Front Porch Magazine | Fall 2021

FALL 2021

Reign of the

Pumpkin King Plus,

Tax Trouble for Family Farms Nice Rice Dishes for Fall

Glen WIlliams Front Porch 2021.pdf

1

9/23/21

1:52 PM

Connecting Resources for Good Community leaders like Glenn Williams of Carroll County realize the importance of local relationships and connecting resources. To ensure their mission would continue forever, Glenn helped a local nonprofit create an endowment with Arkansas Community Foundation.

C

M

Y

You have a strong connection to your community. The Community Foundation can help you create an endowment that impacts your community forever or a fund that meets immediate needs using a simple, flexible and efficient process. To learn more, contact Foundation staff today.

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Contact our staff at

arcf.org

Front Porch

|

501-372-1116

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

1

10 CONTENT

Farm Bureau Matters Rich Hillman

Helping Farmers, Helping You Warren Carter

Notice of Annual Meeting The Pumpkin King Rob Anderson

3 7 8 10

Death and Taxes

16

Rural Road Stories

20

Taste Arkansas

28

Member Services Update

32

Delta Child

34

Dwain Hebda

Zoie Clift

Rob Anderson & Ashley Wallace Autumn Wood

Talya Tate Boerner

16

20

Cover design by Bryan Pistole

2

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

FARM BUREAU MATTERS

with Rich Hillman

ARFB PRESIDENT

Sounding the Horn

I

write this article today with great consternation. I am troubled by some legal maneuvering I never thought possible in the natural state of Arkansas. A politically motivated, personal-attack lawsuit filed by an out-of-state group against an Arkansas legislator and her husband has brought an unprecedented low in our state.

This lawsuit was filed by a non-profit outfit from California, a group whose name I will not mention, because I refuse to provide any free publicity. They are just a pawn for others who want to force their politics and beliefs on all of us. The legislator who has been targeted by this attack group is DeAnn Vaught and her husband Jon, who operate a dairy and swine farm in southwest Arkansas. DeAnn is the chairwoman of the Arkansas House of Representatives Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development Committee and has led that group with passion, integrity, and distinction. Back in 2017, DeAnn introduced legislation that protected farmers and ranchers from covert surveillance and restricted unauthorized access to a farmer’s property. She ran that legislation with wide support from many agriculture groups, including the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation.

Now, sadly, she and her family are having to deal with legal proceedings by some out-of-state animal activist group that wants to control the narrative of raising livestock in America. It appears their main objective is to vilify the consumption of meat and force the American public to eat what they say to eat. That, as you guessed it, doesn’t include a cheeseburger, hotdog, or your children’s or grandchildren’s chicken nuggets. The lawsuit was initially thrown out and ruled void by a judge in Arkansas but was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals in St. Louis.

That court sided with the plaintiffs, on a procedural issue, so the lawsuit is still pending.

This leads me back to my first thought: how can this happen in my home state? Arkansas – where we have some of the greatest livestock producers in the nation – is proud to feed people throughout the world. Our great state has (unarguably) the best poultry companies on the face of the earth. The same small, great state is home to some of the titans of the business world. How could this out-of-state activist group come in here and unapologetically bully, through the courts, a family farm because one member of the family has chosen to serve her community and farmers and ranchers as an elected official?

I’m certainly no legal scholar, but I had a belief that an elected official had certain legal protection, especially when they are voting on or authoring laws for the people of our state. In the past, if a group or individual felt like the laws enacted through our due process of legislating were unlawful or unconstitutional, they could file suit against the legislation or law.

But I never thought they could file suit against the duly elected official personally, especially when the legislator has done nothing to violate the law.

If this sort of legal scheme is allowed, then EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL could be the next target in the sights of activist groups all over our nation. This could be a terrible precedent set in Arkansas, where we call the Hogs, where we have county fairs, and where our economy is based and led by agriculture. This will affect business and commerce not just in our state, but in our nation.

Rep. Vaught and her husband – and their family farm – are in the crosshairs of an unfair lawsuit because she ran legislation to protect the farms and ranches in this great state. I implore all legislators, no matter what party, no matter what district or county, to get involved. I would ask all the elected officials – county judges, quorum court members, sheriffs, city council members, everybody – to get involved. If this lawsuit is allowed to continue,

Rep. Vaught and her husband – and their family farm – are in the crosshairs of an

unfair lawsuit because she ran legislation

to protect the farms and ranches in this great state.

continued on page 5>>

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

3

Porch Front

Official membership publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation mailed to almost 190,000 member-families.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Included in membership dues ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU OFFICERS:

President • Rich Hillman, Carlisle Vice President • Mike Freeze, Little Rock Secretary/Treasurer • Dan Wright, Waldron Executive Vice President • Warren Carter, Little Rock DIRECTORS:

