olympics, attending agriculture education sessions and the kid activities

are just some of the conference highlights.

An exciting and competitive aspect of the YF&R program is participating in the Discussion Meet,

Excellence in Ag and the Achievement Award contests. These contests encourage participation in

Farm Bureau activities and recognize progressive young farm families. Brian and I won the 2010

Achievement Award and received a new truck! The prizes for the other contests are nice, too.

An excellent professional development opportunity is the Arkansas Farm Bureau President’s

Leadership Council. This intensive leadership training is an effective way to network with present

and future Farm Bureau leaders. This comprehensive leadership training has helped me develop skills

to positively impact my farm, my community and the future of agriculture.

Young Arkansas farmers are some of the most educated and passionate citizens in the state. The

YF&R program provides a platform for the concerns of young farmers, allowing them to be heard

in an intelligent and effective manner. The program also encourages young farmers to actively

participate in Farm Bureau policy development activities at the county, state and national level.

While serving on the state YF&R Committee, we traveled to Washington, D.C., where we met

agricultural policy makers, visited the USDA and learned about the national legislative process. We

gained understanding of how ideas that we develop at the grassroots level can make a real difference

in the lives of farmers nationwide. We also learned the importance of agriculture on an international

scale while visiting the Australian Embassy.

My family farms for reasons deeper than putting food on the table for our family. As farmers, we

grow food for tables all around the world, but there is still something deeper that draws families to

farming. Life is full of choices. Just like we chose to be farmers, we also choose to be active in our

county and state YF&R program.

It’s our way of life.

Editor’s note: Elizabeth Walker earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the

University of Arkansas, and husband Brian earned a bachelor of science in biology from the University of

Central Arkansas.

Farm Bureau Perspective

By Elizabeth Walker

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Edition 27

4 Arkansas Agriculture

Young MacDonald had a farm Poulty and cattle farmer Nick Steele.

Top Young

FarmersRanchers&Making it work on the farmBy Gregg PattersonPhotos by Keith Sutton

Living the country lifeNick and Karen Steele of Sulphur

Rock (Independence County) love living the country life with their 3-year-old son Harley. Nick, 33, grew up spending time on both of his grandfathers’ farms. Like many teenagers, he was active in 4-H, FFA and showed livestock. Karen was raised on a poultry and cattle farm. Both left the farm after high school, Nick attending the University of Arkansas, where he earned an agri-business degree and Karen going to Lyon College, where she earned a degree in economics. But Nick says “farming was just in my blood” and during his last year in Fayetteville, his grandmother and grandfather helped him purchase the original 220 acres where he now raises cattle and laying hens. That acreage is part of 720 acres the Steeles presently farm.

Nick’s ability to succeed on the farm is just one of the reasons he and Karen are one of the three fi nalist-families in Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R)Achievement Award competition.

This award honors young farm families across the state for their hard work, innovation, progress and the general excellence of their operations. The winner of the award will be announced Nov. 29 at the 78th

Arkansas Farm Bureau Convention in Hot Springs. The winning couple will take home a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Crew Cab 4x4 truck and receives an expenses-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Convention in January in Nashville, Tenn. to compete for the national award. The other fi nalists for the award include Scott and Cassie Davis of Prairie Grove, who run a dairy farm; and Dan and Mikki Hosman of Jonesboro, who grow rice, milo and soybeans.

“Our operation is centered on four poultry houses where we raise replacement hens,” Nick said. “The birds are placed in our houses the

day they are hatched. We raise them very slowly in a strictly controlled environment until they are 20 weeks old, at which point they are moved to a hen farm and begin to lay eggs.”

This year, Nick added a 40x60-foot poultry litter stacking shed to the farm, allowing him to store the waste created by the birds. “It allows us to dry stack the litter until it can be spread or sold,” Nick said. He sells about 200 tons of litter annually. Storing the litter in the shed prevents runoff when it rains, keeping the waste from getting into ditches and creeks.

