In a unique twist of fate, former Arkansas State University roommates Austin Kennon and Chris Damron earned the top two Young Farmers and Ranchers awards. The two were honored Monday at Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 69th Officers & Leaders Conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

The Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 69th annual Officers and Leaders Conference is set for July 24-25 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. South Dakota ranchers Troy and Stacy Hadrick will close the convention and reinforce the conference theme, “Innovation Generation.”

The eight district winners in the 70th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program have been selected, representing the diversity of Arkansas agriculture, the state’s largest industry.

Read the statement from Randy Veach, president of Arkansas Farm Bureau. Veach, a third-generation farmer from Manila, traveled to Cuba in September 2015 to meet with officials about increasing agricultural trade with Arkansas.

Nursing and pharmacy students are encouraged to apply now for a $1,000 scholarship offered through the Nicky Hargrove Memorial scholarship fund. Learn more and find out how to apply.

Luke Baker of Siloam Springs (Benton Co.) and Zarah Dean of Ozark (Franklin Co.) were winners at the 60th annual Arkansas Dairy Foods Contest held May 31 at the state fairgrounds in Little Rock.

Two college students have joined Arkansas Farm Bureau for the summer as interns.

The late April rains that inundated much of Arkansas have hit Arkansas agriculture at one of the worst possible times, causing losses for both the row-crop and livestock sectors.

Brandy Jones, a fifth-grade social studies and writing teacher at Woods Elementary in Fort Smith, is Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 2017 Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher. Jones was recognized during a special ceremony at the school April 28.

County winners for the 70th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program have been selected. Learn more and see the list of county winners from across the state.