Jon Carroll, Moro Joe Christian, Jonesboro Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart Jack Evans, Lonoke Sherry Felts, Joiner Chase Groves, Garland City Tom Jones, Pottsville Terry Laster, Strong Gene Pharr, Lincoln Caleb Plyler, Hope Rusty Smith, Des Arc Joe Thrash, Houston EX OFFICIO

Magen Allen, Bismarck Dustin Cowell, Mount Judea Kerry Stiles, Marianna Reed Storey, Marvell Executive Editor • Steve Eddington Editor • Rob Anderson Contributing Writers • Ashley Wallace, Keith Sutton

CREATED BY PUBLISHING CONCEPTS, INC

David Brown, President dbrown@pcipublishing.com (501) 221-9986 ext. 103 Fax (501) 225-3735 ADVERTISING

Contact Paula Caruthers at Publishing Concepts for advertising rates pcaruthers@pcipublishing.com (501) 221-9986, Ext. 109 Fax (501) 225-3735 Front Porch (USPS 019-879) is published quarterly by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation 10720 Kanis Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211 Periodicals Postage paid at Little Rock, AR POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Rhonda Whitley at rhonda.whitley@arfb.com Front Porch • P.O. Box 31 • Little Rock, AR 72203 Please provide membership number Issue #121 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.

4

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

<<continued from page 3

then who is safe from these new tactics of the activist community? What will keep personal lawsuits from being filed against any of our government officials, just because they voted for or against legislation that these activist groups don’t agree with? These suits could financially ruin the individuals sued. No legislator, no elected official, no farm, no business, will be immune to this threat.

Think about that, a legislator could run a bill and get a resounding vote of approval and pass a bill that’s good for the people in our state, and before the ink dries, an activist group from California files suit against them personally. Slowly, quietly, in our courts, and appeal after appeal to get the suit to an out-of-state court, the legislator could spend thousands of dollars of their family’s savings just to defend themselves.

This legal tactic could change the face of our state government. Frankly, it could change the face of our state. We all understand that politics is as divisive as ever, especially on the national level. But, I remind each of you, that we still live in the greatest country on earth, even with the warts, scars and problems.

When our state is being picked on I get upset. When a hardworking farming family is being picked on, I feel the need to sound the proverbial horn for support. If we

let this lawsuit stand, then our state will fail, not just the Vaughts, not just agriculture, but our whole state will be held hostage to these tactics in the future.

I’m also sounding the horn to you, a private citizen.

Whether you are a farmer, a doctor, a banker, or a factory worker, this could affect all of us and our way of life in Arkansas. We will always have healthy debate over legislation that is in front of lawmakers at the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C. But if that debate is overshadowed by a threat of personal retribution and lawsuits brought on by special interest, then where are we as a state, our great state of Arkansas? You, as a voter and a citizen of Arkansas, elect men and women to represent you and your rights. Sometimes we all must roll up our sleeves and get involved.

If you’d like to help this fight, you can donate to the Vaught’s legal fund by scanning the code below with the camera on your smartphone. You can also mail a check payable to Vaught Legal Defense Fund to Horatio State Bank, P.O. Box 347, Horatio, AR 71842.

In order to comply with state ethics laws, donations may not exceed $50. •

DON’T DREAM IT, BUILD IT! Metal Fabrication Metal Building Kits Metal Building Framing Carport Kits Insulation & Components

12 LOCATIONS IN ARKANSAS Batesville 1227 Batesville Blvd

Greenbrier 1393 Hwy 65

Jonesboro 6207 Hwy 1 S

Russellville 3315 C St

Bryant 22136 I-30

Heber Springs 2114 Hwy 25 B

Mayflower 572 Hwy 365 S

Searcy 1520 E. Booth Rd

Fort Smith 8601 Hwy 271 S

Jacksonville 6107 John Harden Dr

Pine Bluff 3414 US 65 S

Steprock 4061 Hwy 157

METALROOFINGSUPPLY.ORG Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

5

You Deserve More.

You Deserve a Promise.

For over 70 years Farm Bureau® Insurance’s commitment to our customers has never wavered. In that time, local agents and adjusters have served communities all over Arkansas with home and auto insurance, and more.

We believe that your family is part of our family. And protecting families has always been our pledge. Talk with your local agent to learn more about the Farm Bureau Promise.

Real Service. Real People.

®

afbic.com

HELPING FARMERS, HELPING YOU

with Warren Carter ARFB EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Building Better Connections

A

rkansas needs more access. Did you have trouble getting online this morning for news or email? Do you have to make trips to coffee shops or fast-food restaurants to get good WiFi? If so, it’s because access to high-speed broadband remains an issue in our state, which ranks just 48th in the country in broadband coverage. It’s also why one of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s priorities remains expanding connectivity to every part of the state, giving rural areas and those in our agricultural industry access to the technology that will keep us growing and competitive in a modern, global economy.

