Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2015

WINTER 2015

Farm Bureau’s

Legislative Priorities

9

Strengthening agriculture

questions for Gov. Hutchinson

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WINTER 2015

Edition 36

FEATURES

Farm Bureau’s policy priorities Michelle Kitchens | Page 6

Nine questions for Gov. Hutchinson Public Policy Staff | Page 12

COLUMNS

Farm Bureau Perspective

Randy Veach | Page 3

Plyler and Wright elected to ArFB state board

Mollie Dykes | Page 16

Faces of Agriculture – Jon Eubanks Gregg Patterson | Page 20

Policy Update – Get involved!

Michelle Kitchens | Page 24

Rural Reflections Photo Page 28

ON THE COVER The 90th General Assembly of the Legislature is underway.

It’s indoors work in hallways, meeting rooms and the Senate and House chambers that will affect what happens outdoors in Arkansas’ fields, forests and pasturelands.

Photo by Keith Sutton

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Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

Farm Bureau Perspective

by Randy Veach | President, Arkansas Farm Bureau

A

bout 30 years ago, I had a good family friend, Pat Sullivan, ask me to become part of my county Farm Bureau board. I was all-in with my family’s farming operation, committed to making a life and livelihood for my wife and children. I told him with two young boys, church, community and other activities, I had little time to devote to anything else, even something worthwhile. He responded with something that changed my perspective, saying “Randy, Farm Bureau believes in the family and moral values you believe in, and it works tirelessly for all segments of agriculture. You’ll be doing us, and yourself, a favor if you become part of the board.”

Well, he had spoken to my heart, grabbed my attention, and when others from the Mississippi County Farm Bureau board of directors also offered encouragement I decided to join their efforts.

Since receiving Pat’s advice, I’ve been intimately involved with this organization, and am humbled to begin my seventh year as president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau.

I recently retold the story about my invitation to the county board while in San Diego for the 96th annual American Farm Bureau Convention. It had been proposed by the national resolutions committee that Farm Bureau remove long-standing policy defining our position on family and moral responsibility — eliminating that section entirely in the name of political correctness.

There was obvious concern on the part of the Arkansas delegation with this suggestion. We believed it would send a message to others that we’d changed our beliefs — our family and moral values — and abdicate policy long central to Farm Bureau.

The Arkansas delegation made the decision to take the lead on this hotwire topic, committed to stand up for Farm Bureau’s existing position. Having had discussions with Farm Bureau leaders from other states, our delegation was confident others had become involved in Farm Bureau because of a similar commitment to rural, family values.

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

It’s clear to me the foundation of our organization originates from the shared family and moral values.

That foundation has made this organization strong for so many years and will keep us strong in the future. We can’t have conversations about farm policy without them tying back to family and faith.

Several delegates spoke in support of Farm Bureau keeping “values” at the center of our policy, and I’m pleased to say the policy was reinstated with a strong majority (86 percent) of the vote. Many came by to express support of the action, happy to see Farm Bureau reaffirm its policy, even in a world focused on political correctness. I believe the unity demonstrated on the issue set the tone for a cooperative and successful delegate session.

With the family and moral values policy addressed, the delegates moved on to discussion of a broad set of issues affecting U.S. agriculture, including international trade, private property rights, tax policy and environmental standards. A delegate from another state even suggested the decision to reinstate the policy set a positive tone for the rest of the delegate session.

It’s clear to me the foundation of our organization originates from the shared family and moral values. That foundation has made this organization strong for so many years and will keep us strong in the future. We can’t have conversations about farm policy without them tying back to family and faith.

God bless you and your family. God bless the farmers and ranchers. God bless Arkansas Farm Bureau.

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While you and Mark are managing your operations, your checkoff is helping build ld demand for U.S. beef worldwide.

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Issue #36 Publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

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Farm Bureau’s

Policy Priorities Let the legislative work begin

by Michelle Kitchens

T

he 90th General Assembly began its regular legislative session on Jan. 12. With new Governor Asa Hutchinson leading the state and 46 new legislators, the Capitol is brimming with new ideas. The November election gave Republicans significant gains in their majority and brought numerous first-time legislators to Little Rock. The session is anticipated to last 85-100 days, not a lot of time to make final deliberations and decisions on major legislation.

