Cccprogram arfb

80TH ANNUAL CONVENTION ®

DECEMBER 3–5, 2014 | HOT SPRINGS

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Triple ‘C’ Farm & Ranch Established 1935

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A R K A N S A S FA R M B U R E A U ommitment

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Featured Speakers

Asa Hutchinson Governor-Elect

Evelyn Browning-Garris Weather Historian

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Randy Veach

President, ARFB

Jerry Carroll

Farmer/Comedian

Where to Find it The Embassy Suites Hotel and Hot Springs Convention Center is located at 400 Convention Boulevard in Hot Springs.

All meetings of the board of directors will take place in the hotel; all other convention meetings will take place in the convention center, located between the Embassy Suites Hotel and the Austin Hotel.

The Arlington 239 Central Ave.

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The Austin 305 Malvern Ave.

Embassy Suites & Convention Center 400 Convention Blvd.

Shuttle Buses For your convenience, shuttle service will be available from The Arlington, Austin, and Embassy Suites hotels for all of the convention. Shuttle service times are: • Wednesday, Dec. 3, 9:15 a.m.–6 p.m.

• Thursday, Dec. 4, 6:15 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

• Friday, Dec. 5, 6:15 a.m.–1 p.m.

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Special Events n YF&R DISCUSSION MEET: 10 a.m., Wednesday in Rooms 203–4 of the Hot Springs Convention Center. Finals are in the same location at 3:30 p.m. The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. Winner will receive use of a Kubota tractor with front-wheel assist and loader for one year, courtesy of Kubota, and the choice of a Honda 500 ATV or a Kawasaki 550 Mule, compliments of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. The winner also receives an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Convention in San Diego to compete in the national discussion meet. n YF&R ACHIEVEMENT AWARD CONTEST: The winner of the competition will be announced at the Awards Program during the Thursday afternoon general session. This program is designed to reward young farmers and ranchers (age 18 to 35) who are active in Farm Bureau and in their communities. The winner will receive $40,000 credit toward a GM vehicle of their choice, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, and will represent Arkansas at the national contest in San Diego. n YF&R EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE AWARD CONTEST: The winner of this competition will be announced at the Awards Program during the Thursday afternoon general session. This program is designed to reward young farmers and ranchers (age 18 to 35) who are active in Farm Bureau and in their communities, but who are not full-time farmers. The winner will receive a John Deere lawnmower, courtesy of John Deere Inc. and Arkansas John Deere dealers, and a Polaris Ranger, provided by Farm Credit and Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. of Arkansas, Inc. The winner will also represent Arkansas at the national contest in San Diego. n WOMEN’S LUNCHEON & SEW WITH COTTON FASHION SHOW: Noon, Thursday in Hall A. Great food and a great cotton fashion show. Tickets can be purchased at the information desk for $15 each. n AG IN THE CLASSROOM SILENT AUCTION: From 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Horner Hall Ballroom Lobby. Proceeds from this auction, sponsored by the ArFB Women’s Committee, will help support Ag in the Classroom programs. Items won in the auction can be picked up after 4 p.m. Thursday in the Horner Hall Ballroom Lobby. n COUNTY GROUP PHOTOS: County group photos will be taken by the stairs in the Grand Hall Lobby. Times are 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. on Wed., Dec. 3 and 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thurs., Dec. 4.

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A Word of Thanks We would like to express our appreciation to the 2014 convention cosponsors: Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc.

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WEDNESDAY December 3

Schedule of Events

9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

REGISTRATION Grand Hall Lobby

10 a.m. to Noon

YF&R DISCUSSION MEET Rooms 203, 204

10 a.m. to DISPLAYS/SILENT AUCTION 5 p.m.

Horner Hall Ballroom Lobby

1 p.m.

GENERAL SESSION

Horner Hall Ballroom

ArFB President Randy Veach, presiding

PRESENTATION OF COLORS

Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association Honor Guard

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Brent Lassiter, Chairman, ArFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Katie Branscum

INVOCATION

Janice Marsh, Chairwoman,

ArFB State Women’s Committee ADDRESS

Governor-Elect Asa Hutchinson

MEMORIAL SERVICE

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GM PRESENTATION

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE

Distinguished Service Awards

STANLEY E. REED LEADERSHIP AWARD

UofA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS

ADDRESS

Evelyn Browning-Garris,

Weather Historian

3 p.m.