Reliable, high-speed connectivity is something our members have repeatedly told us is a priority, via our annual grassroots policy development process. It has become clear that connectivity is key for all of our communities, not just the more populous counties and cities, and it’s essential for everything from education and business to personal communication and healthcare.

I’ve written a lot in this column previously about preparing for the future and this issue is not only about that, but also about catching up with the needs of “the now.” Modern farming technology, business communication, distance education and healthcare all require high-speed access now, and this need will only grow in the years to come. That’s why we felt the need to host our inaugural “Connectivity Summit” in September, featuring speakers such as Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Congressman French Hill, Joseph Sanford, director of the UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation, and, perhaps most notably, Commissioner Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission.

The Connectivity Summit lived up to its name, as attendees – business leaders, service providers, local leaders and elected officials – made connections with each other and with those who could answer questions, offer potential solutions and help advance the cause of better broadband and mobile service in the state. After the speakers, the Agriculture and Education Committees of the Arkansas House and Senate, met on site to hear more about the issue from leaders of successful connectivity initiatives in Missouri and Mississippi.

Coming out of the Summit, Gov. Hutchinson announced plans to put $250 million from federal relief funds toward broadband expansion and the state set aside $4 million to bring in a consulting firm to assist in the development of a master plan for broadband development. Since that time, much more has happened, and Arkansas Farm Bureau has been actively involved in almost all of it.

Broadband Development Group was selected by the state to serve as the broadband master plan consultant. The company’s leadership reached out to Farm Bureau to assist with their effort to schedule meetings in every county about local broadband needs and we have worked with them to help them connect with our members, including inviting them to present at annual meetings. We’ve also been working with Connectivity Summit speaker Angie Cooper of the Bentonville-based nonprofit Heartland Forward to build a coalition of broadband stakeholders around the state who can continue the push and ensure that no community is left behind.

These are all positive steps, but there remains much to do. We are already planning for a second Connectivity Summit in 2022 and we will include a

Reliable, high-speed

connectivity is something our members have

repeatedly told us is a

priority, via our annual grassroots policy

development process.

continued on page 8>>

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

7

<<continued from page 7

broadband workshop at our annual convention in Little Rock this December. We are also staying in touch with Commissioner Carr and the FCC about updated broadband coverage maps that are expected to be released next spring.

As with our ongoing work in education, these efforts to build broadband access and connectivity in Arkansas are about planting the seeds of a brighter future in our state and for our industry. We will continue to do our part to address this important issue and we will continue to listen to our members

U. S. Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (Required by 39 U.S.C.3685). 1. Publication title: Front Porch. 2.

Publication number:01-9879. 3. Filing date: 10-8-21. 4.

Issue frequency: Quarterly. 5. No. of issues published annually: Four. 6. Annual Subscription Price: $0. 7.

Complete mailing address of known office of publication: Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, 10720 Kanis Road, Little Rock, AR 72211. 8. Complete mailing address of headquarters of General Business office of Publisher: Same as #7. 9. Full names and complete mailing address of Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor: Publisher, Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation; Executive Editor, Steve Eddington; Editor, Rob Anderson. All addresses same as #7. 10. Owner: Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, 1l. Bondholders, Mortgages and other Security Holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: None. 12. Tax Status: unchanged. 13. Publication title: Front Porch.

14. Issue date for Circulation date: Fall 2021. 15. Extent and nature of circulation: Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 140,385 Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 99,705.

15a. Total no. of copies net press run average each issue 140,385 (issued published nearest to filing date 99,705).

15b. Paid/Requested outside-county mail subscription: 1,865 (most recent 424). 15c. Total paid and/or requested circulation: 140,385 (most recent 99,705). 15d. e. Not Applicable. 15f. Total Distribution: 140,385 (most recent 99,705).15g. Copies not distributed 17 (most recent 22).

15h. Total: 140,402 (most recent 99,727). 15i. Percent paid: 100%. 16. Statement of ownership will be printed in the Fall 2021 issue of the publication. 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager or Owner: Rob Anderson, Editor

8

when they tell us what matters to them. Hopefully, in the near future, they will be able to provide feedback and share their thoughts through faster and more reliable internet and phone connections.

To stay on top of this and other key issues, I encourage you to sign up for regular Arkansas Farm Bureau Issue Alerts at https://bit.ly/IssueAlert or by scanning this code with your smart phone camera: •

Notice of Annual Meeting of the members of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

N

otice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the voting delegates elected by the members of the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation will be at 8 a.m., Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. Due to the continuing health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, delegates will be provided an option to participate in the meeting virtually.

