Arkansas Agriculture - Summer 2012 by Arkansas Farm Bureau

arfb.com

SUMMER 2012

Your

farming legacy can work

worldwide

Faces of Agriculture

New FFA officers

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Arkansas Agriculture

SUMMER 2012

Inside...

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 3

E S

Reaping what they sow by Rhonda Owen

Farm Bureau Perspective by Randy Veach Faces of Agriculture — Casandra Cox by Tara Johnson arfb.com

SUMMER 2012

Policy Update by Michelle Kitchens Spotlight on Youth — BELIEVE in service by Mollie Dykes

Your

farming legacy can work

worldwide Rural Reflections Photo New FFA officers

On the cover – Seven-year-old Chet Serei of Cambodia shows off some eggs his family raised through a Heifer International project last January. Read in this issue how a long-time Arkansas farm family set up their retirement to help Heifer International in its work to relieve hunger worldwide. Photo credit: Heifer International

Executive Editor: Steve Eddington Editor: Gregg Patterson Contributing Writers: Ken Moore, Keith Sutton, Chris Wilson Research Assistant: Brenda Gregory

3 18 22 26 28

Farm Bureau

Arkansas Agriculture

is an official publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation.

Perspective

Arkansas Agriculture is distributed to almost 32,000 farming and ranching households in Arkansas. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Included in membership dues. ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU OFFICERS: President Randy Veach Manila Vice President Rich Hillman Carlisle Secretary/Treasurer Tom Jones Pottsville Executive Vice President Ewell Welch Little Rock DIRECTORS: Richard Armstrong, Ozark Troy Buck, Alpine Jon Carroll, Moro Joe Christian, Jonesboro Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart Mike Freeze, England Bruce Jackson, Lockesburg Tom Jones, Pottsville Johnny Loftin, El Dorado Gene Pharr, Lincoln Rusty Smith, Des Arc Allen Stewart, Mena Mike Sullivan, Burdette Leo Sutterfield, Mountain View EX OFFICIO Sue Billiot, Smithville Janice Marsh, McCrory Kirk Meins, Stuttgart Brian Walker, Horatio Arkansas Agriculture is published quarterly by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, 10720 Kanis Road, Little Rock, AR 72211. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Arkansas Agriculture, P.O. Box 31, Little Rock, AR 72203. Publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation reserves the right to accept or reject all advertising requests.

By Randy Veach, President, Arkansas Farm Bureau I certainly don’t have to tell those of you involved with Arkansas agriculture just how significant the drought has been this year. And Arkansas isn’t alone in this difficult environment, as the Midwest seems to have been hit just as hard, if not harder, than Arkansas. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the weather conditions in Arkansas for April through June were the driest in recorded history for those months. Because of that, I recently wrote a letter to USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack, seeking his support for an emergency request from Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Butch Calhoun. We encouraged Sec. Vilsack to provide assistance in the form of grants from the USDA to the Arkansas Agriculture Department. We indicated that this type of aid was successfully deployed in 2006, and the assistance was distributed to farmers and ranchers in an effective and timely manner. We also thanked the secretary for his quick action in declaring most Arkansas counties a disaster, which triggered some federal relief programs. Those programs will help many farms, though payments from the Non-insured Assistant Program aren’t expected until the end of 2012 or early 2013. We asked Sec. Vilsack to release partial payments this fall as another way to assist our struggling farm families according to USDA direction. The dry weather and extreme temperatures have negatively impacted our livestock sector. Our farm families have been faced with the difficult decision of trying to purchase alternative feed sources or sell a portion of their herds, if not total liquidation. I know Butch Calhoun, our new Secretary of the Arkansas Agriculture Department, stands ready to distribute any federal funds made available to help our farm families. The scope of this natural disaster has left many farms reeling. It’s in difficult times that our mettle is tested. I believe with some support from USDA and others that our farmers and ranchers will emerge on the other side of this drought, ready to continue providing safe and reliable food. *** This is the first opportunity I’ve had to comment on the appointment of Butch Calhoun as the second Secretary of the Arkansas Agriculture Department. We are pleased with the decision made by Gov. Mike Beebe and the Arkansas Agriculture Board. Butch farmed in Des Arc for more than 30 years. He’s been a county judge, a member of the House of Representatives and a successful director of the Department of Rural Services.