DOOR PRIZE DRAWING Must be present to win. (Tickets will be available until 1 p.m.)

ADJOURN

2:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

REGISTRATION Grand Hall Lobby

3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.

CONNECT ARKANSAS INTERNET TRAINING Room 205

3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

SPECIAL CONFERENCES ArFB’s Commitment to Youth — Rooms 201, 202 Livestock Market Outlook — Rooms 208, 209 Crops Market Outlook — Room 207 Membership Acquisition & Retention — Rooms 102, 103 YF&R Discussion Meet Finals — Rooms 203, 204

4:45 p.m.

YF&R RECEPTION Embassy Suites

5 p.m.

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE OPEN HEARING Room 207

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THURSDAY December 4

Schedule of Events

6:45 a.m. to PRESIDENTS’ AWARDS BREAKFAST 8 a.m.

Hall A

7:30 a.m. to SEW WITH COTTON REGISTRATION 8:30 a.m.

Room 206

8 a.m. to REGISTRATION 2 p.m.

Grand Hall Lobby 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

DISPLAYS/SILENT AUCTION Horner Hall Ballroom Lobby

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Connect Arkansas Internet Training Room 205

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

SPECIAL CONFERENCES Forestry Market Outlook — Rooms 201, 202 Farm Bill Decision Tool — Room 207 Arkansas Water Plan — Room 208 Let’s Talk About Food — Room 209

9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

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SPECIAL CONFERENCES Specialty Crops Marketing — Rooms 201, 202 90th General Assembly Preview — Room 207 Technology Advances — Room 208 What Leaders Need To Know — Room 209 SPECIAL CONFERENCES Grain Dealer Laws — Room 207 Energy Cost Share Programs — Room 208 Battling Anti-Agriculture Groups — Room 209 Meet Your New Congressmen — Rooms 201, 202

Noon

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU WOMEN’S LUNCHEON & SEW WITH COTTON FASHION SHOW Hall A

2 p.m.

GENERAL SESSION Horner Hall Ballroom ArFB Vice President Rich Hillman, presiding

ADDRESS

ArFB President Randy Veach

AWARDS:

RECOGNITION OF SERVICE

Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture, Butch Calhoun

FRIEND OF FARM BUREAU AWARDS

AG EDUCATION

AgVocate of the Year

Miss Arkansas Rice

Superior Teacher

MEMBERSHIP

Outstanding County Women’s Program

YF&R Discussion Meet Winner

YF&R Excellence in Ag Winner

YF&R Achievement Winner

Membership Retention Award

Area Excellence Award

President’s Award

ADDRESS

Jerry Carroll,

Farmer/Comedian

DOOR PRIZE DRAWING Must be present to win. (Tickets will be available until 2 p.m.)

4:45 p.m.

ADJOURN

5:15 p.m.

CAUCUS OF VOTING DELEGATES Rooms 201, 202, 203, 204, 207, 208, 209

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Caucus of Voting Delegates District 1 — Room 201

Craighead Lee Crittenden Mississippi Cross Phillips

Poinsett St. Francis

District 2 — Room 202

Clay Lawrence Sharp Greene Monroe White Independence Prairie Woodruff Jackson Randolph

District 3 — Room 203

Baxter Fulton Newton Benton Izard Searcy Boone Madison Stone Carroll Marion Washington

Crawford Howard Little River North Logan

District 4 — Room 204 South Logan Miller Montgomery Pike

Polk Scott Sebastian Sevier

District 5 — Room 207

Cleburne Garland Pope Conway Hot Spring Van Buren Faulkner Johnson Yell Franklin Perry

District 6 — Room 208

Arkansas Drew Lonoke Cleveland Jefferson Pulaski Desha Lincoln Saline

District 7 — Room 209

Ashley Columbia Nevada Bradley Dallas Ouachita Calhoun Grant Union Chicot Hempstead Clark Lafayette 12

FRIDAY December

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Events Schedule of 7 a.m.