The couple also runs 46 cows on their home farm and an additional 115 cows and four bulls on 450 acres they lease from a neighbor. Nick gained experience working for a cattle breeder, so he offers his services as a

custom breeder for local cattlemen. This includes artifi cial insemination/synchronization and blood testing for pregnancy and tracking genetic improvements.

Other farm income comes from Nick’s custom hay baling. “This operation helps to offset the capital costs of owning our own haying equipment,” he said.

Nick has been active as a board member for the county Farm Bureau and previously on the county YF&R Committee. He and Karen are also active as volunteers in their community.

Summing up life on the farm, Nick says of him and Karen, “We both love spending time on our farm hunting and fi shing and living the country life.”


Family Portrait #1 Karen, Nick and son, Harley Steele.


Comfortable cows Scott Davis erected several buildings to ensure animal comfort for his dairy cows and calves.

7

Got milk?Being a dairyman in Arkansas is

being part of a dying breed. However, that’s not evident if you’re visiting the dairy farm of Scott and Cassie Davis and their two daughters Lily, 7, and Ella, who is almost 1. The Davises run 223 dairy cows on 650 acres they farm (300 owned, 350 rented) in Prairie Grove (Washington County). They also have 13 beef cows.

Scott, 32, is a third-generation dairyman. After graduating from high school in 1998, he attended Northeast Iowa Community College, taking dairy related courses. He got his start in 2000 with just 25 head of Holsteins.

Scott says he and Cassie run a “hands-on” operation in every way. “We have two hired hands we oversee. Everything we expect them to do is also done by us at least on a weekly basis,” he said. This includes milking, feeding, and cleanup and general maintenance of equipment and the farm grounds.

The Davises also do most of their own animal care. “We’re able to medicate and do general animal care practices,” Scott said. However, a vet is consulted for pregnancy checks and for extreme cases of sickness or other rare circumstances.

The Davises also built two calf-raising greenhouses and concentrated on more intense cow/calf management to improve calf mortality rates. Each building can house 26 calves. Scott says the new buildings offer better climate control and shelter for better calf health. “We also went from a 6 percent mortality (for calves) to less than 1 percent by making sure colostrum was given within the fi rst hour of birth and by better vaccination of cows during pregnancy,” he said.

Other building projects included a heifer grow-out barn where the calves go after leaving the greenhouses

and are managed in a group setting. A 40x80-foot equipment barn was built to improve upkeep by keeping equipment out of the elements. Also, a dry stacking barn was built for easier manure handling and better waste management. And a metal roof was built over the hoof-trimming table, providing cow and farmer comfort during extreme weather conditions.

“We’ve been hands-on in the building of each of these structures,” Scott said. “So we also purchased a sawmill that allows us to supply our own lumber for farm use.”

Better watering facilities and forage testing to improve nutritional values of feed for the dairy cows are also improving the quality of the Davis’ herd. This is exactly what Scott and Cassie are striving to do. “The biggest change is focusing on quality over quantity,” Scott said. “Instead of

increasing milk cow herd numbers, we would like to focus on improving the quality of cow we milk, the quality of the commodities we feed and overall cow comfort in order to increase milk production.”

Scott says the biggest challenge going into the future is urban development in the rapidly growing northwest corner of the state. A lot of sub-dividing of one-time farm properties around his farm is driving up land values, making “it near impossible to add acreage . . .” to the farm.

Scott and Cassie are both very active at the county Farm Bureau level, as well as having served on the state YF&R Committee and Cassie being accepted into the ARFB’s President’s Leadership Council. The two also contribute time to community organizations.

Arkansas Agriculture

Family portrait #2 Scott and Cassie Davis with daughters, Ella and Lily (standing).

Hei

fer

Inte

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iona

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Level-headed Dan Hosman runs a land leveling business, as well as his farm and wants to controll all aspects of rice production — storage, milling, etc. — on the farm.

Keeping it on the levelDan Hosman didn’t have much

equipment when he planted his fi rst crop. “The fi rst tractors I bought to plant a crop in the spring, I had to trade in the fall for a combine to harvest it,” he said.

Good thing that combine didn’t get stuck.

Lesson learned, too, for the 35-year-old, fi fth-generation farmer who now farms 11,000 acres (4,500 owned) in the northeast part of the state.

