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.
In this episode, ArFB’s Jared Garrett breaks down the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner. We tell you what’s more expensive, which ingredients have dropped in price and how much you should expect to pay per person to feed your crew. Get it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee-Sanders continued the long-held tradition of pardoning two turkeys in the lead-up to Thanksgiving. She and Arkansas Department of Ag Secretary Wes Ward used the opportunity to speak about the importance of turkey production and agriculture in the state on Thursday.
Meet the Day family! Bradley and Allison are fourth-generation row crop farmers in Desha County. They farm around 10,000 acres of cotton, corn, soybeans, and rice and are partners in the Wincott Cotton Gin. Sustainability and efficiency are key to the continued success of the Day family’s farm. As Bradley steps into his father’s role, he’s working to keep the farm viable for his two kids.
Meet the Walker family! Larry and Be-Ann Walker began farming 53 years ago when they married with only $600, one horse and a saddle to their name. They now farm over 140 head of cattle, grow hay and corn that goes back into feed, raise horses, and show animals. Their three sons and grandchildren help on the farm in various ways, while maintaining off-farm careers. Their son Eric is also the driving force behind the impressive annual Arkansas Youth Expo. They have lived by the mantra that faith in God, family and hard work is the key to success.
Meet the Henderson family! Murry and Dee are first-generation row crop farmers producing cotton, rice, soybeans and recently corn. They also own and operate Lepanto Crop Service in West Ridge, which flies two aerial applicators, servicing over 40 farms. Their two kids are both pursuing careers in flying and nursing, but still find time to be involved on the farm.
Meet the Blankenship family! David and Jennifer have been farming in Mount Olive for 17 years, living a homestead lifestyle and producing all the food needed to sustain themselves. The Blankenships farm everything from beef cattle to kune kune pigs and run the Mount Olive Mercantile, where they sell farm-fresh products as well as providing RV campsites.
