Arkansas Farm Bureau Selects Leaders, Sets Policy Wright, Freeze and Dabbs re-elected as president, vice-president and secretary/treasurer

The Arkansas Grown and Arkansas Made farmers market is back at the annual convention. This year 35-plus vendors setup to sell local products. They’re open to the public and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. through December 5.

We packed the studio up and headed to Hot Springs for this episode. Catch up with us on the trade show floor as we discuss all the action from the 90th Annual State Convention. We also have a great discussion with Field of Dreams star Dwier Brown before his keynote address at the event. Get it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.

The Women’s Leadership Committee from Lee County Farm Bureau is the Outstanding County Women’s Program award winner for 2024. The group was recognized Dec. 5 during Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 90th Annual Conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Committee chair Kerry Stiles accepted the award for the second consecutive year.

Lindsey Holtzclaw, of Columbia County, won the Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet Dec. 5 at the Arkansas Farm Bureau 90th Annual Convention in Hot Springs. Holtzclaw advances to compete in January at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in San Antonio.

Hempstead County is the state’s top county Farm Bureau organization for 2024. Arkansas Farm Bureau President Dan Wright and Vice President Mike Freeze presented the organization’s President’s Award to Hempstead County Farm Bureau President Mark Lloyd on Dec. 5 at the 90th Annual Arkansas Farm Bureau Convention at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Arkansas Farm Bureau recognized Chris Bacchus of Lamar High School in Johnson County as its Outstanding Ag Educator. Alma High School’s Kisia Holland earned the Outstanding New Ag Educator Award, and Prairie Grove High School grabbed the top spot as the Outstanding Ag Education Program. All were recognized Dec. 4 at Farm Bureau’s 90th Annual Convention at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Heath Donner of Manila is the 2024 recipient of the Stanley E. Reed Leadership Award from the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation. Donner accepted the award Dec. 4 during the organization’s 90th annual conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Meet the Bobo family! Curtis and Melissa are cattle and poultry farmers in Hempstead County. Curtis is also the pastor at the Baptist church in Hope where he grew up. The Bobos have eight children, ranging in age from 3 to 18, who all find ways to contribute on the farm.

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.