The purpose of this meeting is to elect a Board of Directors for the ensuing year and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Warren Carter Executive Vice President

of the members of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc.

N

otice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the members of the Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc. will be at 12:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in the Arkansas Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel in downtown Little Rock.

The purpose of this meeting is to elect a Board of Directors for the ensuing year and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Kevin McKenzie EVP-General Manager

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

The

PUMPKIN KING BUSTER PASSMORE LOVES GARDENING,

AND HE KNOWS HOW TO GROW (AND WIN) BIG Story by Rob Anderson Photos by Jenny Higgs

10

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

C

hampion pumpkin-grower Mark “Buster” Passmore is on the move the day we visited his farm. He usually is.

Walking past some darting chickens and a series of tomato plants, he turns around and thrusts a dry corn stalk “sword” into the air triumphantly. The garden is his kingdom and he’s ready to defend it.

Actually, Buster is ready to talk about his garden, not defend it. The sword is just for fun, and Buster likes to have some fun while he works. At 12 (quickly approaching 13), fun is still important to him and growing things is what brings him the most joy. Some kids play games when they get home from school, but for Buster, pumpkins beat PlayStation every time.

This has been true for most of Buster’s young life.

“When I was about 3, I really loved to play in the mud,” he says. “Then, one day, I saw an ad for St. Jude and I thought, ‘Those kids need help’ and, three years later, I got into gardening and raised about $300 for St. Jude.”

In other words, a desire to make a difference for children fighting cancer at the well-known Memphis research hospital sent Buster back to the mud around the age of 6 to grow and sell vegetables as a fundraiser. Since then, he’s remained dedicated to both gardening and his chosen cause.

Buster first maintained a small garden when he and his father (also named Mark) lived in Jonesboro, but he expanded to a much larger garden at a home they moved to in Paragould. “That entire yard was a garden,” says Mark. “There was no grass in it at all. The only thing that wasn’t garden was at the end of our driveway where he had a sandbox.”

Buster tried his hand at tomatoes (“They’re pretty easy to grow,” he says), peppers and watermelons and he still grows these, but quickly honed in on pumpkins as his garden favorite. “At first, I just wanted to grow a pumpkin and decorate it. Then Dad introduced me to 4-H and I kind of got big into the 4-H pumpkin contest.”

He grew his first, small pumpkin in 2012 in Jonesboro and soon he and his father were entering his pumpkins in county fair and district fair contests, where he first garnered attention and even support.

“He wasn’t in 4-H when he grew one out of the package that was about 100 pounds,” says Mark. “That’s when Dave Freeze, our county extension agent, took notice of Buster and he really introduced us to this (4-H) contest.”

When it comes to pumpkins, though, Buster says he almost prefers “showing” to growing these days. He enjoys winning and he’s gotten used to it in recent years. He took home the top prize in the state 4-H Biggest Pumpkin contest in 2019 with a 491-pound gourd, then he won again in 2020 with a 334-pounder. This year, his entry Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

Buster Passmore chats while resting on one of the last pumpkins left in his garden this year. He’ll soon have to start cleaning out the leftover vines and stumps and preparing for next season.

Photo Courtesy of Mark Passmore

Buster and his dad, Mark, with one of his prize pumpkins. was smaller – 219 pounds – but he still came out on top.

“Three times in a row! I’m the first 4-H-er to ever get that done,” he says with evident pride.

The first year he tried his hand at the statewide 4-H contest, his pumpkin busted on the trip the Arkansas State Fair, but it didn’t deter him. That particular pumpkin weighed around 220 pounds, but it had a soft spot on it that made it vulnerable. It was a learning experience for the duo and they’ve since perfected their tricky procedure for lifting and transporting large pumpkins. Buster has also settled 11

Photo Courtesy of Mark Passmore Moving large pumpkins in tricky business that requires the right equipment and strategy. One of Buster’s first contest pumpkins shattered in the truck while being transported to the Arkansas State Fair. into a particular routine for growing and caring for his potential winners.

“You wake up, you water them and, every so often – probably every couple of weeks – you fertilize them with the organic matter of your choice,” Buster explains. Buster has given his chosen organic matter mixes some colorful names – “Horse Poop Tea” and “Chicken Poop Soup” (“I came up with that recently,” Buster says).

Spraying fungicide and insecticide is necessary because bugs can be an issue when growing prize-winning pumpkins, Buster and Mark explain. Buster points to stink bugs as a problem, but adds that eggshells crushed and sprinkled on and around the pumpkin car ward these off.

He’s also careful to point out that choosing the right sprays is key, because he doesn’t want to use something that will harm bees.

