SUM M ER 2 0 18
Young Farmers Honored Plus: Smoke Management EQIP Success Stories
Meet Deacue Fields UofA Bumpers College Dean
FEATURES Young McDonald Had a Farm (and Earned a Major Honor) Ken Moore | Page 6 Michael & Lauren Lee: Young Farmers in a Changing World Maddison Stewart | Page 9 A Burning Isssue: Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines Keith Sutton | Page 12 Optimizing with EQIP Will Hehemann | Page 18 On the Ag Recruiting Trail No one will outwork Dean Deacue Fields Gregg Patterson | Page 28
COLUMNS
Farm Bureau Perspective Randy Veach | Page 3
Policy Update Michelle Kitchens | Page 24
Ag Law Update
Harrison Pittman | Page 32
COVER PHOTO by Keith Sutton
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SUMMER 2018
Edition 50
Farm Bureau Perspective by Randy Veach | President, Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
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olicy development meetings, which make up the very core of our organization, are ramping up in every county Farm Bureau across the state. And the benefits of active engagement from our membership will speak out in the form of our 2019 public policy. As you well know, the policy positions of Arkansas Farm Bureau are made by the members and leaders of this organization; not from the top down but from the ground up, true grassroots policy. The deadline for counties to present proposals is Oct. 17, and our state resolutions Committee will meet Nov. 7-8 to sort through the county’s proposals to be considered at our annual convention’s business session Nov. 30. Gov. Asa Hutchinson made a recent visit to our midsummer Officers & Leaders conference to outline plans for reorganization of the Arkansas Agriculture Department. His comments spoke straight to Farm Bureau policy. Armed with handouts for those in attendance, Gov. Hutchinson highlighted his plans to transform state government and reduce the number of state agencies by 50 percent, a plan he first announced in March. His comments at O&L carried a particular focus on the impact to the Arkansas Agriculture Department. For those of you not able to attend O&L, the governor’s comments can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/GovAsaOL2018. While standing in front of our members at Officers & Leaders, Gov. Hutchinson said “I heard you, and I have listened to you.” What the governor had heard was Arkansas Farm Bureau leaders, our grassroots, speaking out through our policy, then engaging with members of the state legislature to help them understand what our policy positions mean and what was behind their adoption. Based on our 2018 policy, Arkansas Farm Bureau would support parts of the plan that was presented by the governor, but oppose other portions of the proposal.
Of course, our membership may alter any or all of this policy for 2019 through the policy development process. When Farm Bureau members are engaged, educated and empowered – not coincidentally the theme of our most recent Officers & Leaders Conference – Arkansas Farm Bureau is a strong, meaningful voice on behalf of Arkansas agriculture. Your state board stands behind the policy that you define. We need the input of farmers and ranchers across the state during our policy development process. There are a number of issues that will come in front of the Arkansas General Assembly in next year’s session that could have a big impact on Arkansas agriculture, your livelihood, and our state’s economy. As part of our PD process, we have created a 2019 Policy Development guide that outlines many of the issues to consider. Of course, don’t hesitate to bring any issue in front of our policy development process, whether it is covered in the guide or not. Our Farm Bureau staff, and state board, are always available if you have any questions about policy. I know when Farm Bureau leaders are involved in policy development, and then step up in support of those positions, this organization can stand firmly behind our member-defined policy. We know our policy will thoughtfully address a broad set of government issues that are important to agriculture and the great state of Arkansas. I encourage each one of you to take part in the policy development process at your county level. Individually, it is difficult to make a difference, but collectively, as Farm Bureau, we can. When we engage and get the information we need (i.e., education) then we all become empowered. God bless you and your families. God bless the farmers and ranchers of our state. And God bless Arkansas Farm Bureau. *
... the policy positions of Arkansas Farm Bureau are made by the members and leaders of this organization; not from the top down but from the ground up, true grassroots policy.
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An official publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation distributed to more than 43,000 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 • Joe Christian, Jonesboro Executive Vice President • Warren Carter, Little Rock DIRECTORS:
Jon Carroll, Moro Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart Sherry Felts, Joiner Mike Freeze, Little Rock Bruce Jackson, Lockesburg Tom Jones, Pottsville Terry Laster, Strong Jeremy Miller, Huntsville Gene Pharr, Lincoln Caleb Plyler, Hope Rusty Smith, Des Arc Joe Thrash, Houston Dan Wright, Waldron EX OFFICIO
Magen Allen, Bismarck Donna Bemis, Little Rock Adam Cloninger, Keo Mark Morgan, Clarksville Executive Editor • Steve Eddington Editor • Rob Anderson Contributing Writers • Ken Moore, Gregg Patterson, Maddison Stewart, Keith Sutton ADVERTISING
Contact Tom Kennedy at Publishing Concepts for advertising rates tkennedy@pcipublishing.com (501) 221-9986 Fax (501) 225-3735 Arkansas Agriculture is published quarterly by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation 10720 Kanis Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Arkansas Agriculture, P.O. Box 31, Little Rock, AR 72203 Issue #50 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. Send comments to: arkansasagriculture@arfb.com
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Randi, River, Skylar, Tyler and Hunter McDonald enjoy a moment in the shade of one of their farm’s pecan trees.