“I have since been able to update equipment and improve my technology,

so I’m able to cover more acres with less people and machinery,” Hosman said. “I have decreased planting days by two-thirds and harvest time by half.”

He and wife Mikki live in Jonesboro with their four sons, Cade, 13; Rhett, 10; Hudson, 7; and 2-year-old Wyn. Farming wasn’t something Dan envisioned for himself. He saw himself going into “big business” and headed off to Vanderbilt University.

“I soon realized farming could be big business,” he said. After one year, he transferred from Vanderbilt to Arkansas State University to study ag business.

He eventually became a partner in his father’s farming operation and started a land-leveling business. Success in that business built the equity necessary to buy the farm. He’s been leveling land ever since.

“We primarily work on our own ground developing farms for maximum production and effi ciency,” Dan said. The business also builds landfi lls, football and baseball fi elds, as well as commercial and residential projects. “It’s the most important facet of our farm other than planting and harvesting a crop,” he said.


Family Portrait #3 Dan and Mikki Hosman with sons Wyn, Cade, Rhett, Hudson.

The Hosman’s grow primarily rice along with milo and soybeans. Dan’s business plan for the farm is to eventually own 10,000 acres of irrigated and leveled land and have the buildings necessary to handle all the milling and storage of the rice he grows.

“Early in my career, I knew I had to not only have irrigated land but to efficiently maintain that

irrigation. I am constantly looking to improve drainage and irrigation,” he said. “I plan to someday farm only what I own and have a true family farm my boys can someday have as part of their master plan.”

Dan and Mikki are active on numerous county and state Farm Bureau committees. Dan won the 2004 state YF&R Discussion Meet. They’re also active in several

community service projects. Seeking leadership roles is important to Dan. However, he says “the most important leadership role is one I already have, the responsibility of raising four boys. It falls on me to make sure they are led down the right path to become productive citizens and strong in their faith.They will be my legacy.”


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One thing will always be true about farming:

Conditions change.

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13Arkansas Agriculture 13Arkansas Agriculture

BETTER HIGHWAYS LEAD TO A BETTER ARKANSAS.

Vote FOR Issue #1On Tuesday, Nov. 6

Issue #1 will:Continue to build four-lane highways connecting all parts of the state.

Authorize a $1.3 billion construction bond issue for the four-lane work.

Provide new revenue to every city, town and county to fix city streets and improve county roads.

Turn back more than $700 million in local revenue for the city and county road programs.

Improve the Arkansas economy and support economic development.

Create local jobs through local city and county construction and maintenance road projects.

Support more than 40,000 jobs statewide.

Madison Murphy and Mark Lamberth, Co-Chairmen

Randy Zook, Treasurer

Issue #1 WILL NOT RAISE TAXES on groceries, medicine, gasoline or diesel.

Issue #1 will be funded by a temporary 1/2¢ sales tax limited to the 10-year bond issue.

When the bonds are paid off in 10 years or less, the tax will be abolished and cannot be renewed.

Learn more about what your city and county will receive from local turnback revenue.

Plus, view maps, a fact sheet and other information, at www.MoveArkansasForward.com .

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2012 YF&R Excellence in Agriculture ContestSponsored by John Deere Dealers of Ark.; John Deere, Inc.; Farm Credit; & FB Mutual Insurance Co. of Arkansas, Inc.

The Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence

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Celebrating 175 years of business, John

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2011 Winners: The Henleys of Lincoln County

Share Your Thoughts

www.facebook.com/ArkansasFarmBureau

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15Arkansas AgricultureArkansas Agriculture

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Hello, I’m Joe R. Wilson, president of Wilson Real Estate Auctioneers, Inc., Arkansas’ premier real estate auction company specializing in the fast, effective liquidation of all types of farms and large tracts of land. Since 1961 we have successfully sold hundreds of farms all over the state of Arkansas at auction. A well-marketed and professionally conducted auction creates the type of exposure and excitement that ensures your property will bring top dollar on auction day. Please, visit our website today @ www.wilsonauctioneers.com to fi nd out for yourself why the auction method of marketing real estate has quickly become a fi rst choice instead of a last resort for motivated sellers.