“Bees are very important for pumpkins because they pollinate. They can go from the male flower to female flower and it helps because the female flowers are the only ones that can grow a pumpkin,” he says.

Typically, sometime in mid-May, Buster says, he builds three mounds and plants two seeds in each mound. Then comes months of care and waiting. Moderate weather is best for the process, with heat and humidity being a 12

problem that can cause soft spots and other damage.

Sometimes tarps are needed to provide shade for the long and tangled vines that grow in every direction. When the pumpkins reach roughly basketball size, Buster slides plywood boards under them to protect the growing gourds from ground moisture.

As the growing out continues, he and his father keep a close watch and, “after we see the three biggest ones, we get rid of the smallest ones.” Then, he says, they see which of the larger pumpkins grows the most and remove the others, because, “smaller pumpkins only slow down the process.”

The rejected pumpkins don’t go to waste, however. Mark and Buster experimented this year and discovered a tasty new way to make use of them. “If they’re about the size of a baseball, you can cut ‘em up, bread ‘em and fry ‘em up like squash,” Buster says. “It tastes just about like squash, too.”

Buster has made some friends in the world of giant pumpkin-growers. One friend in Rhode Island sent Buster a box of soil enhancers and other materials he can use during growing season. He also stays in touch with other “large plant” growers through Facebook Groups and often finds good tips and advice there.

“That’s where we got the idea for a hammock for his watermelons last year. It’s netting that kept it off the ground and helped keep it from rotting,” says Mark.

Touring the ever-expanding garden at their current home in the middle of miles of Bono farmland, Mark and Buster point out the round cages they use for containing the tomato plants and Mark pulls a smaller roll of chain-link in the middle of the cage. This, he says, was Buster’s idea for keeping the plant contained and growing upward so he could monitor the progress.

Photo Courtesy of Mark Passmore Buster shows off one of his giant pumpkins and some of the soil enhancers and unique concoctions he uses to fertilize and grow the impressive prize winners.

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

Holding some of the fruits (and veggies) of his labor, Buster talks about how he likes to learn through “trial and error” and experimentation. (RIGHT) Buster has won the state 4-H Biggest Pumpkin contest three years in a row, but he also loves growing tomatoes.

Buster and Mark hope that 4-H will have a tomatorelated contest to enter someday. In the meantime Buster likes to experiment with them in the kitchen.

“You can take a bunch of small, green tomatoes and pickle them,” he says. “They’re pretty good that way.”

Mark says Buster will often watch gardening videos on YouTube to learn new things when he’s curious or stumped.

For his part, Buster says he learns most by just spending time in the garden.

“Usually I learn through trial and error,” Buster says.

“Sometimes I might look up something I don’t know.”

Whatever the case, Buster’s mind is usually on gardening and he’s still coming up with ideas he’d like to try.

“I’d like to experiment with peppers and watermelons – cross-pollinating those,” he says with a smile. “I wonder if it will make the watermelon spicy … It’d be a spice melon!”

Buster sees no end to his gardening days. He can continue entering 4-H contests until he’s 19. Last year, after pumpkin season, he worked on a food plot for deer not far from his home. It was for another 4-H competition, and he won. The rules say winners have to sit out a year for that, so he’s now focused on building a new greenhouse and preparing for next year’s pumpkin crop, a process that begins almost immediately.

“The day after we pick the pumpkin is when we start for next year,” says Mark. “We clean out the garden. We take the vines out and burn them and start adding the ‘chicken Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

poop soup’ for the soil.”

He will also continue to work on his other vegetables, some of which he sells. Buster’s contest winnings go into his college fund, while money from vegetable sales goes to St. Jude.

“Whenever someone pays him for his vegetables, we send them (St. Jude) a check. His first year, we drove over to give it to them, but he was too young to go in the hospital.

He wanted to go in and visit all the kids. He had a bunch of jokes lined up and everything.”

Buster says he still wants to visit St. Jude some day when he’s older, but he’s forgotten the jokes he’d prepared when he was younger and will need to come up with some new ones.

Outside of gardening, he raises rabbits and broilers for others in the area and for other 4-H members.

He plans to ride his four-wheeler during the winter and catch some butterflies during the summer. And, appropriate for a boy his age, he’ll be looking for ways to have fun and keep moving. He’s always moving. As we wrap up the day and start to head away from the garden, Buster pulls apart another corn stalk and hurls it across the garden like a javelin. As he goes to pick it up, a stray vegetable on the ground nearby catches his attention and he’s on to the next thing. • 13

TRUCK BED COVER HEADQUARTERS

Attractive and affordable, the LITERIDER® Roll-Up Cover is the storage solution for you.

The exclusively patented style adds the finishing touch to your truck box while the versatile and functional performance maximizes the utility of your pickup.

