The finalists in Arkansas Farm Bureau’s annual Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award and Excellence in Agriculture Award have been announced. The awards honor young farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18-35 for the general excellence of their operations, their hard work and innovation.
Angela Jones, a tenth-grade English teacher at Greenwood High School in Sebastian County, is Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 2018 Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher. Jones received the award during a recent surprise announcement at the school.
Wesley Gwaltney of Batesville (Independence County), a rising senior majoring in creative media production at Arkansas State University, is the 2018 recipient of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Marvin Vines Memorial Scholarship.
Last week, more than 700 farmers, ranchers, educators, state leaders and friends of Arkansas agriculture attended the 31st annual Agriculture Hall of Fame induction luncheon in Little Rock, marking the largest crowd ever to attend the event. Learn more about each of this year's distinguished inductees.
The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame will induct six individuals whose leadership and service have brought distinction to the state’s largest business sector. The newest class includes weed scientist Dr. Ford Baldwin of Austin (Lonoke County), attorney Bill Bridgforth of Pine Bluff, retired agriculture educator Dr. Lew Brinkley of Jonesboro, renowned fruit breeder Dr. John Clark of Fayetteville, timber executive Peggy Clark of Arkadelphia and the late Adam McClung of Vilonia, who served eight years as executive vice president of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association.
Luke and Deedee Alston of Polk County, owners of Holly Springs Homestead near Mena, were named the 2017 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. After receiving the award, they took time to share what the honor means to them and how they will use this platform to educate visitors to the homestead about why agriculture is so important to Arkansas.
Luke and Deedee Alston of Mena (Polk County) are the 2017 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The honor was announced today at the annual luncheon honoring the county and district Farm Families of the Year. The Alstons have two sons, Ryan and Drey.
Farmers, ranchers and agricultural leaders from across the state came together for Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 83rd annual convention in Little Rock on Wednesday, Nov. 29 - Friday, Dec. 1. See videos, photos, news and more from the convention.
Arkansas Farm Bureau recognized Brandy Jones as the state’s Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher Award. McCrory High School teacher Robert Hurford earned the Outstanding Ag Educator Award. Bradley High School’s Ryan Blackwell earned the Outstanding New Ag Educator Award, and Mountain Home High School grabbed the top spot as the Outstanding Ag Education Program.
Hannah Gray of Paragould, an ag teacher at Green County Tech won the Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet at the Arkansas Farm Bureau 83rd Annual Convention, Nov. 30 in Little Rock. The subject matter discussed among the four finalists was international agricultural trade.