Joe R. Wilson

Arkansas’ Leading Real Estate Auctioneer• Upcoming Wilson Real Estate Auctioneers Inc. Auctions:

“Call Wilson Auctioneers today and let us put “SOLD” on your Farm or Acreage”

o 2900 +/- acres Cleburne Co., AR Dec. 2, 2010o 2640 +/- acres Brinkley, AR March 5, 2011o 106 +/- acres Tichnor, AR April 19, 2011o 458 +/- acres Reyno, AR May 6, 2011o 109 +/- acres Goshen, AR Aug. 5, 2011o 1221 +/- acres Colecord, OK Aug. 6, 2011o 378 +/- acres Concord, AR Aug. 17, 2011

o 248 +/- acres Holly Grove, AR Oct. 5, 2011o 412 +/- acres Cabot, AR March 1, 2012o 603 +/- acres Ozark, AR April 26, 2012o 344 +/- acres Adona, AR June 30, 2012o 180 +/- acres Waldron, AR Aug. 30, 2012o 524 +/- acres Charleston, AR Sept. 19, 2012o 502 +/- acres Pocahontas, AR Oct. 4, 2012

• Properties Sold at Auction in the Past 24 Months:

o 1000 +/- acres Belfonte, OK Oct. 19, 2012 o 196 +/- acres Waldron, AR Oct. 17, 2012

Arkansas Agriculture20

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1978 Load King Tri-Axle Power Folding Neck Lowboy, 40’x96’’, Pony Motor, New 20’ Oak Deck, Great Tires & Brakes, Nice! . $24,500

2000 & 1998 Kenworth T800 Cat 3406E & 12.7 Det, 450hp, Jake, 10 Spd, Air Ride, 3.90 Ratio, 22.5 Tires, 735K mi, 1 Owner, Well Maint, Body is Great, Motor is Dry, Nice! . . $22,500

(10) 98-2001 Freightliner FLD12064ST 12.7 Det, Pre-EGR, 1 Owner, Lease, Jake, 10 SpdAir Ride 174”WB, 22.5 Tires, 500-950K, White, Cold AC, Great Farm Trucks!$18,500-$23,500

2012 YF&R State Discussion Meet CompetitionWinner gets a Kubota tractor for one year

Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet

is a discussion contest related to issues that affect U.S. agriculture.

The contest will be Nov. 28 in Hot Springs. Call toll free 888-909-

5949, ext. 1247 or 1306 for further details. Deadline for entry is Nov.

15. The state Discussion Meet winner will win the use of any Kubota tractor for

one year.

Kubota continues to introduce new models of rugged, dependable, user-

friendly tractors in their 43–118 pto horse power M series tractors. The new

Grand X Cab boasts one of the largest

cabs in its class. Kubota has increased

both interior height and width to

provide a more spacious feel. Wide

opening doors provide easier access

while the unobstructed ceiling and

fully flat floor guarantee more head

and legroom for a higher level of

comfort even during long hours

behind the wheel. Go to www.kubota.com to learn more about the prod-

ucts, services and finance packages offered by Kubota. Discussion Meet questions

are available at www.arfb.com/get-involved/young_fr/discussion/default.aspx.

The YF&R State Discussion Meet winner also receives their choice of a Ka-

wasaki Mule or a Honda 500 4x4 ATV. This prize is sponsored by Southern Farm

Bureau Life Insurance Company.

2011 Winner: Kevin Smith (left) of Benton County

SPONSORED BY KUBOTA


Animal agriculture, row crops,

farmers, ranchers, food, fuel, fi ber and

so much more make up the agriculture

industry. Each person involved in

agriculture gives character to the

path between soil and salad, fi eld and

fi llet mignon. Jason Brown is a public

relations and digital media specialist

for The Communications Group. Often,

when thinking about agriculture, the

image of a fi eld or a farmer comes to

mind. An offi ce in downtown Little Rock

isn’t a setting typically associated with

the agriculture industry. Public relations,

communications and marketing are vital

to every industry, even agriculture. Jason

sat down to answer a few questions

about how he is involved with getting

food from the farm to your table.