Send comments to: arkansasagriculture@arfb.com Created by Publishing Concepts, Inc. Virginia Robertson, Publisher vrobertson@pcipublishing.com 14109 Taylor Loop Road Little Rock, AR 72223 501.221.9986 or 800.561.4686

That’s quite a resume to bring to the table. We believe Butch will be an outstanding successor to Dick Bell, who as our first Secretary of Agriculture launched the department and led it professionally and effectively for seven years. We thank him for his service to our state, which followed his lengthy and distinguished career as head of Riceland Foods. Butch has demonstrated a keen understanding of rural Arkansas. He knows how important

For advertising information contact:

agriculture is to our state and the critical role agriculture plays in rural communities across

Tom Kennedy at 501.221.9986 or 800.561.4686 tkennedy@pcipublishing.com

Arkansas.

Edition 26

We look forward to working with him for the betterment of the men and women of agriculture.



Arkansas Agriculture

Reaping

what they

sow

Plowing up profits Billy Nzobo and his family working his crop fields in Zambia.

Arkansas Agriculture

A versatile charitable remainder trust cultivates ‘agri-tirement” for small farmers by Rhonda Owen

After a lifetime of farming in Arkansas, Charles and Mary Belk were ready to retire and reap the benefits of their hard work. But like other owners of small farming operations, they faced hard decisions about how to finance their golden years. Their wealth was in their rice farm — land, buildings, equipment, animals, remaining crops, etc. To fund their “agri-tirement,” those assets needed to be sold. Farmers “live poor and die rich,” says Charles Belk. “Like most farmers, I had no pension. What you’ve got is what you’ve accumulated during your life.” He explains the conundrum they faced. By selling the farm themselves, they’d lose 40 percent of the fruits of their labor to the government for taxes — an unacceptable option. But, still, the farm was their only means of creating a retirement fund. They needed an alternative, some type of financial mechanism that would allow them to liquidate their assets, sidestep the tax issue and guarantee them

Heifer International

lifetime financial support.

Arkansas Agriculture

Heifer International

Still helping feed the world Mary and Charles Belk are enjoying their retirement from farming. A charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT) they set up to help fund their retirement also will go where needed to fund Heifer International projects that teach people how to raise food in the U.S. and throughout the world.

“We didn’t think there was any

“We do get a quarterly benefit and

Heifer Foundation has offered

way we could avoid paying taxes,”

that’s enough for us to live on,” Mary

people like the Belks planned

Belk said. But they began researching

Belk said. Because of the financial

giving opportunities that serve

a variety of options. Then he

security of their trust, the couple has

their specific needs while helping

and Mary learned about Heifer

lived comfortably and happily in

others less fortunate. In addition

Foundation’s charitable remainder

Jonesboro since they retired 11 years

to charitable remainder unitrusts,

unitrust (CRUT) and discovered the

ago.

options include bequests in wills,

ideal solution for their dilemma.

A versatile option A CRUT is unique in that it’s

The second benefit, the Belks

named endowments and charitable

say, was that the trust they set up

gift annuities that offer fixed lifetime

with Heifer Foundation allows them

income.

to share their blessings by leaving

“There’s something for everyone,”

not an outright charitable transfer,

a sustained legacy for struggling

Neill said, noting that planned giving

but instead gives donors the rights

farmers in other parts of the world.

offers donors “a good way to pass on

to income from the trust for their lifetime. After they die, the trust

Small farmers helping other small farmers — what could be more ideal?

their values.” When the board of Heifer

“We’re so blessed with good

International created the foundation,

charitable beneficiaries the donors

soil and plenty of water. Other

its purpose was to provide sustainable

have named.

people aren’t as blessed as we are,”

financial backing for Heifer

Charles said. “It’s good we can help

International’s mission “to work

CRUT, Heifer Foundation works with

other people who don’t have the

with communities to end hunger

them, their financial consultants

advantages we have. It’s a win-win

and poverty, and to care for the

and their family to create a trust to

situation for everyone but the IRS.”