BREAKFAST FOR VOTING DELEGATES Hall A

8 a.m.

BUSINESS SESSION Horner Hall Ballroom President Randy Veach, presiding

REPORT OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE

REPORT OF RULES COMMITTEE

INTRODUCTION OF PARLIAMENTARIAN

CAUCUS REPORTS Rodney Baker, Executive Vice President Arkansas Farm Bureau

ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS ELECTION OF VOTING DELEGATES TO THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU CONVENTION

BUSINESS REPORT

Rodney Baker

REPORT OF NOMINATING COMMITTEE

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

PROPOSED BYLAW CHANGE

DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON RESOLUTIONS

ADJOURN 13

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Conference Agendas Wednesday, Dec. 3

ArFB’s Commitment to Youth: page 16 Livestock Market Outlook: page 17 Crops Market Outlook: page 18 Membership Acquisition & Retention: page 19

Thursday, Dec. 4

Forestry Market Outlook: page 20 Farm Bill Decision Tool: page 21 Arkansas Water Plan: page 22 Let’s Talk About Food: page 23 Specialty Crops Marketing: page 24 90th General Assembly Preview: page 25 Technology Advances: page 26 What Leaders Need To Know: page 27 Grain Dealer Laws: page 28 Energy Cost Share Programs: page 29 Battling Anti-Agriculture Groups: page 30 Meet Your New Congressmen: page 31

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

ArFB’s Commitment to Youth 3:30–4:45 p.m. | Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Rooms 201, 202 Arkansas Farm Bureau staff will provide information on programs available for youth including, Ag in the Classroom, scholarships, Sew with Cotton, Miss AR Rice, Dairy Foods Contest, Dairy and Beef Ambassadors programs, M*A*S*H and Farm Bureau Safety programs and camps.

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3:30 p.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Janice Marsh and Peggy Miller, Co-Chairwomen, ArFB Board Members/State Women’s Committee

Matt Jackson, ArFB Education Coordinator

4:45 p.m.

Adjourn

Chuck Tucker, ArFB Vice President of Organization and Member Programs Brandy Carroll, ArFB Assistant Director of Commodity Activities and Market Information Bruce Tencleve, ArFB Assistant Director of Commodity Activities and Regulatory Affairs Donette Spann, Arkansas Beef Council Promotion Coordinator Jennifer Victory, ArFB Rural Health Specialist Amanda Williams, ArFB Safety Coordinator

CONFERENCE AGENDA

Livestock Market Outlook 3:30–4:45 p.m. | Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Rooms 208, 209 This session will explore the importance of export markets in sustaining the current robust market for cattle and hogs. A representative from the U.S. Meat Export Federation will address important issues relative to global meat trade. In addition, an overview of the current Beef Checkoff program will be provided along with recently proposed changes by USDA’s Secretary of Agriculture.

3:30 p.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Leo Sutterfield, Chairman, ArFB Board Member

Meat Exports Role in Supporting Current Price Levels Dan Halstrom, Senior VP Marketing and Communications, U.S. Meat Export Federation

4:45 p.m.

Beef Checkoff Program Developments: Current Structure and Proposed Changes Travis Justice, ArFB Director of Commodity and Regulatory Affairs Adjourn

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

Crops Market Outlook 3:30–4:45 p.m. | Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Room 207 With commodity prices on the decline and input prices remaining high, it is more important than ever for producers to have a marketing plan. A good marketing plan begins with knowing what your costs are and then determining your price expectation. This session will not only look at helping producers make decisions for their 2015 crop, but also provide insight on where prices are going this winter and spring to help you make decisions for your remaining 2014 crop.

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3:30 p.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Joe Christian, Chairman, ArFB Board Member

Marketing Crops in a Falling Market: Market Outlook, Budgeting and Risk Management Tools Matt King, ArFB Director of Market Information and Economics

4:45 p.m.