1. How are you involved in agriculture?

“I work for The Communications

Group, a full-service marketing,

advertising and public relations fi rm in

downtown Little Rock. We work with

the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board

to provide communications support and

have worked with the board since 2010.

Personally, I provide public relations and

digital media support to the board.”

2. In your own words, what is agriculture?

“Agriculture is the backbone

of Arkansas. It’s the DNA of every

Arkansan. It’s our common thread.”

3. Why do you think agriculture is

important?

“Arkansas agriculture feeds people

and animals across the globe. Fifty

years ago, the average farmer fed 26

people. Today, the average farmer feeds

155 people – a 500 percent increase.”

4. What is the one thing you want

everyone to know about agriculture

and farming?

“Arkansas farming is a family

business that supports Arkansas

families. The farmers in Arkansas’ 75

counties bring an incredible economic

impact to each of our communities.

It’s our responsibility to support our

farmers.”

5. As someone in the public relations

industry, in your opinion, what’s the

most important thing farmers can do

to improve their relationships with

consumers?

“Farmers are the hidden heroes of

our economy. When things get tough,

farmers pull up their boots and head out

to the fi eld. We need to give consumers

more opportunities to sit down and talk

with farmers. These guys are scientists,

they’re businessmen, and they’re

historians of our culture and heritage.

Take the time to fi nd a farmer and take

him or her to lunch. I guarantee you’ll

learn something new.”

compiled by Tara Johnson

Jason Brown

John

Dav

id P

ittm

an

Faces of Agriculture

Jason Brown

��


Food, like nothing else, brings us together.

After all, everyone eats.

On Taste Arkansas, a food blog

by Arkansas Farm Bureau, this simple truth

is connecting those interested in

food production with the farmers and ranchers

who provide us with an abundance

of Arkansas agricultural products.

Food, like nothing else, brings us together. TASTE ARKANSAS.COM

ngs us t

l e brings us togFROM

FARMTOTABL

E


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE MEMBERS OFARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

FEDERATION

Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the members ofArkansas Farm Bureau Federation

will be held at 8 a.m., Friday,November 30, 2012, in Horner

Hall at the Hot Springs ConventionCenter, Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The purpose of this meeting is to elect a Board of Directors for the

ensuing year and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the

meeting.

Ewell R. WelchExecutive Vice President

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE MEMBERS OFFARM BUREAU MUTUAL

INSURANCE COMPANY OF ARKANSAS, INC.

Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the members of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc. will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, November

30, 2012, in Rooms A & B at the Embassy Suites, Hot Springs,

Arkansas.

The purpose of this meeting is to elect a Board of Directors for the

ensuing year and for the transaction of such other business as may

properly come before the meeting.

Tom JonesSecretary


Celebrating agriculture in �e land grant-univ�sity exp�ience! Join the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture in celebrating

150 years of the Morrill Act, 125 years of the Hatch Act and 50 years of the

McIntire-Stennis Act. Attend an event at a Division of Agriculture station near you!

October 12th:

Center, Monticello

October 13th:

Extension Center, Monticello

October 20th:

Clarksville

Center, Stuttgart

Station, Marianna

October 27th:

Extension Center, Hope


Arkansas Farm Bureau

is supporting Issue #1

in the Nov. 6 General

Election and urges all our

members to vote “yes”

for better roads. A “yes”

vote also means your

support for more money

for your county or city.

And a “yes” vote moves

Arkansas forward.

When experts

talk about creating

jobs and building the

economy, the discussion

always includes a good

workforce, education,

incentives and infrastructure. Infrastructure

is many things, but fi rst and foremost,

it’s roads. Products and people travel the

country on roads 24 hours a day, 365

days a year. A state with good roads is in

a better position to draw new businesses

and jobs to it.

Successfully passing Issue #1 will

provide funds for highways and rural

roads in every county and city in

Arkansas. The merits of Issue #1 speak for

themselves.