hen Tyler McDonald found out that he had miles of soonto-be-abandoned natural gas pipeline six feet under his farm and ranch land in near Lewisville, he could have easily shrugged it off and moved on with his life, but that’s not the way his mind works. Instead, he decided to dig it all up on his own and use the metal to help build a massive hay barn. “Innovative.” “Diversified.” “Thrifty.” These are some of the words people use to describe Tyler and Randi McDonald of Spring Hill, winners of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 2018 Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award, and the pipeline story exemplifies all of these attributes. In an economic climate in which diversification is critical to ongoing success, the McDonalds have positioned themselves well. Their 1,200-acre farm consists of four commercial broiler houses, commercial and purebred angus cattle, 75-acres of corn for silage, a custom hay and sprigging operation, a poultry house cleanout business for neighboring farms and perhaps most significant, an expanding pecan growing and marketing business. Tyler and Randi, both 30 years old, are active in Lafayette County Farm Bureau and the Young Farmer and Rancher, or YF&R, program, which is for farmers and ranchers 35 years of age
YOUNG MCDONALD
(and Earned a Major Honor)
Had a Farm
by Ken Moore Photos by Keith Sutton
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and younger. Family and heritage are also important to the couple, who have three children, six-year-old Hunter, fouryear-old Skylar and two-year-old River. “I’m proud to be a fifth-generation farmer,” says Tyler. “This began as a little 100-acre farm and has continued to grow. This is what we love to do. We love working every day, taking care of our cows, our pecan trees, our corn. Hopefully we can grow our farm so our children will choose to be the sixth generation of McDonalds to take it over one day.” Tyler’s innovative nature is key to the farm’s continued growth and success, because it allows the family to address challenges while saving money for lean times or future expansion and keeping the family out from under a heavy debt load. Tyler is particularly fond of finding new ways to utilize old, existing materials and equipment for new projects. The digging up of the pipeline required a lot of personal labor, but very little expense, and it allowed the family to construct a 40 x 80 x 14 hay storage barn for protecting the hay from the elements. Tyler also designed and built a 36-foot hay bale wagon from an old grain cart. This unique system feeds four 4 x 4 x 8 square bales at a time to he and his father’s combined herd of 400 cows. The wagon has a chain floor and drops blocks of the bales every six feet. The wagon is also used to feed corn silage chopped on the farm.
The McDonald’s oldest son, Hunter, stands on the wheel of his father’s unique hay bale wagon, made from an old grain cart.
Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach (l), the McDonald family – Randi, Skylar, River (in Randi’s arms), Tyler and Hunter – and Arkansas Farm Bureau Vice President Rich Hillman (r) on stage at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Officers & Leaders conference, where the McDonalds received the YF&R Achievement Award.
Tyler and his father have a combined herd of 400 cows.
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Hay bales under the shelter of the storage barn Tyler built using the pipeline he dug up on his land.
“This is what we love to do. We love working every day, taking care of our cows, our pecan trees, our corn,” says Tyler. “Hopefully we can grow our farm so our children will choose to be the sixth generation of McDonalds to take it over one day.”
The McDonald’s original farm came with a small pecan orchard which Tyler has come to see as the possible future focus of his operation. “The past couple of years the pecan market has been good and I like dealing with them,” Tyler said. “I find it fun and it’s not as strenuous as other aspects of the farm. I plan on the next several years keep planting more trees. This year we planted 550 more trees. Next year I’m planning on planting another 900. “Over the next 10 years I want to have around 5,000 to 6,000 pecan trees. They’ll start producing in 5-7 years and I can graze my cows under them and grow hay underneath them so that pecans can become my main crop.” Tyler is also adding pecan cleaning and sorting equipment to his operation, with plans to sell the nuts directly to pecan buyers. As long as demand for pecans remains strong, he says, this piece of the family’s operation could be what sustains the farm in the long term. In addition to raising their children and helping Tyler on the farm Randi works full time at Garland Equipment, a truck sales and repair dealership. She says their involvement in Farm Bureau and the relationships they have forged through the Young Farmers and Ranchers program have been significant. “We have grown to love and benefit from being involved in YF&R,” Randi says. “We get to see new places, meet people and make new friends. And as our children grow that’s what we need to look at is the next generation of farmers. Our kids have grown to love getting to go to our local YF&R events with other families.” Tyler and Randi, along with friends and farming neighbors Jeremy and Tracie Kitchens, organized the first 8
social YF&R event in the state five years ago. The couples have worked hard to make the events even more exciting since that time. “We’ve added bounce houses for the kids and this year had a big crawfish boil which was hosted by our friends Jeremy and Tracie (Kitchens). Our children are getting to grow up with other farm children and become friends and that’s a great benefit of YF&R.” Tyler said the crawfish boil attracted 81 young farmers and ranchers from across six southwest Arkansas counties and is evidence of the strength of the program in that part of the state. While in high school Tyler worked with his father and grandfather in the broiler business and helped with the cattle and hay production. In 2011, Tyler enrolled in dental school, but following a tragic family accident, he decided to return to farming and immediately bought the four broiler houses. The following year, he purchased his first herd of cattle and, then, when his grandfather retired in 2015, he partnered with his dad to buy the family farm. The McDonalds say they are humbled by the recognition the Achievement Award brings them, but realize that if they and their children are to have a future in agriculture, they must be proactive in advocating for their industry and give back to the organization. “It’s important for us as a grassroots organization because farmers need a voice,” Tyler said. “We work our way up to send our message to the state board, then on the national convention through policy we adopt on the county and state level. But it’s got to start here, with me.” * Arkansas Agriculture
