Recap of ArFB's 83rd Convention and news & photos of the 2017 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Luncheon!

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.

Magen Allen of Bismarck is a member of the Arkansas Farm Bureau State Women’s Committee and participated in the 2017 American Farm Bureau Women's Communication Boot Camp. She took time during the ArFB annual convention to discuss her experience and why it’s important for women to become better advocates for agriculture.

Leading Across Generations was the theme of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 83rd annual convention. Keynote speaker Haydn Shaw, an expert on generational differences, discussed how farming and ranching families can overcome the challenges that arise when multiple generations work together. Watch to hear more from Shaw and Arkansas farmers.

Randy Veach and Rich Hillman will continue as president and vice president, respectively, of Arkansas Farm Bureau following their re-election Friday. Delegates also elected seven other board members and filled a vacant board seat during the final day of the organization’s 83rd annual convention at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

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.

White County is the state’s top county Farm Bureau organization for 2017. Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach and Vice President Rich Hillman presented the President’s Award Nov. 30 to county president Michael Oxner at the organization’s 83rd annual convention at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

The Women’s Committee from Washington County has won its 10th consecutive Outstanding County Women’s Program award. The group was recognized Nov. 30, during Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 83rd Annual Conference at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.