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Arkansas Farm Bureau will be working with the General Assembly and Gov. Hutchinson to accomplish a number of goals for our farmers and ranchers. After the business meeting of the nearly 300 voting delegates at the state convention, the state board of directors approved these priorities for this legislative session.

• Additional funding for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and retention of the existing structure of the Division of Agriculture within the University of Arkansas System.

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture proudly claims “Arkansas is our campus,” and it’s difficult to dispute. It has an enriching presence in all 75 counties, but the division hasn’t had a funding increase since 2007.

The Arkansas Department of Higher Education is recommending additional funding for the division. There is a real need for additional funding in order to retain employees in a competitive academic environment and provide the research services our members and the state depend upon. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is a longtime partner of Arkansas farmers, and we support additional funding for its work.

• Funding for Arkansas veterinary students at Mississippi State University.

In 2011, Rep. Jeremy Gillam was instrumental in creating a loan repayment program for Arkansas veterinary students attending Mississippi State University. Students are required to devote at least 30 percent of their practice upon graduation to “food supply veterinary medicine.” Since its adoption, Arkansas students at MSU have been excited about the possibility of using the program, but it has lacked state funding. Farm Bureau is optimistic about the opportunity to finally fund this program. It should be a valuable program to get more large animal and food supply veterinarians on the job in Arkansas.

• Continued funding for Discovery Farms Program and Big Creek Research Project.

The Discovery Farms research initiative is one of the best examples of our farmers’ commitments to environmental stewardship and transparency. The research monitors water quality and runoff on farms representing a spectrum of agriculture operations.

Discovery Farms are designed to test Best Management Practices and gather data on what methods are successful. The research is funded through public and private funds, and because it helps evaluate runoff and water quality, it’s a worthy expenditure of state funds. The research being done on C&H Farms on Big Creek is

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similar. The swine farmer who owns this operation is committed to water quality in his watershed, so he volunteered to make his farm the subject of this research.

Farm Bureau believes the research is important and can help all agriculture and, by extension, the state.

• Protection of the present structure of commodity research and promotion programs.

Arkansas Farm Bureau members have been the champions of the state’s six commodity checkoff programs and the research and promotion work accomplished through those funds. These efforts are funded with dollars paid mostly by farmers. Some of these programs have been in place since the early 1970s, and the youngest is more than a decade old. Their record of research funding and commodity promotion are welldocumented. The research and promotion boards are made up of farmers and ranchers who leverage checkoff funds to promote their respective crops, beef and catfish.

The funds also are used to fund research to improve production practices. The current structure has served agriculture well, and we support keeping it in place.

• Protection of agriculture’s interest in the state water plan update.

The state water plan revision has been ongoing for several years now. Arkansas Farm Bureau has been supportive of the update. Our staff and members have readily engaged in the process of the revision. Now, the final plan is in the rulemaking stage and will be reviewed by the legislature this spring. Among the many things we’re supporting are: increasing the available excess surface water, a voluntary metering program, funding of water resource projects and/or incentives for development of water resources, and reasonable regulations on nutrient application with better research in this area. Undoubtedly, we will support and oppose items within the state water plan, but the main objective will be to gain the best outcome for farmers according to our policy.

• Grain dealing and warehousing safeguards.

Recent events have raised awareness about the state’s grain dealer and merchandising laws. Many farmers have called for reform that offers more protection measures for the state’s grain producers. Our goals for grain dealing legislation include: requiring scale receipts and settlement sheets to be included with producer payments, new licensing requirements for buyers, an annual audit statement on file with the State Plant Board for buyers, a “slow pay” hotline to report delinquent

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

buyers, and a requirement that buyers maintain a one-toone asset to liability ratio. Our county leaders labored to develop policy they thought would protect farmers from future disasters, and we will be working toward that goal in 2015. Despite recent troubles with grain purchases, there will be opposition to new safeguards and tighter industry regulations. Farmers should prepare to be vocal on this issue.