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Michael & Lauren Lee: Young Farmers in a Changing World By Maddison Stewart
Y
oung farmers and ranchers are challenged to keep up with our evolving world. They have to produce safe food in an efficient way to feed the population, which is an enormous challenge in itself, but on top of that they have to find new and innovative ways to market themselves and their unique stories to consumers and their peers. The Lee family of Faulkner County, owners of Flying C Ranch, is just one Arkansas family taking these challenges head-on and proving that there is still hope for agriculture in a rapidly changing world. Michael Lee grew up on his family’s farm and developed a love for animals and large equipment. His wife, Lauren, is a fourth-generation farmer who was reconnected with her farming roots when she met Michael. The couple said they feel blessed to raise their two daughters, Mary Elliot and Adelaide Grace, in the farming lifestyle. Flying C Ranch consists of 1,000 acres, some of which is row crop land that is leased to other farmers to grow beans, wheat, rice and corn. The rest of the land is used for their commercial cow/calf operation that Michael operates. “We have a very diverse operation, but our bread and butter … our cow/ calf operation with emphasis on farmto-table,” he said. “We take our cattle from the pasture to the customer’s plate.” Herd size has been reduced over the past few years at Flying C Ranch to raise a more efficient herd. Michael said low-stress handling provides a better quality of product for the consumer. “While we raised our own cattle to feed beef to our family, our mindset began to shift as we considered our desire to take the product directly to Arkansas Agriculture
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Michael and Lauren Lee of Faulkner Co. were named the Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Ag Award winners at Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 70th Officers and Leaders Conference. ArFB President Randy Veach (left) and Vice President Rich Hillman (right) presented them with the award.
the consumer’s plate,” Michael said. “In 2014, we began to shift our program to a locally grown program. We began harvesting our animals at a local U.S. Department of Agriculture, inspected processing plant and selling individual cuts at the local farmers’ markets.” Today, consumers receive their news and food facts differently than years ago and from a variety of sources – television, documentaries and, perhaps most importantly, the internet. So, how does a local farmer market their product, or share their story? For Lauren, the ranch’s marketer, it’s an easy answer: Social media. She manages the farm’s website, and using social media as a tool to educate, promote efficiency and share the family’s story. “We can help one another through education and promoting the importance of managing your herd and forage to optimize better performance,” Lauren said. “We believe there is an opportunity to teach our peers to live off the land. As the local farmer, we still have an
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • SUMMER 2018
opportunity to tell our story and not be forgotten,” Lauren said. All of the work the Lees have put into Flying C Ranch is paying off. The family was recently recognized as the Arkansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Ag Award Winners. The award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture and Farm Bureau. “It means everything to us,” Michael said. “Farm Bureau gives us a great platform. We’re not only advocating for the greatest industry in the world, but we’re also educating people. This award means everything to us, and Farm Bureau has opened so many doors for us.” The Lees have taken the new technologies and trends of today’s world and turned them into beneficial tools for Flying C Ranch. They have a lot to be proud of, and Michael says he owes it all to his family. “I couldn’t have done it without Lauren and the kids.” * 9
Congratulations to the 2018 Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award Winner: Tyler and Randi McDonald (Lafayette County)
and Finalists:
David and Brittany Carwell (Cross County) • Chase and Krystal Groves (Miller County)
Congratulations to the 2018 Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award Winner: Michael and Lauren Lee (Faulkner County)
and Finalists:
Tyler E. Davis (Little River County) • Jared and Michelle Pass (Crawford County)
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A Burning
ISsue Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines by Keith Sutton
Photos by Keith Sutton
F
ire is a vital tool for Arkansas forest managers and farmers. Where trees and grasses are grown, planned burning can enhance wildlife habitat, improve wildfire safety, prepare sites for new seedling growth and more. Rice, wheat, soybean and corn growers use fire to manage crop residue, prepare ground for replanting and kill insects, weeds and diseases. About 300,000 acres (469 square miles) within our state are burned each year using prescribed fire, an area equal in size to New York City. Despite its value as an agricultural practice, prescribed burning attracts criticism because, when done under improper conditions, the smoke it produces can cause health problems for sensitive individuals. People also worry about associated environmental impacts. “This is an issue the ag industry as a whole has acknowledged and is working to address collectively,” said Jeff Rutledge, rice division chair for the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation (ArFB) and chairman of the Arkansas Rice Federation (ARF). “Field burning is part of a complete crop management strategy, and our growers want to ensure the continued quality of the air their families and neighbors breathe.”