Earth” by growing and overseeing an

passes to Heifer and any other

When a person decides to set up a

endowment to fund its programs.

suit their unique circumstances, says Ardyth Neill, the foundation’s Vice President of Asset Management, CFO

An intertwined mission Since its founding in 1991,

The two organizations are separate nonprofit charitable entities, but

and Interim CEO. “There are many ways to structure this given the individual’s needs,” Neill said. “It’s very versatile. I’d say we have no two that are exactly alike, although there are some that are similar.” The Belks set up the trust,

hunter: another word for conservationist

signing over their assets to Heifer Foundation, which then handled selling them. This allowed the couple to avoid paying capital gains taxes while giving them a significant upfront tax deduction for the year the trust was established. Additionally, the assets used to fund the trust were exempt from any estate tax liability, Neill says. The Belks enjoyed a dual benefit in establishing their trust with Heifer. First, it resolved the tax issue and provided them with income for the rest of their lives. A CRUT requires

Hunters do more to conserve habitat than any other group. And they have achieved great things for wildlife and wild places by supporting conservation organizations like Ducks Unlimited. With their support, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres of habitat across the continent. Come share our vision of skies ﬁlled with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever.

that a specific percentage of the annual value of the trust be paid to the income beneficiary.

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Heifer International

Home Help Heifer International also works in the U.S. The Gibbs Road Community Farm is a partnership project with Heifer International and Cultivate Kansas City to help connect farmers with markets for their produce.

linked by the desire to end the cycle

animals with others in need. Giving

world who could benefit from these

of poverty and hunger affecting 925

people a source of food, not just food

“living gifts.” Milk from the goat

million people in 2010, according to

itself, was the guiding principle.

supplements the family’s food supply

the World Hunger Education Service.

Heifers for Relief began by

plus gives them a product to sell or

shipping 17 heifers to Puerto Rico,

share with others. When their goat

Indiana farmer Dan West’s belief

firmly laying the cornerstone for

has its first female offspring, they

that giving people the means to feed

Heifer International’s dedication

are required to “pass on the gift” to

themselves had long-term benefits for

to “passing on the gift.” Heifer’s

another needy family who also will

the poor. In 1944, he created Heifers

livestock gifts now include pigs,

pass on its first female offspring.

for Relief, a program dedicated to

goats, chickens, water buffalos

With the other offspring from their

ending hunger by providing families

and other animals. Here’s how it

goats, it’s the beginning of a herd

with livestock and training, so they

works. Heifer makes a gift of farm

they can sell or keep to provide a

could feed their families, as well

animals such as goats to families in

sustainable means of existence for

as share their knowledge and the

communities and villages around the

themselves.

Heifer International grew from

Arkansas Agriculture

R E T I R E M E N T

F O R

F A R M E R S

Yes, farmers can retire. And by investing your assets in a Charitable Remainder Unitrust, you can signiďŹ cantly reduce your tax burden, generously provide for your golden years with regular income payments and leave a legacy that supports farming around the world forever. To learn more visit www.farmersforheifer.org or call us at (888) 422-1161.

Arkansas Agriculture

Central Eastern Europe benefit

International’s mission. The

Rwanda, recently held a “Passing

from the concern of their farming

continuous support provided by

on the Gift” ceremony to mark

counterparts in the United States

such trusts ensures generations

the passing of a dairy cow from

who, like the Belks, pass along

of improvement in the lives of

22 Heifer donors to 22 recipients.

the gifts of their lifetime through

people like Aus and Yuri Lahuna

Their donations represented the

charitable remainder trusts.

of Thailand. In 2009, the Lahunas

A group of farmers in Jabana,

received five pigs and a water

sixth generation of giving for Heifer International’s cow project there. Small farmers in Africa, South America, Asia/South Pacific and

Continuing a chain of giving Charitable remainder trusts dovetail perfectly with Heifer

buffalo, seeds for a vegetable garden and the supplies to build a fish pond from Heifer International. Since then, their pigs have given them 12

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offspring, and they had a surplus from their vegetable garden to sell to nearby villages. In 2010, a Harris Interactive brand equity study showed that Heifer International is rated one of the top 10 most trusted nonprofits in America and one people said they would choose to donate to. Indeed,

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Heifer International’s success is inextricably tied to the generosity of donors, the majority of whom share their good fortune by making one-

“My beef checkoff can help me deliver a safe, wholesome product”

Clay Burtru

time donations or several singular donations over a number of years. But Heifer Foundation’s planned giving options allow donors who want to further Heifer International’s mission to provide

“Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a practice that’s second nature to our operation,” says Clay Burtrum, a cow-calf and stocker operator in central Oklahoma.

financial support in perpetuity.

