LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Farm Bureau will host a Farm Policy Summit, where it will bring its farmers and ranchers along with national farm policy leaders – in addition to each member of the state’s Congressional delegation – to Little Rock to discuss the mounting challenges facing the agriculture economy.

The Arkansas Farm Policy Summit will be held March 29-30 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. Portions of the program will be streamed live at www.arfb.com/live. Members of the media are invited to attend the Summit, though others in attendance are restricted by invitation.

Farm Bureau traditionally takes its county leaders to Washington, D.C. every two years to advocate on critical agricultural issues and meet with federal regulatory agencies. With the tight Congressional calendar during this election year, Farm Bureau instead decided to bring the lawmakers and regulators to Arkansas.

“This will be a great gathering of those who control a good bit of the national and international discussion about agriculture,” said Randy Veach, president of Arkansas Farm Bureau. “We want to be sure our farmers and ranchers understand, first hand, the issues that are being debated in Washington, D.C.

“It is no stretch to say these are some of the toughest conditions for farmers and ranchers that we have seen in a number of years. Net farm income has been down for three years in a row, with declining commodity prices and intensified regulatory burdens.
“We want to make the point to these federal officials that farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our economy in Arkansas, and really one of the strengths of our country. We need their help in keeping agriculture strong and viable.”

In addition to U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, the state’s four members of the U.S. House of Representatives – Rep. Rick Crawford, Steve Womack, French Hill and Bruce Westerman – will meet with the Farm Bureau leaders. 

Recently elected American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall will also speak to the group, as well as U.S. Trade Ambassador Darci Vetter, who has led agricultural negotiations during the Trans Pacific Partnership discussions. Additionally, officials from U.S. Fish & Wildlife, the Environmental Protection Agency and USDA’s Risk Management Agency will also meet with the Farm Bureau. Bloomberg News agriculture reporter Alan Bjerga will speak to the group, as will Talk Business & Politics publisher Roby Brock, who will host a political discussion along Bill Vickery and Jessica Sabin. 

“2016 is a critical year for our farmers and ranchers, particularly those who have depleted working capital over the past two years,” said Veach. “We have producers who have chosen to leave the farm, and others who have had to scale back their operation. The impacts of a struggling farm economy are felt both out in the country in town as well. Really, it has an impact that ripples throughout our state.”

USDA forecasts farm income will fall by 3 percent this year. Bankers report they are putting more money into short-term operating loans for farmers and ranchers and that repayment rates are softening. Loan delinquency rates are low but banks are toughening credit standards. The combination of elements has created an undercurrent of concern about farm finances in coming months.

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of more than 190,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.