• Adequate and accessible rural Internet connectivity.

Internet access means different things to different people, but its importance in the modern world is considerable. It’s a world marketplace, a research tool, a virtual classroom, a portal for telemedicine and an advocacy necessity. Rural Arkansas must be online. Access continues to improve, but the state still has a long way to go. Gov. Hutchinson campaigned that he wanted to give each student an opportunity to learn computer science.

Schools will need more and better Internet access to meet that goal. The 89th General Assembly commissioned a study to independently evaluate the schools’ needs, access and bandwidth capabilities. Helping the schools gain better access should improve infrastructure and increase demand in rural areas. This isn’t a problem with only one solution. It will require public/private collaboration coupled with many years and dollars to accomplish this objective. Long ago, Arkansas Farm Bureau pushed for rural electrification, and rural Internet access will prove just as important in the years ahead.

• Maintain Career/Technical Education under the Department of Career Education.

Presently, Career and Technical Education (CTE) is under the general authority of the Arkansas Department of Career Education. CTE includes such disciplines as agriculture, arts and communication, business and

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Priority access to water and timely delivery mean everything to agriculture. The state Legislature will consider the new state water plan during this legislative session.

Photo by Jay Malone

marketing, family and consumer science, skilled and technical sciences, and STEM. According to ACE data, 77 percent of all students in grades 7-12 are enrolled in CTE courses, including more than 24,000 students in agriculture. CTE plays an important role in preparing students for career readiness, and many CTE students report plans to continue training or education upon graduation. CTE is particularly important in preparing students for “middle-skill” jobs that require less than a four-year degree but more than a high school degree. Recently, some have expressed a desire to move CTE to the Arkansas Department of Education. When CTE was previously under the jurisdiction of the Arkansas Department of Education, it had less input and autonomy. The Arkansas Department of Career Education and the Arkansas Department of Education share a common goal of preparing students for the future, but CTE needs different support than is presently provided by the Arkansas Department of Education. Many leaders in CTE believe this proposal to move them under the jurisdiction of the Arkansas Department of Education will result in less support for their efforts, possible diminished funding and erosion of their curriculum. For these reasons, Farm Bureau

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supports keeping CTE in the Arkansas Department of Career Education.

• Additional measures to prevent metal theft.

The state’s farmers and ranchers are still drowning in the crime wave that is metal theft. Law enforcement, law makers and stakeholders have made strides to reduce theft, but with the price of scrap metal and copper high and holding steady, thieves continue to rob the countryside.

Farms are an easy target because not only do they contain volumes of these metals, but they’re also isolated. More can be done to provide protection for farms. Farm Bureau will be supporting legislation that increases barriers for thieves to sell stolen goods while enabling our police more tools to catch the criminals.

Farm Bureau will need the work of our county leaders if we’re to accomplish these priorities. It’s time to plan meetings with your state representative and senator, and let them know your thoughts on agriculture issues.

There will be 3,000-plus bills filed this session, and Farm Bureau will monitor many beyond the priority list. The organization will have positions on many bills outside our priority list: property rights, animal welfare, public infrastructure, taxes and food safety to name a few. 

Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

Arkansas Agriculture

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Then Governor-elect Asa Hutchinson delivers a speech at the 2014 Arkansas Farm Bureau state convention.

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Photo by Keith Sutton

questions for

Governor Hutchinson

On ag, the legislative session, budgets and tax relief

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Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

1. What is your vision for agriculture in Arkansas?

I was raised on a farm near Gravette, Arkansas, and was active in 4-H while in school, so I understand how important agriculture is for our state. Agriculture contributes more to Arkansas’ economy than any other sector. That’s impressive, because Arkansas is home to giants in finance, retail and manufacturing. My vision is to expand global opportunities to export Arkansas products, to continue support for agricultural research and for Arkansas to be a national leader in agriculture technology.

2. Where do you see agriculture fitting in economically in Arkansas’ future? What are your priorities for improving the agriculture economy?

Arkansas agriculture is a $20 billion industry and the leading economic driver in our state, providing one in six jobs. I expect agriculture to continue to be our number one industry.