Your beef checkoff investment funds the BQA program, which helps assure consumers that their beef is raised in a caring environment focused on providing a safe, wholesome product.

chain of giving — not just during

“Bottom line — we work for the consumer. BQA helps us do that,” says Burtrum.

sustainable agriculture. With the

My beef checkoff…helping raise consumer confidence in beef.

Through a CRUT, for example, small farmers lengthen and continue the their lifetimes but long after they’re gone. “We’re helping individuals with trust, a farmer’s funds go into an Clay Burtrum

Burtrum Cattle LLC Stillwater, Okla.

endowment, so the gift continues after their lifetime,” Neill said. “It’s ongoing. Those funds will

Hear more from Clay at

be invested and used for Heifer

MyBeefCheckoff.com

International to continue its work

or scan this QR code

around the world. It’s a way to ensure that you keep on giving. You can really have an impact for a very Funded by the Beef Checkoff.

Arkansas Agriculture

long time.”



Heifer International

The gift of farm animals fulfilled Billy Nzobo and his wife, Nestry, are an impressive example of how a family can benefit by having animals given to them by Heifer. They live in Tigwirizane, part of the Luanshya District in Zambia. In 2004, they received two cows and now have 16 cows. Billy sold one cow and bought roofing sheets for his house and then sold another cow and bought an engine and a pump to get drinking water and for gardening. He wanted to expand his farm and vegetable capacity, so he bought bull calves for plowing. The family crops include corn, onions, tomatoes, Irish potatoes, other garden vegetables and grass for cattle fodder. His milking cows zero-graze according to the Heifer International training model. The money earned during the last few years has enabled him to send all of his children to school, purchase bicycles, household goods like dishes, a TV set and chairs to sit in. His cows produce 20 liters of milk per day. “We didn’t have anything here before Heifer animals,” Billy Nzobo said. “My animals don’t get sick. God has blessed me. I follow the instructions given in training. This is where God has come in.” Asked what advice he had for other beneficiaries about to receive Heifer animals, Billy said, “I’d tell them the animals bring a lot of good things. If you have problems, just having an animal lessens the burdens in life.” Nestry knows firsthand how having the cows has improved life for her family. “We see a lot of difference in terms of nutrition. We are now able to raise more crops because of the cattle. Children drink milk now. We used to have two meals a day at best, now we have three.” 

Arkansas Agriculture

Will the

Cow Circle

Heifer International

Unbroken

Charles Belk

One cow.

remained in the dairy business. In

feel he could replace his brother in

That’s all Charles and Joe Belk’s

the early 1970s, a worldwide shortage

the business with a hired helper.

of rice prompted the government

his farm on an undeveloped piece of

to change its rice grower’s policy.

children with whom to leave their part

land in rural Arkansas.

Under the new policy, farmers who

of the farm. Joe and his wife Judith’s

“When he bought the land,

hadn’t previously been farming rice

four children had professional careers

there wasn’t even a road to get to

before the government freeze were

and no interest in farming. Charles

his place,” Charles Belk said when

allowed to get into the domestic rice

and Joe decided it was time to sell the

describing his father’s determination.

farming business. The Belks saw this

farm.

“He cleared the land with a team of

as a welcome opportunity to get out

mules and a hired man. Some of the

of the seven-day a week, 365 days a

supporter of Heifer International (HI)

farmers around here told him that

year business of dairy farming and get

for many years and passed on to his

he had just bought a frog pond that

into a more seasonal and profitable

children his desire to help the hungry

wouldn’t even grow frogs, much less

business that best suited their marshy

by providing them a means to support

anything else.”

land.

themselves. When the brothers first

But that didn’t deter their father.