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Smoke billows above a Clay County rice field as farmers burn away stubble. When producers follow the new voluntary smoke management guidelines available from the Arkansas Agriculture Department, prescribed burning causes fewer problems for people sensitive to smoke.
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A National Park Service wildfire specialist monitors a controlled burn. Safe and successful fire management programs have many elements that must all work together
That desire to conduct burns safely led the agricultural community to form the Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines Task Force earlier this year to determine ways farmers might willingly manage smoke issues. In addition to Arkansas Rice Federation and Arkansas Farm Bureau, stakeholders included the Arkansas Soybean Association and Ag Council of Arkansas, with representatives from the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Arkansas Forestry Commission, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality serving in an advisory capacity. The group’s efforts led to the development of crop-burning guidelines that help avoid the creation of hazardous conditions in smoke-sensitive areas. The strategies are based on earlier guidance created by the Arkansas Prescribed Fire Council for forest and land management.
Prescribed burns like this in Pulaski County benefit farmers by reducing crop residue, preparing ground for replanting and eliminating insects, weeds and disease.
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Arkansas Farm Bureau state board member Jon Carroll of Moro, a member of the task force, says, “We have issues that come up from people who have allergies to smoke, plus the possible danger of smoke getting across our highways or going into communities where there are nursing homes, schools and other smoke-sensitive places that can be affected. The task force laid out guidelines that ask farmers to call in voluntarily to report things like wind direction, the type of crop being burned and so forth. The farmers then will receive information on things like the humidity that day, wind speed and other factors, and learn what would be best to do in that situation. The goal is to keep all of this voluntary if possible, so farmers can do what they need to do without more regulations.” Dr. Warren A. Skaug, a pediatrician in Jonesboro who had noticed an increase in children with respiratory ailments in the fall, also worked with the task force to help establish the new guidelines. “I think the citizens of northeast Arkansas will be pleased with the work this task force has started,”
Dr. Skaug said in a January news release from ARF. “Their efforts are a step in the right direction, and I look forward to watching this initiative progress.” Both sets of guidelines — the original one produced for the forest industry and landowners, and the newer one for row-crop farmers — are available for viewing and download at www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/ arkansas-voluntary-smoke-management-guidelines. Everyone in the state who uses prescribed burning in any way is encouraged to read the documents before burning and to follow all the procedures outlined within. “Through science, collaboration and a dedication from Arkansas producers and landowners to keep our landscape and air quality healthy, prescribed fire will be used for many years to come as a valuable management tool for our farmers, forest landowners and statewide agricultural, conservation and forestry agencies,” said Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward. “Following the Smoke Management Guidelines benefits managers of all agricultural burning and helps us remain good partners to residents.” *
From the safety of his tractor, a farmer monitors a still-burning field near DeWitt to be sure the blaze doesn’t get out of control. Many steps must be followed to assure the safety of prescribed burns like this.
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BEFORE YOU BURN DO...
Complete Safe Burning Checklist before you burn. See back page for checklist. Report your crop burn to the Arkansas Agriculture Department Dispatch Center at 1-800-830-8015.
DO NOT... DO NOT BURN if winds exceed 15 mph. DO NOT BURN if humidity is below 20%. DO NOT BURN when the wind direction could send smoke directly into roadways or communities. DO NOT
Determine Category Day Category Day – a scale from 1 to 5 based on transport wind speed and mixing height. For smoke dispersal, 1 is poor and 5 is excellent. The category day classification can be obtained from the Arkansas Agriculture Department Dispatch Center or National Weather Service at http://www.weather.gov/lzk/forest2.htm. Inversion – increase of temperature with height in the atmosphere. This condition often exists in the morning and prevents smoke from rising into the atmosphere.
Category Day Burning Guidelines
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CATEGORY DAY
BURNING GUIDELINES
1
Daytime burning only, between 11 AM and 4 PM, maximum of 100 acres, and not before surface inversion has lifted. No burning of heavy fuel loads.
2
No burning until 11 AM and not before surface inversion has lifted. Burning should be substantially over by 4 PM.
3
Burn only after surface inversion has lifted.
4
Burn anytime.
5
“Unstable” and windy. Excellent smoke dispersal. Burn with caution.