There is a great opportunity to offer our products, particularly rice and poultry, to new markets worldwide.

As governor, I am committed to supporting our farmers by

advocating for open markets across the world. My priority is to support the diversity of Arkansas agriculture from small-farm operations, such as poultry, cattle and berry, to the larger scale row-crop farms.

3. What are the major challenges to agriculture in the future?

One of the biggest challenges is to reduce the regulatory burden on our farmers. A specific area of concern is the intrusive rules coming from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, I am concerned about the manner in which the Endangered Species Act is being applied in a way that places unrealistic restrictions on our farmers.

4. What are the biggest challenges that face state government that will have to be addressed during the 2015 legislative session?

We will need to address the problem of prison overcrowding so that it protects the public and does not overburden our state budget and the needs of our education system. We also need to reach a consensus on the direction of our health-care programs in Arkansas. That has become

Arkansas Farm Bureau’s officers met with then Governor-elect Asa Hutchinson on Dec. 22 in Little Rock to discuss the organization’s priority issues. Attending were (left to right) Secretary-Treasurer Joe Christian, Vice President Rich Hillman, Hutchinson and President Randy Veach.

Photo by Steve Eddington

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expansion of broadband to our rural communities. This can be done in an affordable manner in the near future with existing funding resources.

In addition, my goal is to have computer science classes taught in every high school in the state. High-speed broadband in every school would allow more opportunities for technology education. Arkansas’ students need to have the option of taking computer science classes that will teach computer-coding skills online. This is important for every area of the state, and rural Arkansas will particularly benefit from enhanced technology education.

Asa Hutchinson is Arkansas’ 46th governor.

a politically divisive issue. I am hopeful we can do something that improves the delivery of health care and is affordable — something unique to Arkansas.

There are other issues of concern, such as preventing another crisis like the Turner Grain bankruptcy and protecting our farmers without overregulating and creating unnecessary costs.

5. You campaigned on an income tax cut program. What will this mean to the average Arkansan if enacted?

As governor, my plan is to lower our high state income tax rate, starting with the middle-income category. During my first year in office, I will work with the legislature to reduce the income tax rate for those earning between $20,400 and $75,000. According to tax returns for tax year 2011, this would give tax relief to more than half a million hard-working Arkansans.

Arkansas is an island of high income tax rates. Every single neighboring state has a lower income tax rate than we do. If we want to be competitive in attracting jobs to Arkansas, we need to be competitive in our tax rate.

6. Rural Internet connectivity and adequate broadband access is an important issue for rural Arkansans. What is the solution for the state?

Arkansas needs cost-effective options for broadband access for schools in a way that will still encourage the

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7. Metal theft is still an issue across Arkansas. What additional measures do you think need to be put in place to stop these crimes?

With my background as a prosecutor, I understand the need for law enforcement to have the flexibility to pursue and prosecute those who harm the agricultural and economic development in the state through these crimes.

Additional measures should be put in place to increase the ability of law enforcement to track the sale of copper and scrap metals.

Arkansas crime is not limited to agriculture. For this reason, I have developed a plan to increase prison space for offenders, improve our parole system and supervision and implement drug treatment programs. This is designed to keep criminals off our streets and out of our fields.

8. An issue important to Farm Bureau is the additional funding for the University of Arkansas’ Division of Agriculture and its research stations and extension programs. Where does this rank in your proposed budget?

What about funding for Discovery Farms, the Big Creek Research Project and scholarship money for Arkansas students to enroll in veterinarian schools?

I have a history of supporting agricultural research and extension services in Arkansas. I fought for increased spending for our research programs while I was in Congress, and, as governor, I will continue to support programs led by the Division of Agriculture. I will look for ways to increase funding, but this must be balanced with the other critical needs that are demanding additional resources.

9. With water being critical for agriculture in Arkansas, what are your thoughts on the proposed new state water plan that will be addressed by the General Assembly in 2015?

My priority is to ensure that our state water plan protects our most important natural resource but does not unduly restrict our farmers in their land-use requirements and agricultural production. I will work with our farm leaders to address any concerns about the current draft of the proposed state water plan. 