Adjourn

Scott Stiles, Instructor of Agricultural Economics, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture

CONFERENCE AGENDA

Membership Acquisition & Retention 3:30–4:45 p.m. | Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Rooms 102, 103 County leaders will be presented with challenging questions dealing with Farm Bureau membership and given answers to those questions to assist them in having a successful membership program in their respective counties.

Educational information will be provided through presentations on new and existing member benefits through ValuePlus as well as exciting benefits contained in Farm Bureau insurance products.

3:30 p.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Allen Stewart, Chairman, ArFB Board Member

Challenges, Questions and Answers to Acquiring and Retaining Farm Bureau Members Jeremy Wesson, ArFB District Director of Organization and Member Programs, NE

Member Benefits of ValuePlus Autumn Wood, ArFB Organization and Member Programs Assistant

Member Benefits Contained in our Insurance Programs Reed Camp, Dallas/Calhoun Co. Agency Manager

4:45 p.m.

Adjourn

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

Forestry Market Outlook 8–9 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Rooms 201, 202 Forest2Market, Inc. empowers participants in the forest, wood products, paper products and bioenergy industries to make exponentially betterinformed decisions. Forest2Markets’ Joe Clark will be speaking on the current issues facing the forestry industry in Arkansas. Timber price volatility, international pellet demand effect on the Southern fiber markets, new pellet facilities in Arkansas, and saw timber supply effects on pine saw timber prices are some of the topics to be covered.

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8 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Troy Buck, Chairman, ArFB Board Member

Forestry Market Outlook Joe Clark, Stumpage Forester, Forest2Market, Inc.

Open Discussion

9 a.m.

Adjourn

CONFERENCE AGENDA

Farm Bill Decision Tool 8–9 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Room 207 This workshop will cover the decisions producers need to make as they sign up for the new programs created by the 2014 farm bill. It will cover the Texas A&M farm bill decision tool which can be used by producers to help them choose the best programs for their own operation.

8 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Rusty Smith, Chairman, ArFB Board Member

Farm Bill Decision Tool

Dr. Bobby Coats, Professor of Economics

University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture

Interactive and Open Discussion 9 a.m.

Adjourn

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

Arkansas Water Plan 8–9 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Room 208 The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission recently completed a two year stakeholder process to update the State Water Plan. This workshop will provide an overview of the recommendations that resulted from this process and a discussion of how agricultural water use data is collected, how it is used in the planning process and why data accuracy is crucial to ensuring agriculture has an adequate access to water for future irrigation needs.

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8 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Terry Dabbs, Chairman, ArFB Board Member

Arkansas Water Plan Update Edward Swaim, Water Resources Division Manager, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission

Water Use Reporting: Why Accuracy is Important and How Data is Used Todd Fugitt, Geology Supervisor, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission

Interactive and Open Discussion

9 a.m.

Adjourn

CONFERENCE AGENDA

Let’s Talk About Food 8–9 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Room 209 People have never been more interested in their food and the people that produce it. It is easy to feel attacked and frustrated by questions from consumers. Learn more about what your customers want to know and how to answer their questions. Talk is not cheap. Conversation can be a powerful tool.

8 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Sherry Felts, Chairwoman, ArFB Board Member

Conversation with EASE Larry Stoller, Affiliate and Industry Relations Manager, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance

9 a.m.

Adjourn

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

Specialty Crops Marketing 9:30–10:30 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Rooms 201, 202 Many small-scale farmers are responsible not only for growing their crops, but also for selling their products. Agricultural marketing can include selling to wholesalers, distributors, retailers, restaurants, and consumers.

“Direct marketing” is the term for growers selling their products directly to consumers, whether at a farmers market, from a farm stand, or through community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Over the years, producers have struggled to develop innovative marketing channels and opportunities to help small-scale farmers add value to their products. Come join us as we address avenues for marketing crops.

9:30 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks

Johnny Loftin, Chairman,

ArFB Board Member

Market Maker

Ron Rainey, Professor,

UofA Economics Center for Ag and Rural Sustainability

ArFB Mobile App

Matt King, ArFB Director of Market Information and Economics

10:30 a.m. Adjourn

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

90th General Assembly Preview 9:30–10:30 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Room 207 Join the next Arkansas House of Representatives Speaker and Arkansas Senate President Pro Tem as they discuss topics and issues concerning the next session of the legislature, the 90th General Assembly. Questions will be allowed from the audience.