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Congratulations
2018
Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement & Excellence in Agricuture Nominees & Winners From Publishing Concepts, Inc.
pcipublishing.com
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OPTIMIZING WITH EQIP By Will Hehemann,
UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries & Human Sciences Contact Will at hehemannw@uapb.edu Photos courtesy of UAPB
I
f you’re a small farmer in Arkansas and you want to take your business from good to great, EQIP could be the answer. Cost-share assistance funded through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) can go a long way to improving the farm operations of small producers in Arkansas, says Dr. Henry English, head of the Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. English said EQIP provides financial assistance to help producers install conservation practices in areas such as improving irrigation efficiency, promoting soil health or restoring pastureland on their farm or ranch.
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“EQIP funds allow farmers to make important changes to their land that could otherwise be financially infeasible,” he said. “Improvements offered through the program range from the addition of wells for irrigation and watering livestock, underground pipelines or cross fencing, to the implementation of organic pest and weed management practices. The broad possibilities all depend on a farmer’s individual goals and the willingness to improve the sustainability of a piece of land.” Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), EQIP enables producers to implement structural, vegetative or management practices that
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Thanks to enrollment in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Howard Brown can make continuous improvements to his cattle operation. The CSP provides funding in five-year increments to producers to maintain their conservation practices and to add other enhancements to their operation.
improve natural resources at the farm level. NRCS provides financial cost-share and technical assistance to help producers improve the efficiency of their operations on eligible land including cropland, rangeland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland and other farm or ranch lands. EQIP often shares up to 90 percent of project costs for conservation practices implemented by socially disadvantaged, limited-resource, beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers, English said. These producers are also eligible to receive up to 50 percent advance payment for purchasing materials or contracting services to begin the installation of approved conservation practices.
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“The Small Farm Program at UAPB works with small producers in Arkansas to understand their operations, short and long terms goals and areas for improvement on their land,” he said. “We then connect the farmers with local NRCS personnel who can assist in applying for EQIP funds.” In February 2017, the UAPB Small Farm Program won the NRCS Partnership Award for its role in increasing the participation rate of historically underserved producers in conservation programs by almost 70 percent in the last five years. During this time, the program has helped these producers obtain over $6 million in funding to enhance their farm operations.
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Sarah Butler received an EQIP contract to implement a rotational grazing program and reduce sediment and nutrient runoff on her 40-acre farm. She says the improved pastureland has put more weight on her cattle, which helps supplement her income.
“The feedback we have received from small producers in Arkansas has been very positive,” English said. “In several cases, the funding they received allowed them to take on new projects and increase their profitability.” Improving pastureland in Chicot County Sarah Butler, 89, raises cattle, chickens, ducks, turkeys and rabbits on the 40-acre Chicot County farm she has managed since 1989. When she met with an Extension agent from the Small Farm Program, she asked about ways to improve the surface quality of her pastureland and livestock watering facilities. Butler received an EQIP contract for a number of conservation practices that will improve the state of her farm. First, she was able to implement a rotational grazing program between the different fields on her farm to maximize livestock production and reduce sediment and nutrient runoff. EQIP funding also covered the cost of new irrigation facilities, including a well, trough and underground piping. NRCS heavy-use-area protection was put in place to stabilize the ground surfaces around the water facilities that are frequently used by livestock. Additionally, Butler received funding for cross fencing and cover for a new access road.
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“Without the NRCS cost-share program, I would not have been able to do these projects,” she said. “This program has improved my pastureland and will help put more weight on my cattle, which will supplement my income.” Thanks to the conservation practices Butler implemented on her land, she was able to enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which encourages farmers to continue making goals to improve the condition of their land. She will be receiving annual CSP payments for the next five years. Arkansas newcomers start organic farm with EQIP funds When Kenneth and Jacqueline Carswell moved to Sulphur Springs from Florida, they were unsure of how to accomplish the shared goal of developing their newly purchased land into an organic farm. By chance, Kenneth Carswell met Dameion White, Extension associate with the Small Farm Program, on a field trip with the Arkansas Master Gardeners Program. “Not knowing that Dameion was an Extension associate for UAPB, I began telling him about my difficulties trying to get help in developing our land into a farm,” Carswell said. “Dameion took time out of his
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schedule to explain his position, agriculture as it relates to Jefferson County and the purpose of the Small Farm Program.” Carswell explained his goal of founding an organic farm that relies on preventative practices for weed, insect and disease problems and improves the natural resources of the land, including soil and water quality. “Dameion elaborated on all the programs that are available to assist us in this process and provided step-by-step instructions to register my farm with the Farm Service Agency and then apply for assistance with the NRCS for help in developing the land into a farm,” he said. “Since meeting with Dameion, my family has received over $40,000 in funds from the EQIP program to improve our operation through conservation practices.”
Conservation practices such as the planting of forage and biomass, pasture development, establishment of a pond, fence installation and the development of a rotational grazing program helped prepare Carswell’s land for livestock production. Other preparations for his woodland included the installation of firebreak, riparian buffers and stream crossings, as well as the introduction of pollinators and development of an integrated pest management system and forestry plan. After transforming their land through EQIP funds, the Carswells named their operation “Peaceful Pines Farm.” They currently raise goats, chickens, fruit and vegetables and timber. “Our dream of establishing an organic farm together would not have been possible without the help of the Small Farm Program,” he said.