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Plyler and Wright elected to ArFB state board Each to serve two-year term

by Mollie Dykes

T Caleb Plyler

Dan Wright 16

District Fair board of directors and is an active member of the Arkansas Charolais Association. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in agriculture from Southern Arkansas University.

Wright, 54, joined Arkansas Farm Bureau in 2003. A fourth-generation farmer, Wright began farming in 1990 and is currently raising broilers and hay on 200 acres. He also serves as Scott County Farm Bureau president and on the Scott County Poultry Committee, Legislative Affairs Committee and the Policy Development Committee.

“I’m honored to have been elected and excited to add my perspective to the Arkansas Farm Bureau state board,” Wright said. “I also look forward to representing the interest of farmers and ranchers in our area and advocating for the interests of Farm Bureau.

“When you realize agriculture is our state’s largest industry, you come to understand how important thoughtful, meaningful direction for the industry can be.”

Wright was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas and received a diesel mechanic degree from Rich Mountain Community College in Mena in 1981.

Outside of Farm Bureau, Wright enjoys playing golf and following politics. He presently serves on the Equalization Board and the Extension Council and previously served as president of the Scott County Fair Association. He also teaches Sunday school at Chant Lane Pentecostal Church.

Wright and his wife, Belinda, have two grown children, Dustin and Megan, and will be welcoming two grandchildren to the family this year. 

he 80th Farm Bureau Convention came to a close Dec. 5, 2014, with the election of two new state board members. Caleb Plyler of Hope and Dan Wright of Waldron were elected to two-year terms on the Arkansas Farm Bureau board of directors.

Plyler, 34, joined Arkansas Farm Bureau in 1999, the same year he started farming full time. He and wife, Briana, have more than 300 registered Charolais cattle on 1,362 acres. 385 of those acres are dedicated to hay production. Their 4-year-old son, Huck, is a constant fixture on the farm helping work the cattle and hay and learning the tricks of the trade.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to further tell the story of agriculture and improve the future of Arkansas agriculture,” Plyler said. “Farm Bureau does an excellent job of advocating for the farmers and ranchers, and I’m excited to be more involved in that.”

Prior to his election to the state board, Plyler was deeply involved in Farm Bureau. He served on the Hempstead County Farm Bureau board where he also served as vice president for two years, as a member of the scholarship committee and as a voting delegate at both state and American Farm Bureau conventions. In 2012, he and Briana were the YF&R Excellence in Ag award winners, and he was a finalist in the YF&R Discussion Meet in 2013.

Outside of Farm Bureau, Plyler taught agriculture for 10 years at the Blevins school district before going back to the farm fulltime. Additionally, he judges livestock shows, serves on the Southwest

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While you and Dawn are managing anaging your operations, your checkoff helps build demand for beef and impact your bottom tom line.

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Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

I-40 exit 101 Blackwell Between Conway and Russellville Office 501-354-5900

John Knight 501-412-7210 Charlie Dinger 501-944-2605 (Little Rock Gathering Station)

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17

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Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

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Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

19

Faces of Agriculture Greasy Valley cattle rancher, poultry grower and legislator Jon Eubanks is Speaker Pro Tempore in the 90th General Assembly.

Photo by Keith Sutton

Jon Eubanks

Family, work, community service

by Gregg Patterson

J

on Eubanks tries to live life simply even though he is a busy man. Yet, despite all the activities he’s involved in — rancher, poultry grower, husband, father, state legislator, Boys and Girls Clubs, serving on community boards and so much more — each part of his daily activity is most likely tied to the three simple things he values most: family, work and community service.

The energetic Eubanks, 63, lives just south of Subiaco in an area known as Greasy Valley.

His farm borders the land where the Franciscan Subiaco abbey sits. Though not a native of the state, he decided he was going to move from Virginia to Arkansas after visiting

20

a friend in 1972. A few years later, he and his wife, Janet, were on their way to Arkansas and have been here for 38 years. His father and mother decided to come, too.