The Belk’s had a friend, a rice

The Belk’s father was an avid

decided to liquidate the farm, Charles

He cleared the marshy land and built

farmer nearby, who helped them in

made his first call to HI to ask how

a home, including hand splitting the

their transition into rice farming. The

he might donate the farm equipment

cedar shingles made from trees felled

helping hands they received and the

to the HI Ranch. After evaluating the

on his property.

breaks they’d been given are values

Belk’s equipment, it was determined

From just one cow, Belk Farms

the Belk’s would always remember.

that the ranch might only be able to

eventually grew into a thriving dairy

When Joe and his wife faced

use a portion of what they wanted to

farm. For many years, Belk Farms

12 8

Charles and wife Mary had no

father had when he decided to start

Arkansas Agriculture Arkansas Agriculture

difficult health issues, Charles didn’t

donate. It was then that they spoke

with Heifer International Foundation

payments for the rest of each couple’s

(HIF) about their current situation and

lives, which supply them with a

their future needs. HIF was able to

dependable income. After Charles and

assess their needs and suggest selling

Mary’s lifetime, the remainder of the

their farm (including the rice crop

trust will go into the HIF endowment.

already in storage) and establishing a

And Joe and Judith’s children were

charitable trust for the Belk’s with the

written into the trust to receive regular

proceeds from the sale.

income from the trust for a 20-year

After reading a magazine article

period. At the end of the 20 years, the

about charitable trusts, Charles

remainder of the trust will also go into

contacted his CPA to ask if this was

the HIF endowment. Once the funds

right for them. Charles and Mary

are placed in the endowment, families

were still in great health and wanted

around the world will reap the benefits

to have dependable income to enable

of their charitable gift for many

them to pursue their love of traveling

generations. Lives will be spared and

cross-country by train. Joe needed

enriched with the gift of life-sustaining

income for their medical costs, but

and income-producing animals that

also worried he would not be leaving

will help people become self-reliant.

anything for their children. HIF proposed a charitable remainder

Grower Direct

We also offer over 200 varieties of Fruit and a Nut Trees plus Vine and Berry Plants.

Dan West’s philosophy, circles are important – even sacred. In the case of

for Joe’s children.

the Belk brothers, what began with one

Ison’s Nursery

Since 1934

cow almost 100 years ago will come

each received a one-time charitable

full circle with one cow for someone

tax deduction. They receive regular

needing help getting a start.



Grow half-dollar size

Muscadines and Blackberries.

In Heifer International founder

trust for both, with a term of 20 years After a charitable trust is established,

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Banks Law Firm Expands Agricultural Law Practice Adding Grant Ballard as New Associate Grant Ballard has joined Chuck Banks at the Banks Law Firm as it expands practice areas to better serve mid-south farmers. Ballard is a Cum Laude graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, receiving his Juris Doctor in May 2011. He also recently earned his LL.M in Agricultural and Food Law from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville. Specific practice areas include Crop Insurance, Litigation and Arbitration, and USDA Farm Program Compliance and Litigation. For more information, please contact Chuck Banks, cbanks@bankslawfirm.us, or Grant Ballard, gballard@bankslawfirm.us.

Banks Law Firm, PLLC 100 Morgan Keegan Drive, Suite 100 Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 501-280-0100 BanksLawFirm.us To download two recent agri-law articles authored by Grant Ballard – “Changing Times Demand a New Approach to Farm Risk Management” and “Filing a Crop Insurance Claim: An Overview for Producers” – please go to BanksLawFirm.us.

Arkansas Agriculture

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Arkansas Agriculture

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RiceTec Hybrid Rice

RiceTec &OHDUĂˇ HOGp Hybrid Rice

Price/Bushel

$6.47

Yield (bu/A)

170

160

190

Revenue

$1,100.41

$1,035.68

$1,229.86

Expenses

($818.00)

($867.00)

($854.00)

($896.00)

Return

$282.41

$168.68

$375.86

$333.86

Source: University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Expenses adjusted for increased urea cost. Rice price chosen as an example only. No land use value or land rent assigned. See the complete report at http://uaex.edu/depts/ag_economics/budgets/2012/budgets2012.pdf. 7KHVH GDWD DUH QRW D JXDUDQWHH RI SHUIRUPDQFH QRU GR WKH\ FRQVWLWXWH D ZDUUDQW\ RI Ăˇ WQHVV IRU a particular use.