EQIP funding allowed Kenneth and Jacqueline Carswell to accomplish their goal of developing newly-purchased land into an organic farm. The conservation practices they implemented, which included pasture development, establishment of a pond, fence installation and the development of a rotational grazing program, helped prepare the land for livestock production. From left: Keith, the Carswells’ son, Jacqueline and Kenneth Carswell.
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Keeping the family farm in business L.B. Taylor, Jr. continues a family legacy of farming on his land in Bradley. For 10 years, he has owned the William Taylor Farm, which was originally purchased by his grandfather and later inherited by his father, L.B. Taylor. The feat of managing over 30 cows and their calves proved challenging as the farm’s ponds started to dry up and the quality of the pastureland began to degrade. Taylor decided to seek the advice of Extension associates at the Small Farm Program to determine the feasibility of revitalizing the farm’s pastureland and irrigation facilities. “If it were not for some of the EQIP assistance provided, I would have decided to stop farming years ago,” he said. “Since applying for assistance, I have received thousands of dollars in cost-share assistance through EQIP and CSP, as well as farm operation loans to help in restoring my pastureland.” Through EQIP funds, Taylor was able to build new water facilities, install heavy-use-area protection around watering tanks and gated access and received recommendations on weed control. “This program has provided great opportunities, and I have made sure to share my experience with local farmers and others from various states,” he said. “I encourage them all to seek assistance when needed, as there are programs out there that can significantly improve their farm operations.” Enhancing a cattle farm through the Conservation Stewardship Plan Since 1980, Howard Brown has raised cattle and grown hay on his farm in Chicot County. Thanks to his enrollment in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), he can make continuous improvements to his cattle operation. The CSP provides funding in five-year increments to producers to maintain their conservation practices and to add other enhancements to their operation. Brown has participated in the program five times and recently signed up for CSP funding for another five years. “Most recently, CSP funds have helped improve my pasture with the addition of water traps and plants to attract pollinators,” he said. “Other EQIP funds allowed me to implement rotational grazing, add water lines and plant grass seeds in the pasture.” With an EQIP contract, Brown also installed
a water trough for his cattle after the pasture was divided into multiple sections with cross fencing. He then added a well and underground water lines to supply water to the trough. After installing the new irrigation equipment, he implemented heavy use area protections by placing gravel around the water trough to prevent erosion and the buildup of a muddy area due to increased hoof traffic in the area. *
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L.B. Taylor, Jr. used EQIP cost-share assistance to help restore pastureland on his family farm, which was originally purchased by his grandfather and later inherited by his father.
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PolicyUPDATE Michelle coordinates the policy development process for Arkansas Farm Bureau and regularly updates the membership on legislative and regulatory issues. She grew up on a cattle and poultry farm in southwest Arkansas and earned a degree in communication management from Harding University.
By Michelle Kitchens, Assistant Director, ArFB Public Affairs & Government Relations Arkansas Agriculture Department In July, Governor Hutchinson unveiled his proposed changes to the Arkansas Agriculture Department. The governor has asked for Farm Bureau’s support of the transformation plan. In a handout distributed at our Officers’ and Leaders’ conference, the governor outlined five principles in his plan: The regulatory functions of Arkansas agriculture would not change. Special revenues would remain the same. All employees of the Plant Board, Livestock and Poultry Commission and the Forestry Commission would report to the Department of Agriculture and would implement the regulations of the independent boards and commissions. There would be no changes in the administration of research and promotion boards Agriculture would be represented on the Pollution Control and Ecology Commission. Arkansas Farm Bureau has current policy that supports part of these initiatives and opposes others. Our policy review process for 2019 is underway. We have asked our membership to consider all these principles and give clear direction to Farm Bureau. If you want to weigh in on this or any other agriculture issues, our process begins with the county Farm Bureau boards of directors. Farm Bill In Washington, D.C., Congress is finalizing the next Farm Bill. It is very possible the conference committee will have a final bill ready for a vote by the time this magazine is published. Arkansas’ Sen. John Boozman, Rep. Bruce Westerman and Rep. Rick Crawford were all named to the conference committee and are well positioned to advocate for the state’s agriculture interests in the final draft. Our staff are in regular communication with the congressional offices about our positions on the omnibus legislation. A summary of the legislation with a side-by-side House vs. Senate comparison and Farm Bureau’s positions on each provision can be found on www.fb.org. Trade The U.S. in recent months has imposed tariffs on $79 billion of goods and services and proposed additional tariffs on $702 billion of other foreign products, to encourage key trading partners to resolve long standing trade issues that exist. China and other countries have retaliated with tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of U.S.