He and his father bought an 80-acre farm with two poultry houses on it, and a year later he bought the house he lives in now on adjacent property and added it to his holdings. “Of course when we got the farm, we got insurance with Farm Bureau,” Eubanks recalled. The elder Eubanks was asked to serve on the North Logan County Farm Bureau board, and Jon eventually followed suit in the mid-1990s and later served as county president. “I started going

to commodity meetings in Little Rock and the annual state conventions, and you know how that works. You start making connections with people all across the state,” Eubanks said. “I’ve just always been active in attending the meetings.”

Even with a busy schedule as a legislator in the Arkansas House of Representatives, Eubanks still serves on the county board and regularly attends the various meetings. He’s a strong believer in community service, something he learned from his father. “I think if you’re going to be a member of something, you need to devote the time that’s necessary.

And the things Farm Bureau supports and represents are important to me,” Eubanks said.

“It’s not just the farming aspect of it but for what it does for rural Arkansas. The people of rural Arkansas and farming need the voice of Farm Bureau.”

Eubanks says one of the reasons he chose Arkansas was he wanted to raise his children on a farm. “I just wanted to provide my children with the best possible environment in which to grow up. I grew up in a rural area and helped on farms when I was a kid,” he said.

“The work ethic just was engrained in me, and I know how much I valued it. I thought it was going to be good for my children.”

Married 40 years, he and Janet have shepherded a successful family. Christopher, 36, is a University of Arkansas grad working in agriculture. Nick, 34, is a Texas Tech grad.

Daughter Stacy, 29, also graduated from the University of Arkansas. And the youngest, Andrew, 26, is a U.S. Naval Academy grad presently in flight school.

“Employers love to hire kids off the farm, because they know how to work, and we wanted our children to have an appreciation for hard work,” Eubanks said. “The people who live in rural Arkansas and throughout the country seem to have a better appreciation of what it takes to achieve things.”

Eubanks summed up the simple philosophy he tries to live his life by. “I believe family is the most important institution in society, work is an essential aspect of life and, when you’re in service of your fellow man, you’re in the service of God. And that’s very important to me,” he said. “To whom much is given, much is expected. I take that seriously.” 

Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

Arkansas Grazing Lands Coalition

Arkansas Grazing Lands Conference A conference for producers and landowners who what to have more profitable and resourse rich operations.

Learn, from fellow producers, how to graze more and feed less hay.

Registration – $40 (slightly more than the cost of one round bale of hay) if made by February 23.

Includes a hearty lunch.

Call 501-682-2915 Support funding provided by Natural Resources Conservation Service

Friday, February 27, 2015 Lake Point Conference Center Russellville, AR 9 am to 5 pm

Speakers include: Greg Judy MO Rancher and Consultant & Several South Central and Southeast Producers

For more information: www.argrazinglands coalition.org

Arkansas Agriculture

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*Offer ends August 30, 2015. Offer limited to multi-use Agricultural account customers with an available Special Terms credit limit. Subject to multi-use account credit agreement and approval. Fixed 0% APR from the date of purchase, which may be prior to delivery, until December 2015, when the entire transaction amount and accrued interest is due in full.

After the promotional period, interest charges will begin to accrue at the rate provided in the multi-use account credit agreement. Offer may be limited to qualifying products and minimum purchase requirements. Subject to John Deere Financial approval and merchant participation. Multi-use accounts are a service of John Deere Financial, f.s.b.

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

21

ATTENTION

Corn/Milo Farmers & Corn/Milo Landlords Emerson Poynter Law Firm, a leader in the recent GMO Rice Litigation, and a recognized leader in seed and crop lawsuits, is currently prosecuting Claims against Syngenta related to alleged damages to Farmers and Landlords due to certain hybrid corn seed varieties.

If you grew Corn or Milo, please contact us about your rights.

John G. Emerson, Esq & Scott E. Poynter, Esq

EMERSON POYNTER LLP Attorneys at Law 1301 Scott Street, Little Rock, AR 72202 (501) 907-2555 or (800) 663-9817

epllp@emersonpoynter.com www.emersonpoynter.com

Download your MOBILE Agent today!

