Arkansas Farm Bureau is seeking nominations for the Stanley E. Reed Leadership Award. This award honors a Farm Bureau leader who exhibits the tenets of thoughtful leadership. Nominations deadline is Nov. 14. The award honors a county Farm Bureau board member, who is between the ages of 36-45, for their outstanding leadership within their Farm Bureau and community. With the assistance of your county Farm Bureau, we will identify candidates for this recognition. Please consider nominating the best and most impactful young farm leaders in your county to be considered for this prestigious award. Nomination forms are available on the Farm Bureau intranet, under Organization and Member Programs, Board Forms.
(From left) ArFB President Dan Wright, 2024 Stanley E. Reed Leadership Award recipient Heath Donner, Nathan Reed, Vice President Mike Freeze and Secretary/Treasurer Terry Dabbs during the 2024 ArFB Convention awards recognition.
Stanley E. Reed served as president of Arkansas Farm Bureau from 2003-2008. He left a legacy of wisdom, integrity and commitment that will stand with this organization for generations to come. Both the state and national Farm Bureaus were shaped by his involvement in our organization.
The 2025 recipient will be named at the 91st Annual Convention of the Arkansas Farm Bureau Dec. 3-5 in Hot Springs.
ARKANSAS GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Leadership development has long been a hallmark of Arkansas Farm Bureau. County organizations are the strength of Farm Bureau and developing leaders to be a part of those organizations is critical to our continued success. Arkansas Grassroots Leadership (AG Leaders) was developed to ensure we provide the most comprehensive and effective program possible.
Recruitment is now open for the next class of AG Leaders. AG Leaders identifies and provides training and resources for potential Farm Bureau leaders, introduces them to all aspects of the organization, and connects them with current Farm Bureau leaders to ensure their success. It is a two-year program of work that offers opportunities at the county, state, and national level for Farm Bureau leaders. The AG Leaders program starts with regional meetings
where participants will receive an overview of Arkansas Farm Bureau. From there, participants will have the opportunity to continue their involvement at the state and national level.
Find more details and registration here. If you have any questions please reach out to Jennifer Craig at jennifer. craig@arfb.com.
AG IN THE CLASSROOM OUTDOOR GARDEN GRANT
The Outdoor Classroom Garden Grant Program is designed to show agriculture is an integral part of our everyday environment. Farms, wildlife, forestry, people, and cities are all interrelated with agriculture. Most of Arkansas’ wildlife lives on and feeds on private property, including farms and timberlands. The gardens can demonstrate the connection between agriculture, food, fiber, conservation, wildlife, and the urban environment.
Criteria for Schools, FFA Chapters and 4-H Clubs:
• Minimum of 100 students for average daily attendance
• Garden must be located on or adjacent to the school
• A farmer volunteer, preferably a county Farm Bureau board member, must serve as a project advisor.
• Teacher involvement is mandatory, and parental involvement is recommended
• The gardens must contain crops such as corn, wheat, rice, soybeans, etc., and/or vegetables and fruits. Livestock projects, including bees, are also acceptable.
• Funding may not be used for flower beds, butterfly gardens or nature trails.
• Submit a short status report detailing the use of funds, including pictures/video. The project does not need to be complete. Due by June 1, 2026.
General Information:
• Applications will be accepted through Feb. 20, 2026.
• These are matching-fund grants, and applications must include matching funds.
• Up to $500 will be awarded for new gardens; up to $250 will be awarded for ongoing garden projects.
• Matching funds may include monetary donations from outside organizations and businesses, school funds, and in-kind donations such as material, labor, equipment, etc.
If you have any questions regarding the Outdoor Classroom Garden Grant Program, please contact Donette Spann at donette.spann@arfb.com.
YOUNG FARMERS AND RANCHERS
DISCUSSION MEET APPLICATIONS OPEN
The Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet competition simulates a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. Through this event, young men and women build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems. The Discussion Meet gives participants an opportunity to strengthen their ability to analyze agricultural issues and decide on solutions. The competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. Judges look for competitors offering constructive criticism, cooperation, and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions. Applications for the 2025 YF&R Discussion Meet are now open. The meet will be held during the Arkansas Farm Bureau Annual Convention, Dec 3-5 at the Hot Springs
COLLEGIATE
FARM BUREAU
VIRTUAL TOWN HALL
In an effort to expand empowerment of young leaders, American Farm Bureau (AFBF) this year will be hosting a virtual Collegiate Farm Bureau Townhall with AFBF President Zippy Duvall at 7 p.m. (EDT) Monday, Nov. 3, via Zoom.
