Arkansas Farm Bureau will host the Arkansas Connectivity Summit on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The event will focus on developing plans to improve high-speed, broadband connectivity and cellular connectivity in Arkansas and will feature government and community leaders, industry stakeholders and others, including keynote speaker, Commissioner Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Eight district Farm Families have been named in the 74th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program, representing the diversity of Arkansas agriculture, the state’s largest industry.

The finalists in Arkansas Farm Bureau’s annual Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) 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.

Matt King has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Administration and Advocacy at Arkansas Farm Bureau, according to Warren Carter, ArFB’s executive vice president. In his new role, King will drive internal and external alignment that improve the organization’s advocacy efforts that support agriculture and rural Arkansas. He will assist Carter with the organization’s administrative functions and strategic priorities.

Arkansas Farm Bureau (ArFB) has promoted Bryan Pistole to creative director. Pistole has more than 30 years of experience in graphic design, video production, web services and event management. He has been at ArFB for more than six years and previously served as assistant director of public relations, visual communications.

Madison Felts and Josey Webb have been hired as summer interns for Arkansas Farm Bureau.

Justin Reynolds has been promoted to vice president of the Organization and Member Programs (OMP) department at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation. In his new role, Reynolds will be responsible for coordinating and implementing all Farm Bureau programs and activities related directly to county Farm Bureaus throughout Arkansas. Jeremy Wesson has been promoted to director of OMP, and he will be responsible for the effective coordination of all work with county Farm Bureaus to launch and improve programs offered to members.

Arkansas Farm Bureau announced that Jason Brown, APR, and Steve Powell have joined its public relations team, bringing together more than 40 years of professional communications experience.

Chuck Tucker, Senior Vice President of Organization and Administration with the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, is retiring May 31 following a distinguished 36-year career with the organization.

County winners for the 74th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program have been selected. The county winners will be visited by a set of judges to determine eight district winners, who will be announced June 15. The state winner will be announced Dec. 9 at the Farm Family of the Year luncheon in North Little Rock.