From the increased capacity design to the easy one person operation, carry more gear under this durable, long-lasting tonneau cover. See the quality, feel the difference, LITERIDER® Roll-Up Covers are crafted for great ambitions.

We go the extra mile.

Large Enough to Serve...

Small Enough to Care

• Red Iron Buildings • All Steel Structures • All Bolt-Up Structures • Engineered Buildings

866-479-7870

Over 32 years of service Gravette, AR www.MARATHONMETAL.COM

sales@Marathonmetal.com

501-982-2245 • 401 Municipal Drive, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076 • Goodselltruck.com

Knee Pain WARNING! Discover Relief Without Drugs, Shots, or Surgery!

DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS?  Knee Pain, Swelling,  Tendonitis and/or Stiff ffnness  Meniscus Tears  Degenerative Arthritis (Osteoarthritis) of the Knee  Bursitis

 Popping or Crunching  “Bone-On-Bone” Sounds  Received Recommendations For Knee Surgery  Cartilage Damage If you have any of these knee symptoms, you may be a candidate for a Non-Surgical and Non-Invasive Knee Pain Treatment System that targets the root cause of Knee Pain. Are you looking for an alternative to knee surgery?

A FREE Knee Pain Breakthrough Information Packet is available that reveals how thousands of Knee Pain Sufferers have gotten out of pain Without Drugs, Shots, or Surgery! If you suffer from Knee Pain, you need to order this Free Information Packet, while supplies last.

To receive your Free Information Packet… Call Toll Free (888) 233-3893.

Hurry, supplies are limited.

(24-hour Recorded Message)

Copyright © RMG 2021

14

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

15

DeathandTaxes New proposals threaten future farming generations

by Dwain Hebda

“

People don’t understand that land is more than just an investment...

You put your heart and soul into it.

16

Front Porch

|

”

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

B

enton Felts was a nervous wreck. On Independence Day, the fourth-generation Mississippi County farmer couldn’t remember a year a crop that looked better, clean, lush and growing. But the rains stopped shortly thereafter and the waltz he and his son Wren had with Mother Nature turned into a fistfight. By August, the dryland patches looked bad and the irrigated plats ran seemingly night and day.

Now it was autumn, harvest time, and Felts could only wait for the reports from Wren out in the field to see what the year’s sweat had brought.

“People often ask me, ‘Why do you farm?’” he said.

“When this year happened, I asked myself, ‘Why do I do this? Why do I do it?’ But then harvest rolled around here three or four weeks ago and Wren was on the combine and he was sending me pictures of the yield monitor. It was really good yields and the prices were good.

“Then I asked my little 4-year-old granddaughter what she wanted for Christmas, and she said, ‘I want a combine like my dad’s.’ That’s when I remembered, that’s why I do it.”

The best stories always include a little bit of danger and for that the Felts family – like all farm families – don’t have to look much past their back door. Weather, storms, machinery breakdown, personal illness or injury, these elements perennially ride shotgun with the farmer, testing his nerve, straining his back, challenging his faith. Why do they do it, indeed.

“People don’t understand that land is more than just an investment,” Felts said. “You put your heart and soul into it. My granddad’s place, as far as I’m concerned, it’s not just a piece of property, it’s my granddad’s heart and soul that went into working and paying for that. People in Washington don’t understand that and I’m sure a lot of people in Little Rock don’t understand that.”

As he speaks, Felts’ comments are made manifest by current proposals at the federal level to revamp the inheritance tax code for agricultural landowners, proposals with potentially devastating impact on farm families across Arkansas and around the country wanting to keep ancestral ground in familiar hands.

Current statues exempt assets up to $11.7 million per individual (or $23.4 million per couple) from federal estate taxes, levied when farms are passed down after an operator’s death. Another provision of the law changes the baseline assessment of said property, from the fair market value at the time the deceased farmer acquired it to the fair market value at the time of inheritance, the so-called “stepped up” provision. The heir to that land would only pay estate tax if they sold the property and realized a profit

Mississippi County’s Benton Felts says his family farmland “is not just a piece of property, it’s my granddad’s heart and soul that went into working and paying for that.” above the stepped-up assessment, known as capital gains.

These points matter because it directly impacts a producer’s ability to pass along assets to the next generation and for the heirs to be able to afford the tax bill on what’s being handed down. Only a small fraction of the farms in Arkansas, about 3.4 percent, exceed the $11.7 million exemption number, meaning 96 percent of farm families are able to keep their operations in the family without undue tax burden on the survivors.

For lifers like Felts, handing the reins down to his son and even his granddaughter one day is the end goal and a sacred responsibility.