• Temporary 1/2 cent sales tax

(ends after 10 years) to fi nance a

$1.3 billion bond issue for the

continued construction of four-

lane highways connecting all

parts of the state.

• Issue #1 will not raise taxes on

groceries, medicine or gasoline.

• Provides money for every county

and city in Arkansas. More

than $700 million in new state

turnback revenue — $350 million

for counties and $350 million for

cities.

• Cities and counties will have

discretionary control over funds

received from Issue #1.

• Funds can only be used for roads

and highways.

• Issue #1 will create a permanent

$20 million a year State Aid Street

Fund for cities and towns to apply

for grants for local street and

bridge projects.

• Issue #1 will support 40,000 jobs

statewide and improve Arkansas’

economy, while making roads

safer for all, including school

buses, emergency vehicles and

drivers sharing the highways with

big trucks.

• Go to MoveArkansasForward.com

to see a complete list of four-lane

expansions.

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a long-time

champion for highway improvements and

maintaining good roads. It makes sense.

Agriculture products move several times

from farm to market. Naturally, farmers

care about highway infrastructure. Without

good roads, getting to market is a lot

harder. Arkansas Farm Bureau is also an

organization conservative about taxes. It

carefully weighs the benefi ts to the state

versus the cost to the pocketbook. Issue #1

is a tax Arkansas Farm Bureau can support.

Farm Bureau policy supports this

method of highway funding. “We

recommend the fi rst alternative for paying for

a highway program be a users’ tax, and the

second alternative be bonds in conjunction

with a sales tax, toll roads (where feasible), or

other measures. We request adequate funds for

rural road improvements.”

Arkansas Farm Bureau supports Issue

#1. Voters, including many Farm Bureau

members, will decide if this is the best

option for funding highway improvements.

When you cast your ballot on Nov. 6, vote

“yes” for Issue #1. Together we can move

Arkansas forward. ��

PolicyUpdate

by Michelle Kitchens

Picture this!

Dust off your cameras and take part in Rural Reflections, FB’s Front Porch photo contest.

F arm Bureau members now have the opportunity to spotlight their creativity, their perception and their flair for the dra-matic — or the comical or even the tragic — in Front Porch’s

third Rural Reflections Photo Contest.This competition offers amateur photographers the chance to ex-

plore the many activities, seasons, triumphs, disappointments and faces of agriculture, our state’s key industry. The photos that win this competition will capture the image and spirit of agriculture, and Farm Bureau, in Arkansas.

The contest includes two divisions, High School (ages 14–18) and Adult (19 and older). The winner of each receives $250. In ad-dition, one entry will receive a Grand Prize of $500. The winners and honorable mentions may have their works published, with credit, in Front Porch and Arkansas Agriculture magazines, on Farm Bureau’s website, arfb.com, and in other publications.

Arkansas Farm Bureau has the final decision on any and all questions or concerns regarding rules, judging, eligibility,

prizes awarded or anything else that may arise pertaining to the Rural Reflections Photo Contest.

RULES

arfb.com/get-involved/contests/

midnight Oct. 31, 2012

arfb.com

Arkansas Agriculture24

R E T I R E M E N T F O R F A R M E R SYes, farmers can retire. And by investing your assets in a Charitable Remainder Unitrust,

you can significantly reduce your tax burden, generously provide for your golden years

with regular income payments and leave a legacy that supports farming around the

world forever. To learn more visit www.farmersforheifer.org or call us at (888) 422-1161.

Arkansas Agriculture 25

®

FARM BUREAU MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS AND OFFERS. SAVE OVER $2,000!

DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTION

DRUG PROGRAMFor information on program

availability

call 1-866-292-7822

FARM BUREAU APPARELOfficial Arkansas Farm Bureau-identified

apparel and more now available.

www.FBApparel.comfor special requests and details contact

John Speck847-622-4892

[email protected]

Arkansas Farm Bureau

Purchase Program

Discounted Pricing not available in retail or dealer Sears stores.

Complete details from [email protected] or Ph. 931-553-2173.

Have your Farm Bureau membership number and discount code CUO88430 in your email, or ready if calling.