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farm products. Many farmers and ranchers support the intent, if not the method, of the dispute — to create a more - level playing field for the U.S. However, hurting agricultural exports by engaging in a trade war threatens an area where the U.S. has a trade surplus. We are asking farmers to reach out to their members of Congress during the August recess and prior to the election and stress a quick resolution to the trade conflicts, an agriculture positive NAFTA rewrite and continued negotiations of new agreements. Agriculture cannot withstand a prolonged trade war. We encourage our members to attend town hall meetings, write op-eds and use your social media to share a pro-trade message. Use a personal message. Share numbers (we are happy to provide.) Be respectful and always follow-up. Election Election Day is less than 100 days away. It appears at least one citizen signature-driven initiative will appear on the November ballot. It will severely regress term limits in the state and negatively impact state government for decades. Arkansas’ current term limit law, (yes Arkansas has term limits now) allows legislators to serve 16 years. It is a reasonable amount of time to become competent but not make it a career. The proposed ballot item would limit legislators to 10 years but with even more restrictive limits in each chamber. More than 80 percent of the legislators would term out within four years. If you like your state legislator, you should NOT vote for this amendment. This will NOT establish term limits for members of Congress or the governor. This amendment will NOT eliminate corruption, in fact all legislators currently under investigation have left the General Assembly or are not running for re-election. This amendment WILL give more power to special interest groups and lobbyists, not necessarily Farm Bureau, bureaucrats and the governor’s office. This amendment WILL disadvantage rural Arkansas. The greater the distance a district is from the Capitol and the more rural the district, usually less citizens are willing or able to serve in the state legislature. No one would run their business with mandated 80 percent turnover, we shouldn’t seek to capsize state leadership that way. Arkansas Farm Bureau opposes the amendment and urges our members to vote no. *
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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • SUMMER 2018
On the Ag Recruiting Trail No one will outwork Dean Deacue Fields By Gregg Patterson
Photo courtesy of Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences
T
he excitement has been palpable since Dec.6. That’s when the University of Arkansas Razorbacks hired Chad Morris as its new head football coach. However, that excitement actually began hours earlier at the university when it announced the hiring of a new “head coach” for the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences, filling the position of dean of the college with Deacue Fields. The Fields announcement included a photograph of the new dean. One could easily confuse the 47-yearold Fields for a football coach. His facial features look chiseled from granite, and his physique is powerful like the football player and rodeo roper he once was. And like a good football coach, he’s all about recruiting. He’s ready to bring more ag students to Bumpers College and his heart, mind and passion are inextricably tied to those students. Fields grew up in Wimmsboro Louisiana and is all about agriculture. He was involved with 4-H and the National FFA organization. As a 14-year-old, he secured a $3,000 Farm Service Agency youth loan and started a cattle herd. His father was his adviser but let Deacue run the show. He bought six heifers and leased a bull. He began showing his animals and selling them to other youngsters wanting to show steers. He won a grand champion and paid off the loan before it was due. “I would drive to the farm every day as soon as I got off from school,” Fields recalled. “If I wasn’t at football practice, I’d go home and then head to the farm.” Fields learned the value of hard work and developed a strong work ethic. “If you have a task to do on the farm, you’ve got to get it done. I can recall being out at three in the morning trying to get hay bales out of the field,” he said. The task in front of him now is much like that of a head football coach. Developing a consistently successful program is all about recruiting. In this case, it’s about recruiting ag students to the University of Arkansas. And he knows exactly what kind of student he wants. “Recruiting and training quality students is extremely important. For me, it’s not about the highest ACT score. If I had to say what the profile of the kind of student I’m looking for is, I’m looking for a student with a decent ACT score, like a 24 or a 25, along with a good GPA and a strong work ethic. Somebody who will work
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Recruiting quality students is important to Fields. “We’re getting out-recruited by other universities,” he says, adding this will change because, “I’m very competitive. I like to win.”
hard,” Fields said. “And why am I looking for that kind of student? Because that was actually who I was. I didn’t have the highest ACT score and had a decent GPA. But I’d challenge any student on campus to outwork me. I think that is what’s important when we’re looking at attracting students.” He’s not afraid to give a chance to a hard-working student on the fringe. “I want to be able to find those folks on the fringe, who we can create the environment for them to succeed,” Fields said. “They wind up being your best alums. I don’t care what anybody says, because they appreciate the opportunity. ‘Give me a chance, and let me show you’.” Fields’ education is as an ag economist. The hardwork ethic learned on the farm led him to earn a bachelor’s degree at Southern University in Baton Rouge, a master’s degree from the University of Missouri and a doctorate degree from Louisiana State University. He possesses the necessary combination for this job of being book smart and “farm wise.” Also, Fields has a plan. First, he wants to broaden the area where the university’s ag students come from. There are 2,300 students in Bumpers College. Of those, 1,280 are from in-state, and 54 percent come from only three counties (Pulaski, Washington and Benton).
