STEVE EDDINGTON photos
tions to Ronald McDonald Houses and other charities. The Our Food Link planning toolkit and publicity tools may be downloaded at http:// bit.ly/1j1jH5H. New Women’s Committee officer Peggy Miller of Lake Village has been named vice chairwoman of the Arkansas Farm Bureau State Women’s Committee. Miller has served on the committee since January 2013 and is filling the post that was vacated when Sherry Felts of Joiner was elected to the ArFB Miller board of directors in December. Miller also serves as chairwoman of the Chicot County Farm Bureau Women’s, Ag in the Classroom and Rural Health & Safety committees. Miller, along with her husband Bobby and son Keith, grows rice, soybeans, wheat and corn on their farm in Lake Village.
At a special dinner Feb. 25 at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock, Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach presented plaques of appreciation to two outgoing state board members, thanking them for their many years of service to Arkansas agriculture. Richard Armstrong of Ozark (left photo, with his wife Judith) served on ArFB’s state board from 2005 through 2013. Mike Sullivan of Burdette (right photo, with his wife Cynthia) was a state board member from 2009 through 2013.
her busy freshman year of college. With this win, McNeel earned a chance to represent Arkansas at the national discussion meet in Nashville in February 2015. She is a freshman Agriculture Business major and Honors College student at Southern Arkansas University. “It was nerve-wracking because it was my first time to compete at state, but I was glad to be able to win and have the opportunity to go to nationals,” said McNeel. The Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet competition simulates a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from
In Arkansas
KEITH SUTTON photo
KEITH SUTTON photo
McNeel wins discussion meet Arkansas FFA President Taylor McNeel recently won the state title at the ArFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet, adding another accomplishment to
ArFB’s State Women’s Committee members posed for a photo during the Women’s Conference in Little Rock March 7. Attending were (l to r) Roberta Golmon, Norfork; Donna Bemis, Little Rock; Robin Williams, Forrest City; Sue Billiot, Smithville; Sara Loe, Hot Springs; Angela Jones, Mansfield; Dana Stewart, Judsonia; and chairwoman Janice Marsh, McCrory.
Jason Knapp, Diamond Chef Award Winner and executive chef at Little Rock’s Green Leaf Grill, presented three cooking demonstrations during ArFB’s State Women’s Conference in Little Rock March 8. Knapp prepared Steak au Poivre with Brandy Cream Sauce, a delicious dish each of the conference attendees got to sample during his workshop.
each participant. The judges look for the competitor who offers constructive criticism, cooperation and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions. Garden of the Year contest Entries are being accepted for the inaugural Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year contest sponsored by the Arkansas Agriculture Department and Farm Credit. Applicants can be any Arkansas school, grades pre-K through 12, that had a school garden open during the 2013-14 school year and can provide documentation through photos or video of its uses and existence. Entries will be judged by a committee. Farm Credit is providing funding for the following award categories: Best Nutrition Education Based Garden, $500; Best Community Collaboration Award, $500; Best Environmental Education Focused Garden, $500; and Overall Winning Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Award, $1,500. “We are pleased to partner with Farm Credit to recognize the school garden programs that are crucial for educating students about the benefits of fresh produce,” said Arkansas agriculture secretary Butch Calhoun. “The life skills and nutrition lessons learned from the hands-on experience of school garden programs will serve the students well the rest of their lives. The Arkansas Agriculture Department looks forward to receiving applications from schools across the state.”