Hearing Healthcare

Benefits PlanStatewide network of Professional Audiologists and Specialists

-FREE Hearing tests and discounted hearing instruments for members

20-25% ACTUAL SAVINGS1-888-497-7447

www.clearvaluehearing.com

DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS;

CREDIT CARDS; AUTO AND MORTGAGE

LOANS

1-800-492-3276 www.farmbureaubank.com

Save up to 20% off at Participating Choice Hotels

Call 800-258-2847 Mention your State ID# 00223030

Online Booking – www.choicehotels.com enter your ID#

Farm Bureau Vehicle Purchase Program

Save time & money on your next new or used car or truck purchase.Program users have seen an average savings of $2,572 off MSRP.

Visit FBVerify.com/Drive to get started

Visit our website to learn more about savingswww.arfb.com

CHILD SAFETY SEATS for $25 each and

CHILD BOOSTER SEATS for $15 each

Contact County Farm Bureau

SAVE UP TO 40% OFF CARPET

20% Off Hard Surfaces

866-758-0801 Ext. 203North Little Rock, AR 72113

Contact: Bill Ross

10% discount on Grainger ProductsAccount Number 805-059-599

Free Shipping for Online Orderswww.grainger.com

$500EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS

FOR FARM BUREAU MEMBERS

on the purchase or lease of most new GM vehicles. Certain restrictions apply.

Visit www.fbverify.com/gm.

America’s #1 Choice for satellite Internet$0 Upfront

after $99 instant savingsHave your Farm Bureau membership number ready

and call 1-877-579-4555 .

®


Spotlight OnYouth

Meeting Meredith Williams is

something that isn’t hastily forgotten.

Driven, poised and professional are

adjectives that come to mind. She’s

a high school senior, was recently

crowned Miss Arkansas Rice and is the

Arkansas 4-H president.

Meredith was named Arkansas 4-H

president in July after the annual 4-H

State O-Rama, the largest gathering

of 4-H members in the state. The 4-H

program supports young people from

elementary school through high school

with various programs designed to

shape future leaders. 4-H is the nation’s

largest youth development organization

with more than 6 million youth

members.

From fashion to showing livestock,

4-H clubs give young people the

opportunity to excel in areas that

interest them. Meredith’s participation

record reads like that of an entire club

of members.

“I have participated in bicycle

safety, ornamental horticulture, bait

casting, fi sh identifi cation, illustrated

talk, technology showcase, turkey talk

and BBQ, broiler BBQ, fashion and

talent review, vocal competitions,

cooking competitions and several

others,” Williams said.

“The types of people involved in

4-H are so diverse. Through 4-H, people

can experience nearly everything. There

is something in 4-H for everyone.”

The 4-H motto

is Making the Good

Better. Helping kids

develop confidence and

leadership skills are the

main goals of 4-H. The

program teaches young

people how to think for

themselves, how to see

a need and address it.

“There is

something about

getting a group of

4-Her’s together.

Things get done,

and they get done well,” she said.

“When you walk into a room and give

a presentation, people know you are a

4-Her.”

Becoming the Arkansas 4-H

president is no easy task. Members start

by getting involved at the club level.

Then, through a tough application

process, they apply to become Teen

Stars, then Ambassadors and, fi nally,

state offi cers. Offi cers are selected by

a popular vote after nominees give a

speech at the annual 4-H State O-Rama.

“Being Arkansas’ 4-H president can

only happen once in your life and

is only here for a season,” Williams

said. “It is an amazing opportunity

that develops my leadership skills by

allowing me to reach out to groups of

people I would never have been able

to.”

Graduating from high school,

choosing a college, representing the

state’s rice industry as Miss Arkansas

Rice and fulfilling her duties as

Arkansas 4-H president keep Williams

busy. Yet, she carries herself with a

calm confidence beyond her years.

“I try to keep God first in

everything, because I know when my

focus is on Him all stress and worry

just simply melt away,” Williams said.

“A key component has been setting my

priorities straight and learning when

to stop everything and just go outside.

I just take everything day by day and

try to focus on the task at hand.”