Please share this exciting opportunity with your collegiate chapters and members and ask them to save the date. They can also register using the link found here
The future growth of Farm Bureau depends on young leaders, those who are ready to answer the call and face the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. Duvall believes the investment in young leaders is a cornerstone of our organization, and why we are committed to empowering them to bring innovative ideas, strong voices and the determination to secure our sustainable food, fiber and renewable fuel supply.
The Collegiate Farm Bureau Townhall will be a great chance for students to hear about what opportunities lie ahead of them, how they have a place in our Farm Bureau family and how they can continue their journey in our organization.
Convention Center. The deadline to apply is November 14th. Additional information and applications are available here.
MARKET NEWS
as of October 29, 2025
Contact Brandy Carroll brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Rice
Rice futures are finally showing technical signs that a potential bottom has been found. After falling to a new 6-year low of $9.89 for November and $10.25 for January on Monday, the market charted a bullish key reversal, signaling that the bottom of the market has finally been found. Rice is benefiting from carryover strength from corn and soybeans and optimism about a potential trade agreement with the U.K. that would boost the market for U.S. rice. However, the upside likely remains limited with burdensome world and U.S. stocks weighing down the market. November futures have downtrending resistance currently near $10.30.
Corn
December corn futures continue to trend higher, trading above all key moving averages and closing the price gap left after the post–July Fourth selloff. Optimism in the market stems from four recently announced trade agreements and anticipation surrounding the upcoming meeting between President Trump and China’s President Xi. Although China remains unlikely to purchase U.S. corn directly, the new trade deals with Southeast Asian countries are expected to bolster corn and ethanol demand. With no new crop progress or export sales data available since late September due to the government shutdown, traders have been relying on private estimates. A recent Reuters poll pegs the U.S. corn harvest at around 72% complete. Technically, December corn is nearing overbought territory, but a sustained move and close above the mid-September double top near
$4.31 could trigger additional buying momentum.
Soybeans
November soybean futures have extended their rally following encouraging developments from recent U.S.–China trade discussions. The November contract traded within three cents of the 2025 calendar year high, while January futures set a new high on Monday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported that a framework agreement was reached over the weekend, with Presidents Trump and Xi expected to finalize details in their upcoming meeting. The proposed deal is said to include a pause on export controls for rareearth minerals and an increase in China’s purchases of U.S. agricultural products. The latter has been a key driver behind the soybean market’s sharp gap higher to start the week.
Wheat
Wheat futures extended gains early in the week, with the December Kansas City contract reaching a two-month high before meeting resistance near $5.20. That level prompted some profit-taking among speculative longs. A potential nearterm correction could test support around the 50-day moving average near $5.05. While fundamental news remains limited, sentiment has improved following several trade announcements. The newly reached trade deal with Japan, one of the top five buyers of U.S. wheat, adds to recent agreements with Thailand and Vietnam, providing fresh demand optimism for the export market. Despite the recent pullback, wheat continues to show signs of a short-term recovery supported by improving technical structure and stronger export prospects.
Cotton
Cotton futures opened the week on a positive note, with December gapping higher on Monday. The market is building support on the recent low of 62.71 cents and this week’s action suggests that will be the bottom of the market. Optimism about a potential trade agreement with China is underpinning the
market. China has moved to purchasing their cotton from Brazil in recent years, with Vietnam and other South Asian countries becoming important buyers for the U.S. in China’s absence. However, any demand from China is seen as a positive in the cotton market. December futures need to close above resistance at 65 cents to suggest another leg up, but harvest pressure could limit the upside in the near-term.
Cattle
The cattle charts have taken on a bearish appearance, although prices are still at historically high levels. The President’s announcement that he plans to import beef from Argentina to bring U.S. prices down sparked a selloff last week that has accelerated in recent days. Then on Friday, it was announced that USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins will meet with Mexico’s agriculture minister to discuss opening the southern border to cattle from Mexico. With New World Screwworm concerns, even the discussion of reopening the border was enough to send the market lower. December live cattle have now violated uptrending support and are now in position to test support near $222. November feeders have also gapped lower several days in a row, also violating uptrending support and testing support near $325.
Hogs
Hog futures continue to trend lower after setting new highs in September. The December contract is now testing resistance near $80.25. Pressure from cash fundamentals is a factor, as cash hog and wholesale pork prices continue to decline seasonally. More deferred contracts are finding support from expectations for tighter supplies in 2026. As holiday buying begins, high beef prices could be supportive for pork prices.