9:30 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks

Mike Freeze, Chairman,

ArFB Board Member

Speaker Designee Jeremy Gilliam

Arkansas House of Representatives

President Pro Tem-Elect Jonathan Dismang Arkansas State Senate

10:30 a.m. Adjourn

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

Technology Advances 9:30–10:30 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Room 208 It seems like new technologies are coming out daily and it can be difficult to keep up. These new advances can help you become more efficient in your farming operation as well as help you tell your story to the world.

9:30 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Joe Thrash, Chairman ArFB Board Member

Emerging Technologies for your Farm: Comparing Smartphones Tablet vs Computer GoPro Camera Best Buy, Hot Springs

Utilizing Solar Panels for Animal and Row Crop Operations

10:30 a.m. Adjourn

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

What Leaders Need to Know 9:30–10:30 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Room 209 What makes you worth more as a leader today than 10 years ago? What are the four most sought-after qualities in a leader? How will leadership change you? Why has leadership moved to a new game model? How can we best share our values and traditions with the next generation? Come and find out at “What Leaders Need to Know.”

9:30 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Bruce Jackson, Chairman, ArFB Board Member

“What Leaders Need to Know” Randy Frazier, Frazier Communications, Inc.

10:30 a.m. Adjourn

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

Grain Dealer Laws 11–11:45 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Room 207 Secretary of Agriculture Butch Calhoun and Darryl Little of the State Plant Board will provide our members with specific insight into the research they have conducted pertaining to grain dealer laws in Arkansas and across the country. Butch, Darryl, and various stakeholders from the agriculture industry continue to work toward gaining a better understanding of grain dealer laws and how they will impact the future of Arkansas agriculture.

11 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Jon Carroll, Chairman, ArFB Board Member

11:10 a.m.

Potential Grain Dealer Laws for Arkansas Butch Calhoun, Secretary of Agriculture, Arkansas Department of Agriculture

Open Discussion

Darryl Little, Director, State Plant Board

11:45 a.m. Adjourn

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

Energy Cost Share Programs 11–11:45 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Room 208 Over the last four years Farm Bureau members have saved more than $2 million on upgrades to their poultry houses and irrigation systems through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP was reauthorized in the new farm bill and allocates $800,000 in grant funds to Arkansas to assist farms and rural businesses in making energy upgrades.

11 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Tom Jones, Chairman, ArFB Board Member

Improving Energy Efficiency on Farms and Cost Share Programs to Help Farms and Rural Businesses Bruce Everly, General Manager, Energy Improvement Matters

11:45 a.m. Adjourn

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

Battling Anti-Agriculture Groups 11–11:45 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Room 209 Various anti-ag advocacy groups have challenged the established agriculture community on a number of fronts. This session will delve into how our neighboring state of Missouri has dealt with the issues of Right-to-Farm, environmental skeptics, and limitations on animal ownership.

11 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Gene Pharr, Chairman, ArFB Board Member

Insights into Missouri’s Experience

in Countering Anti-Ag Groups/Issues

Kelly Smith, Commodity Director,

Missouri Farm Bureau

11:45 a.m. Adjourn

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

Meet Your New Congressmen 11–11:45 a.m. | Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Hot Springs Convention Center: Rooms 201, 202 Last month, two new members of Arkansas’ congressional delegation were elected to represent our state in Washington, D.C. This forum will provide members an opportunity to get to know our Congressmen-elect and ask questions related to their advocacy for the agriculture industry in Congress.

We appreciate Congressmen-elect Hill/Hays and Westerman/Witt for making Farm Bureau a priority stop as they make their way toward the 114th Congress.

11 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Randy Veach, President,

Arkansas Farm Bureau

Rich Hillman, Vice President,

Arkansas Farm Bureau 11:10 a.m. Introduction of Congressmen

11:15 a.m. Remarks by Congressman Hill

Remarks by Congressman Westerman 11:45 a.m. Adjourn

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