• Visit app store on iPhoneTM or AndroidTM • Search for Farm Bureau Mobile Agent • Download Free App • Register for online account by selecting “Register” in the upper left corner of page (If you have already registered on afbic.com, you do not need to re-register) • Login using either your member number and password or your registered e-mail address and password

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Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

SEA MINERALS

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You can use your trust, estate or a donation of cash or property to set up a fund or endowment to support the causes you care about. We’ll handle the administrative details, and you can enjoy the satisfaction of using your fund to give back to your community. That’s smart giving!

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Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

23

Policy Update

Get involved!

Grassroots input makes it happen

by Michelle Kitchens

E

very legislative session, Arkansas Farm Bureau engages heavily in the work done at the Capitol. Being advocates for Arkansas’ farmers and ranchers is central to our mission as an organization. Our membership is critical to our success in these efforts. Many of our members are champions for agriculture, because they’re comfortable contacting their legislator about any topic whenever we ask. However, we need more champions involved in the process. Here are a few tips to get you started.

First, get to know your legislator. There are 46 new members of the Arkansas General Assembly. It’s reasonable you might not know who represents you, but now is the time to find out. Visit the Farm Bureau website to find that information. You can also download our mobile app for contact information and updates on issues. See the ad on the facing page for easy access.

Second, build a relationship. Now might be a difficult time to set up a meeting with the session in full swing, but it’s a great time to communicate. Most elected officials welcome communication from constituents: email, call, text, Facebook, tweet or meet, but establish a dialogue.

Third, be informed and organized. Arkansas Farm Bureau wants our members to be informed on the issues. We use a variety of tools to communicate with our leaders.

Contact us and we’ll work to keep you up to date. Being an advocate is about who, what, when and why. You need to know those things to be effective, and we can help.

When you do communicate, shape your message. When you ask for a legislator’s support on an issue: • Be honest – tell your side but don’t deceive.

If you don’t know the answer, say so, but find out and get back to them with answers.

• Be knowledgeable – you don’t have to be an

24

expert but try to know the basics. If you have a bill number or other relevant information, share it. Also remember if it’s a farm issue and you’re a farmer, you might be considered the expert.

• Be respectful – elected officials get a lot of negative press and communications. Most are hard-working public servants. When you communicate, be direct and adamant but always respectful. Occasionally you won’t get their support. Many times you will. Always remember you might not get their vote now but on another issue on another day, you will. By keeping a professional tone, you can approach them about other issues.

• Be persistent but not a pest.

• Yes, no, maybe – If they say “yes,” say “thank you” and stay in touch. If they say

“no,” ask for other solutions. If the answer is “maybe,” find out what they need to make a decision then work to get it for them. In everything you do, be timely. The state legislative session only lasts 90-100 days. If you wait, you’re too late.

These tips are basic but true. We need the support of our grassroots leaders to be successful. We encourage you to contact your legislator about Farm Bureau’s priority issues.

If you want to get more involved in legislative or regulatory issues related to agriculture, contact your county Farm Bureau. It will be able to share more opportunities with you about how Farm Bureau works to improve laws and regulations for farmers, ranchers and other Arkansans.

We want more members in our grassroots network. Now is the time to get involved. 

Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

Updated phone & tablet apps make advocating for Arkansas agriculture easier than ever before.

❚ State Legislature The “Government” section of our app gives you quick access to contact information for every member of the Arkansas General Assembly.

You can call or email their offices straight from the app.

❚ Officials & Agencies Handy access to contact information for state constitutional officers and agency heads.

❚ U.S. Congress ❚ Issues Keep yourself informed with up-to-date information on important farm policy issues.

Arkansas Agriculture

Get it on

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

Use our app to make your voice heard. We’ve made it easier than ever to share your opinions on agriculture issues with your Representatives and Senators.

25

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Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • WINTER 2015

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RuralReections

Huge icicles, some more than 6 feet long, create a frozen drapery along a rocky bluff in Ozark National Forest.

Photographer Keith Sutton took the picture on Fall Creek southwest of Devil’s Den State Park.

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