“In my opinion, this land has been bought and paid for and taken care of,” he said. “It was bought for the sole purpose of passing it down. I don’t make enough money to pass money down to my son or my granddaughter, but we work and buy this land and that prepares them to be able to keep going. In life, all you can do for your family is prepare them to take care of themselves and to be able to take care of their families. As a farmer that’s what we do.

We try to take care of our land, take care of our farm, take care of our equipment so that our sons and daughters can provide for their families.”

“Some of the legislation that they talk about would basically take our land away and in a lot of cases give it to big corporations that don’t care about the community, don’t care about the people. Maybe even foreign interests will come in there and get that land. It just takes out the people that have worked hard and tried to do the right thing and be good neighbors. It’s almost like it’s punishing them, taking it away from them.”

The two proposals currently fomenting in Congress would substantially alter the tax code. One proposal would continued on page 18>>

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

17

<<continued from page 17

“We try to take care of our land, take care of our farm, take care of our equipment, so that our sons and daughters can provide for their families,” says Benton Felts. (RIGHT) Felts with his son, Wren, and wife, Sherry. slash the exemption threshold by nearly two-thirds from $11.7 million to $3.5 million. Another would eliminate the “stepped-up provision,” meaning heirs would pay tax on the difference in fair market value between when land was purchased and when it was passed down. And when you consider the appreciation of farmland over a typical 30-year working lifespan – per the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture statistics, an acre of land in 1978 fetched $500; by 2008 that same acre was over $2,000 – inheriting the family farm becomes more than some heirs can afford.

David Hendrix, whose family has been in farming and timber for three generations in Pike County, knows what will happen to succeeding generations if these proposals become law.

“They’re done,” he said. “There won’t be any farmers that own ground. Ground will be owned by investors, and farmers will either cash rent or share rent or whatever. But the people that want to work the land won’t own the land anymore because they can’t afford it.”

Hendrix has wrestled this issue firsthand in the wake of his father’s death in an accident in 1996. Prior to that, his parents had gone to extraordinary lengths in succession 18

planning but even with that, the process of settling the estate was grueling.

“We certainly weren’t planning for my father to be killed in an accident, but my mother and dad were pretty well prepared,” he said. “Still, it took a lot of work and a lot of wrangling around with legal work and lawyer fees and all that kind of stuff to get my dad’s estate settled. And, it cost us quite a bit of money.

“Now for us, if the tax law doesn’t change from what it is at this point, I think most of us will be in pretty good shape. But if they start lowering [the exemption], there’s going to be a problem.”

Hendrix said the biggest flaw with proposals such as what’s floating around Washington right now is they come from lawmakers who only know what they see on paper and have likely never set foot on a farm, let alone talked to a producer to learn the real-world economics of agriculture.

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

“What they really don’t understand is that the return on assets is so slim,” he said. “A normal individual thinks a 10 percent return on your investment is what you ought to be getting. Well, you show me a farmer that makes a 10 percent return on his appraised investment.

“I think another big part of the misunderstanding is inflated appraisals. They say this farmer died and his estate and property and equipment are all appraised for $15 million. Well, what’s his cost in it? I think that would be a fair question. How much did that cost him?”

Hendrix shakes his head over how such proposals paint farmers as wealthy land barons simply because of land appreciation, as if he could take a chunk of that dirt and spend it in the grocery store. He said politicians need to have a better eye for who’s working the system and who’s working the land.

“That land’s not intended for sale. We’re not holding it for sale,” he said. “They’ll say, ‘Well, we’re not ever going to get any taxes out of it.’ My answer to that would be if the children decide to sell it, they ought to be liable for taxes.

When they sell it and take the cash in their hand, then they need to be paying taxes. But as long as they’re working the ground and using the asset, I just don’t think that’s fair.”

“I don’t know what the answer to all of this is, but I do know the solution is not putting farmers out of business.” •

David Hendrix’s family has been in farming and timber in Pike County for three generations. He points out that federal tax policy is often created by lawmakers who’ve “never set foot on a farm.”

From Wood to Steel, We Got the BEST DEAL! •

Custom Metal & Steel Buildings

•

Portable Buildings

•

Wooden Decks

•

Greenhouses

•

Chicken Coops

•

Licensed, Insured & Bonded

Call 501-707-8096 or text

www.aspbuildings.com 23950 Interstate 30 • Bryant

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

19

A RURAL HAVEN, JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY:

TRAVELING TO SCOTT AND KEO

A

round 30 minutes southeast of Little Rock and North Little Rock, visitors enter another time zone, figuratively speaking.

Before getting too far down the road, travelers can fuel up on some culinary delights found in the area, such as Me & McGee Market in North Little Rock, which is a family owned and operated outdoor market focused on Arkansas products.