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Leadership and Innovation Within the Field of Rice

Faces of Agriculture compiled by Tara Johnson

Casandra Cox Casandra Cox is a mother, instructor and agriculture advocate. She’s a firm believer that children should be exposed to agriculture and shown why it’s important to us. Casandra sat down and answered a few of our questions for the “Faces of Agriculture” series. Check out her thoughts Tara Johnson

below.

1. How are you involved in agriculture? Currently I’m an instructor of agricultural communications and leadership at the University of Arkansas.

Teach your children well Casandra Cox cultivates her children’s personal investment in agriculture. She’s shown here with her son, Cade, and daughter, Makayla.

While we don’t work directly in production agriculture, we understand the

basic needs. Moreover, agriculture is

importance of agriculture in Arkansas and

important, because it has been an

the United States. My husband, a former

essential component of our society.

FFA member, and I, a former 4-H member,

Values including hard work, traditions,

learned a lot from our agriculture projects.

working for something beyond one’s self

We work hard to ensure our children

interests are why agriculture is important

have an understanding of agriculture,

to me.

so they become knowledgeable consumers. Our children are able to experience agriculture through 4-H-based projects and, additionally, through education and outreach programs

5. As a mother of two, how have you introduced your children to agriculture? Why was it important to you to get them involved? First, my husband and I are “value-added” products of agriculture, if you will. Growing up in rural, agriculture-based communities,

4. What is the one thing you want everyone to know about agriculture and farming? It is critical for parents to learn

our secondary and post-secondary educations in agriculture and our personal experiences directly shaped our opinions and beliefs about the value of agriculture.

including Farm Bureau-sponsored Ag in the

about agriculture, so they can help their

Classroom, Division of Agriculture Field

children make educated decisions. With

which is rich in agriculture, because it’s rich

Days and the Southwest Dairy Farmers

fewer families having direct connections

in opportunities. We haven’t forced our

Mobile Classroom.

to agriculture, it’s important for parents

children to embrace agriculture, but rather

to make agriculture a priority in raising

integrated it into our discussions. We try to

well-rounded children. Parents spend

encourage observations about what we see

a lot of time and money making sure

growing in the operations we pass during our

their children have the resources

daily commute, we talk about products when

and animal food and fiber products through

needed to do well in school, engage in

we are at the store, and we engage in small

science-based approaches.

extracurricular activities and learn about

hands-on projects.

2. In your own words, what is agriculture? Agriculture is the production of plant

languages and culture. All of this we do

3. Why do you think agriculture is important? Agriculture is important for what should be obvious reasons: meeting life-sustaining,

Arkansas Agriculture

We chose to live in a rural location

While we will probably never own a

to ensure the brightest future for our

farming operation, it’s still important for

children. And agriculture is an essential

our children to understand, appreciate

component of their daily lives. If we are

and cultivate their personal investment

going to live it, we should learn about it.

into agriculture.



E T S TA

N A K AR

RM A F M

COM . S SA

BL A T TO

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Arkansas Agriculture

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS OF ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the members of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation will be held at 8 a.m., Friday, November 30, 2012, in Horner Hall at the Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs, Arkansas. The purpose of this meeting is to elect a Board of Directors for the ensuing year and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Ewell R. Welch Executive Vice President

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS OF FARM BUREAU MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF ARKANSAS, INC. Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the members of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc. will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, November 30, 2012, in Rooms A & B at the Embassy Suites, Hot Springs, Arkansas. The purpose of this meeting is to elect a Board of Directors for the ensuing year and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Tom Jones Secretary

Arkansas Agriculture

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PolicyUpdate by Michelle Kitchens

All farmers know it makes a difference to be actively engaged on the farm, with family or in the community. It’s the difference in farm profitability or in how children turn out or if the volunteer fire department gets a new truck. Being actively engaged makes a difference when farmers access farm bill programs too. Without doubt, farmers have an enormous influence when they make their voices heard. Here are three recent examples where farmer response had an impact.

