Jarrod Yates has been named executive vice president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, whose board of directors chose him on Monday to lead the staff functions for the agricultural advocacy organization. He will report to ArFB’s board of directors.

Multiple storms over the past two weeks brought needed rain to Arkansas farms, but some included heavy winds and crop damaging hail. Some fear a total loss, especially in extreme Northeast Arkansas. Extension experts say only time will tell.

The 76th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has announced its eight district Farm Families, representing the wide variety of Arkansas agriculture, the state’s largest industry.

Read the latest issue of the Farm Bureau Press.

On this week's AgCast episode, we talk about the new EPA biotech rule for gene-edited plants, an update on Arkansas's planting progress and crop conditions, the weather effect of El Niño and a Mississippi River mega-study. You don't want to miss this episode. Listen now!

Read the latest Market Report.

Arkansas Farm Bureau (ArFB) has named three college students for summer internships across the organization. The purpose of the internship program is to expand professional skills while gaining experience with the advocacy work done by the organization on behalf of the state’s rural communities and agriculture industry.

Hear from Ronnie Ritter to learn more about the Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry program and the support they receive from the Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation.

Elderberry is one of the more commonly used medicinal plants in the world, often taken as a supplement to treat cold and flu symptoms. Matt Gal, who works at the UA Fruit Research Station in Clarksville, and his wife, Summer, are starting an elderberry farm in Oark (30 minutes north of Clarksville). They plan to market syrup, teas and salves made with elderberries and other herbs grown on their farm. Arkansas Farm Bureau members have a longstanding policy to support new horticultural growers like the Gal family and we're excited to see this new development in our industry.

With the help of Farm Bureau, Economics Arkansas is able to give teachers across the state an opportunity to see the world of agriculture. Taking back what they learn, these teachers are able to teach their students how agriculture impacts the world around them.