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“We’re getting out-recruited by other universities,” Fields plainly stated. He says that has to change. “I’m very competitive. I like to win.” He also says many of the students who do come aren’t from a farm background. “A large percentage (of ag students) are not coming from the farm. And we’re losing a lot of the farm kids to other majors,” he said. “Right now, I just don’t feel like the Bumpers College, itself, has enough students from that overall production agriculture background. It’s very important that we have a strong representation of students who understand the practical aspects of agriculture. We have to be very strategic and intentional in actually recruiting those students.” However, Fields believes Arkansas already possesses a strong pipeline to feed ag talent to the university. “We’re unique in that we have 4-H in every county in the state and 143,000 4-H’ers across the state of Arkansas,” Fields said. He says that gives Bumpers College a strategic advantage over any other major area of study the university offers. “We want to embrace that and look at how we attract that student.” His recruitment strategy is what he calls the “cohort model.” It’s based on local community partnerships that help recruit a few students from numerous individual areas throughout the state to attend Bumpers College. Over time, those strong partnerships and students, in turn, attract more students from the targeted individual areas to enroll in the school. It’s an ag-focused academic feeder pipeline, so to speak. He also believes Bumpers College is a good place to learn. “We have a family environment now,” Fields said. He thinks it’s a great atmosphere for professors and
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students to interact. “That’s a good strength. As we recruit students who are from other parts of the state, we have to create an environment and culture where they feel welcome, and they can excel.” There’s certainly a buzz of excitement on the hill at the University of Arkansas, and it’s not just from the Razorbacks’ new football coach. Dean Deacue Fields wants to be the best.
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • SUMMER 2018
He’s suited up and is hard at work on his version of the recruiting trail. “I want your children and your grandchildren,” Fields said. “When you start thinking about where you should send your kid for a quality education in agriculture, I want it to go without saying that it’s the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences.” *
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Ag LawUPDATE Harrison M. Pittman is director of the National Agricultural Law Center, which serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The Center deals with legal issues around the country that impact agriculture at the state and federal levels.
by Harrison Pittman, Director, National Agricultural Law Center University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture
Ag Trade It’s no secret that the success of the agricultural industry in Arkansas and beyond depends heavily on a steady, reliable level of access to foreign markets for beef, rice, soybeans, poultry, and many other commodities. It’s also no secret that the agricultural industry is experiencing unprecedented uncertainty over how available those markets will be for the foreseeable months, or even years. For example, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada continue to work towards a renegotiation of NAFTA with the potential remaining for the U.S. to withdraw from NAFTA. Recent news suggests some progress between U.S. and Mexico regarding the renegotiation of NAFTA, but the outcome, and the timeline of that outcome, as well as Congress’s ultimate reaction to a renegotiated NAFTA remains uncertain. Additionally, the U.S. and China, as well as the EU, continue to threaten higher tariffs on one another on a widening range of products, with agriculture caught in the crosshairs. To help alleviate the financial pain caused thus far, the Administration recently announced $12 billion dollars in relief for agricultural producers. For better or worse, the future of agriculture in Arkansas and the nation will be significantly impacted by the manner in which these and other trade issues – i.e., Cuba, whether the U.S. will enter the “new” TPP after all, new talks with the EU, and World Trade Organization litigation – are resolved. 2018 Farm Bill Most provisions of 2014 Farm Bill expire September 30, and Congress has made considerable progress towards enacting replacement legislation. Yet, much work remains to be done. On June 21, the U.S. very narrowly passed its version of the 2018 Farm Bill. Just one week later, the U.S. Senate passed, with a very wide margin of victory, its version of the Farm Bill. There are sharp differences between the two bills that must be addressed in order to enact a new Farm Bill. The next procedural step is for the Farm Bill conferees to go to conference, where those conferees will reconcile both versions into a single Conference Report that can be voted on in both chambers. As noted, there are significant differences to be worked 32
out, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has announced the very ambitious goal of developing the Conference Report “shortly” after Labor Day. Technically, this deadline is possible, but meeting it will require the conferees to quickly compromise on significant issues and to do so in a way that can receive a favorable vote in both chambers of Congress. Arkansas Senator John Boozman is one of nine Senate conferees, while Representatives Bruce Westerman and Rick Crawford are among those appointed as House conferees. Nuisance Lawsuits Another noteworthy issue to pay attention to are the recent court decisions in North Carolina involving nuisance actions against hog operations. Over the past year, more than two dozen nuisance lawsuits were filed against the pork production division of Smithfield Foods, alleging that Smithfield is liable for nuisance created by the various hog operations. Three of the twenty-six lawsuits have been tried so far, and the plaintiffs have been victorious in each. On August 3, the jury in the third case awarded $473.5 million to the six plaintiffs, which is the highest verdict awarded yet in these cases. The award includes three to five million dollars to each of the six plaintiffs for compensatory damages and another $75 million to each plaintiff in punitive damages. North Carolina law will reduce the amount awarded by the jury to $94 million, which is still a startling figure. Smithfield immediately indicated it will appeal the decision. * Arkansas Agriculture
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PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LITTLE ROCK, AR PERMIT NO. 1884