Transportation regulations In July, Congress passed H.R. 4348 that The comments contained reasonable

reauthorizes several national transportation

taken years to resolve but farmers and other

programs. The bill also includes agriculture

homeowners persisted, working first with

arguments against the unwarranted

transportation exemptions championed by

then Rep. Marion Berry. In early July, U.S.

regulations. They also expressed the passion

farmers. Last year, the Federal Motor Carrier

Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman led

of farmers and their children for their way

Safety Administration (FMCSA) requested

a bipartisan group of senators in defeating

of life and the resulting character it built by

input about possible changes to agriculture-

a proposal to mandate flood insurance for

hard work on the farm. The DOL withdrew

related highway rules. Farmers responded

individuals who live behind healthy levees

the entire rule and reached out to the farm

with common sense reasons why existing

and other flood--control structures.

community to open discussion on improving

exemptions worked and should be expanded.

After some procedural maneuvering

youth safety on the farm. ***

FMCSA agreed. In H.R. 4348, Congress

by Sen. Pryor, the Senate stripped the

solidified many of those exemptions into

provision from the overall bill. The senators

law. The new language allows some farm

accomplished this by using the arguments

farmer voices making a difference. There are

exemptions from requirements to obtain

supplied by farmers and other businesses

different levels of being actively engaged, and

a commercial driver’s license, medical

that those behind flood-control structures

agriculture needs farmers on every level. To

certificates, hours of service restrictions

already pay for flood protection through

receive more information about agriculture

and any requirement relating to vehicle

infrastructure investments, such as local levee

issues, Arkansas Farm Bureau provides

inspection, repair and maintenance. These

taxes.

several resources including newsletters, both e-versions and traditional, a constantly

exemptions apply to properly marked farm vehicles weighing less than 26,001 pounds and larger farm vehicles traveling within

There are hundreds more examples of

Child labor regulations When the Department of Labor (DOL)

updated website and social media presence. Visit arfb.com to see some of the issues

state or within 150 air miles of their farm if

proposed sweeping changes to regulations

Farm Bureau engages in, and send a message

the vehicle crosses a state line.

governing youth employed by agriculture

to your elected officials. If you want to

operations, farmers, buoyed by FFA and 4-H,

receive automatic updates and Action Alerts,

responded with a roar. Comments from

call 501-228-1324 or email michelle.kitchens@

Flood insurance

organizations like Farm Bureau and their

arfb.com. Take that first step toward being

purchasing mandatory flood insurance as

members poured into the DOL against the

actively engaged. Agriculture needs you, and

a result of hurricane flood disasters. It’s

possible revisions.

you can make a difference.

Property owners in Arkansas faced

Arkansas Agriculture



Picture this!

Dust off your cameras and take part in Rural ReďŹ‚ections, FBâ€™s Front Porch photo contest.

arm Bureau members now have the opportunity to spotlight their creativity, their perception and their ďŹ‚air for the dramatic â€” or the comical or even the tragic â€” in Front Porchâ€™s third Rural ReďŹ‚ections Photo Contest. This competition offers amateur photographers the chance to explore the many activities, seasons, triumphs, disappointments and faces of agriculture, our stateâ€™s key industry. The photos that win this competition will capture the image and spirit of agriculture, and Farm Bureau, in Arkansas. The contest includes two divisions, High School (ages 14â€“18) and Adult (19 and older). The winner of each receives $250. In addition, one entry will receive a Grand Prize of $500. The winners and honorable mentions may have their works published, with credit, in Front Porch and Arkansas Agriculture magazines, on Farm Bureauâ€™s website, arfb.com, and in other publications. Arkansas Farm Bureau has the ďŹ nal decision on any and all questions or concerns regarding rules, judging, eligibility, prizes awarded or anything else that may arise pertaining to the Rural ReďŹ‚ections Photo Contest.