For more information on Arkansas 4-H

visit kidsarus.org, or contact your local

county extension office.

Making the good better4-H develops leaders like Meredith Williams

Good, better, best Meredith Williams of Searcy is not only Miss Arkansas Rice she’s also the president of Arkansas 4-H and a leading advocate for agriculture.

by Tara Johnson

��

Keith

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Mol

lie D

ykes

Connect Arkansas is not trying to sell anything. We are a non-profit organization working to improve Internet

access throughout Arkansas. You can help us by showing current and future Internet service providers that there is

a demand for more Internet access in your county.

®

Farm Bureau Members

Please tell us about your

high-speed Internet options.

Please take 90 seconds to complete this survey.You can also complete it online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/_____________CountyBroadbandSurvey.

To complete online, please insert your county name in the link above. Your response is critical to helping us make the

case to Internet service providers and government officials for more Internet services in Arkansas. Please check one

of the following that is true for you:

o I currently subscribe to high-speed Internet and am happy with my service. My provider is __________________________.

o I would like to get high-speed Internet service at the address below, but to my knowledge, no service is available.

o I currently do not subscribe to high-speed Internet, because it’s too expensive. I would subscribe to high-speed Internet if

an affordable option were available in my area. I consider affordable to be: ____________ per month.

o I have high-speed Internet, but the service is slow and/or unreliable.

First Name: ___________________________ Last Name: __________________________

Street Address: (No PO Boxes please!) _______________________________________________

City & Zip Code: _______________________________ County: _____________________

Unless you check YES below, you will receive absolutely no mail or further contact.

o Yes. Feel free to share my address with Internet service providers if they would like to tell me about low-cost offers or new

high-speed service in my area!

o Yes. Share my email address with Connect Arkansas! My email address is: _______________________________________.

o This is my home address.

o This is my business address.

Return this survey by mail to: Connect Arkansas Study, Arkansas Farm Bureau, PO Box 31, Little Rock, AR 72203

Rural Rural Refl ections e ect o s

What big eyes you have Arkansas Farm Bureau member Hannah Cogburn captured this image of a praying mantis perched on her father’s tractor. “The funny thing was, that the eyes of the praying mantis looked just like the headlights of the tractor,” she wrote.


Arkansas Agriculture 29

Offices across Arkansas

800-444-3276

we do it all!When it comes to rural financing...

• farms • rural homes • land • equipment • livestock • vehicles • operating loans • agricultural businesses

farmcredit.com

Arkansas members shared $13.1 million in patronage last year.

Contact your local agent today!

Banking services provided by Farm Bureau Bank, FSB. Farm Bureau Bank, FSB is a service to member institution that provides banking services to Farm Bureau members. Services are not available in AL, IL, MI, MO, MS, OH or WY and may not be available in some counties or parishes. Farm Bureau, FB and the FB National Logo are registered service marks owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation and are used under license by FB BanCorp and its subsidiaries, including Farm Bureau Bank FSB. FB BanCorp is an independent entity and the AFBF does not own, is not owned by, and is not under common ownership with FB BanCorp or its affiliated entities.

Purchasing Power For Small Business Owners

Save more and manage your business finances ... effortlessly!Designed exclusively for small business owners and self-employed individuals, the Farm Bureau Bank Premier Business Visa® credit card is perfect for day-to-day or major business expenses. Its competitive rates and built-in features simplify money management. Plus, points earned may be redeemed for quality merchandise, travel, gift cards or cash rewards. Don’t waste your time and money with annual fees or high purchase rates. Apply today and discover why Farm Bureau members choose Premier Business Visa over other cards.

Farm Bureau Bank Premier Business Visa® SPECIAL OFFER LOW RATES FLEXIBLE REWARDS

PRESORTED STANDARDU.S. POSTAGE PAID

LITTLE ROCK, AR

PERMIT NO. 1884

arkansas agriculture - fall 2012

Documents

eligible farm bureau

chevrolet vehicles

chevrolet silverado

crain chevrolet

eligible chevrolet truck

business use

business choice details

loyal farm bureau members