RULES t "OZ QIPUP UBLFO CFUXFFO +BO BOE 0DU NBZ CF FOUFSFE t 'JMFT NVTU CF IJHI SFTPMVUJPO KQFHT BU MFBTU EQJ t &BDI FOUSBOU NBZ FOUFS POMZ POF QIPUP t &OUFS CZ VQMPBEJOH ZPVS QIPUP BU arfb.com/get-involved/contests/ t "MM FOUSJFT NVTU CF TVCNJUUFE CZ midnight Oct. 31, 2012

t 5IF 3VSBM 3FĂ¸FDUJPOT 1IPUP $POUFTU JT PQFO UP NFNCFST PG "SLBOTBT 'BSN #VSFBV BOE UIFJS JNNFEJBUF GBNJMJFT &NQMPZFFT PG 'BSN #VSFBV JUT BĂłMJBUFE DPNQBOJFT BOE TFSWJDF DPNQBOJFT BSF OPU FMJHJCMF t 8JOOJOH PS IPOPSBCMF NFOUJPO QIPUPT BMTP NBZ CF QVCMJTIFE PO "SLBOTBT 'BSN #VSFBV T XFCTJUF arfb. com BOE JO PUIFS 'BSN #VSFBV QVCMJDB UJPOT BT BQQSPQSJBUF

There are more than 6 million Farm Bureau member-families in the United States, with more than 210,000

Arkansas Farm Bureauâ€™s Mission t advocate the interests of agriculture in the public arena;

member-families in Arkansas.

www.arfb.com www.facebook.com/ArkansasFarmBureau twitter.com/ARFB www.youtube.com/arkansasfarmbureau

Arkansas Agriculture

t disseminate information concerning the value and importance of agriculture; and t provide products and services which improve the quality of life for our members.

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® Arkansas Agriculture

Spotlight OnYouth BELIEVE in service New state officer team makes service top priority by Mollie Dykes

All with heart. Never done. Never six. Always one. This is the motto the 2012-2013 Arkansas FFA State officer team is vowing to live by throughout

impact they could make as members

These trainings help the

of the organization. That realization

state officers not only grow as

is what drove them to run for state

individuals, but also as a team. They

office.

help reinforce the notion they are

The theme of this year’s state

there to serve the members, not

its year of service to the state

convention was “I Believe,” which

themselves. Less than 8 percent of

association and its 12,000-plus

can be interpreted in many ways.

FFA members are state officers, so

members.

This team strongly believes in the

they are consistently reminded how

FFA and everything it has to offer.

lucky they are to be in that position

State FFA Convention, the six state

They want to show others the

of service.

officers made it clear they’re not

opportunities that await them if

in it for the title. They are in it to

they get involved and help them

three weeks of the Arkansas

serve and make a difference. Most

believe in FFA as well.

Leadership Conference in July, and

Elected on June 7 at the 85th

importantly, they want to serve

John Brian Kirksey, secretary,

They also got to facilitate

Duncan and Kirksey attended the

with heart, thus the reason for the

believes in the FFA because of “the

State President’s Conference in

words they’ve promised to live. As

drastic impact” it can have, while

Washington, D.C.

a team, they hope to make a lasting

Wilcox believes in the FFA because

Four high-school members will

impact and inspire members just

“it has the ability to change lives.”

join the team of six to be a part of

like previous state officer teams

Turner thinks FFA is worth believing

the delegate process at the National

inspired them.

in because it “builds leadership and

FFA Convention in October. During

prepares you for the real world.”

the delegate process, they will

Dausen Duncan, president, has been involved with FFA since he

“It’s the organization that made

was in eighth grade. He says he

me who I am today,” said Vicky

attended the Arkansas Leadership

Gallaher, Eastern District state vice

Conference for the first time his

president.

ninth-grade year, and that was

During the next year, these

vote on issues decided at the State President’s Conference. Next January and February, the team will facilitate three weekends of the Arkansas Greenhand

when he decided he wanted to run

six will have opportunities

Conference where they will work

for state office.

they wouldn’t have been given

solely with first-year FFA members.

Amie Wilcox, reporter, and

anywhere else. They have already

“I want to help them come out of

Jarrett Turner, Northwest vice

been through BLAST Off (Building

their comfort zones like I was helped

president, are both children of

Leaders And Strong Teams Of

to do in ninth grade,” Duncan said.

agriculture teachers, so they were

Officers) training and attended the

introduced to FFA at a young age.

National Leadership Conference for

banquets at which they’ll speak,

It wasn’t until joining FFA, though,

State Officers, both of which are

attending judging contests and

that they realized how big an