Once you leave town, a change in the terrain is immediately noticeable at the England exit off I-440 east and heading south on U.S. 165. It’s flat, very flat, with the only noticeable uplifting being the earthen berms on the left. Behind the levees, it’s also flat, and very fertile. The soil here is Mississippi delta land, just right for farming. And farming is still what many people do in the area.

There are vast plots of former farm land that have been transformed into housing sub-divisions.

But there remain large spreads of soybeans, cotton and wheat. It’s pretty country and stands of old trees in the distance and a few old farmhouses and churches dot the landscape.

The first community along the route is Scott. The town is home to the Scott Settlement, where you can learn more about early farming life. There’s a Civil War Marker toward the front of the settlement, 20

Story by Zoie Clift, staff travel writer for Arkansas Tourism Photos by Keith Sutton

Visitors traveling to Scott and Keo can pick up some fresh vegetables and other treats at Me & McGee Market, a family owned and operated business focused on Arkansas products.

Scott Settlement allows visitors to step back in time for a taste of early farming life in Arkansas.

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

explaining the Battle of Ashley’s Mills, part of the Little Rock campaign conducted by Union General Frederick Steele.

At U.S. 165, huge aluminum buildings loom across the street, aging gins where cotton was processed and stored. Crossing U.S. 165 diagonally and getting on Ark. 161, ahead is a restored building that used to be the old SteeleDortch Store. Today it serves as a state park called the Plantation Agriculture Museum.

Plantation Agriculture Museum

Exhibits in the museum focus on the era when equipment was mule and man-powered.

They are designed to explain the entire process of growing cotton, from the preparation of the field to the final step at the gin.

If you are hungry, Seaton’s Scott Place is known for its barbecue and onion rings and other fare, and next door you can drop in to the Curve Market.

There are other notable sights in Scott. Not to be deterred by a dirt road, a visit to Marlsgate is worth the trek. It was the original old Dortch Plantation, built by a prominent farming family.

Located on the shores of Bearskin Lake, the stately home is open only for group tours and special occasions such as weddings, receptions and luncheons. But it’s worth a drive-by just to get a view what was once one of the major plantations in Arkansas.

Photo Courtesy of Arkansas Tourism

Charlotte’s Eats and Sweets, located inside an old apothecary shop in Keo, offers food and homemade desserts.

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

Plantation Agriculture Museum in Scott preserves Arkansas farming history. Housed in a series of buildings is the main museum, originally built as a general store in 1912, the Dortch Gin Exhibit containing a 1916 cotton gin, Seed Warehouse #5, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a Historic Tractor Exhibit completed in 2018. continued on page 22>>

21

<< continued from page 21

Toltec Mounds

Going back the same route to Ark. 165 and Scott, continue south. On the right is an oddity for this region, an uplifting in the otherwise flat terrain known as Toltec Mounds. The state park that incorporates these ancient mounds and the Plum Bayou culture that inhabited the site from 650-1050 A.D. is well worth a stop.

Marlsgate

After leaving Toltec, continue on U.S. 165, highlighted by groves of pecan trees and huge antebellum-style homes. Past the intersection with Ark. 15, downtown Keo is on the right, but just before you get to that point, watch for Keo Fish Farm on your left. This 2,000-acre facility is the largest producer of hybrid striped bass fry and fingerlings in the world. Keo Fish Farm also produces sterile triploid grass carp, which are widely stocked to help control vegetation in lakes and ponds.

Continuing south on Ark. 165, you’ll arrive in the quaint rural community of Keo. On Main Street is Charlotte’s Eats and Sweets, located inside an old apothecary shop and offering food and homemade deserts, and especially known for their famous pies.

The building was built in 1926 by the Cobb family, plantation owners in the area. It was in the late 1920s or early 30s that the drug store was bought by pharmacist Bishop Leake, who gave the store its first claim to fame. He was the creator of Leake’s Liniment, a well-known medicine of the times. Leake passed away in the 1960s and the building was unoccupied until Charlotte’s opened in 1993. The original mahogany apothecary cabinets and soda fountain are still in place.

If you are looking for a change of scenery, this road trip to Scott and Keo is sure to satisfy. •

Photo courtesy of Arkansas Tourism.

Marlsgate Plantation was originally the Dortch family farm. The stately Greek Revival structure sits on the shores of Bearskin Lake.

Photo courtesy of Arkansas Tourism.

Located about 4 miles from Scott, Toltec Mounds is a National Historic Landmark, one of four in the Arkansas State Park system

Keo Fish Farm, a 2,000-acre facility, is the largest producer of hybrid striped bass fry and fingerlings in the world.

22

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

Renew the Tradition.

Renew Your Hunting License.

Scan to renew your AGFC Hunting License online:

This season, share your love for deer hunting.

#Hunt Natural

500

Farm Bureau members receive

$

BONUS CASH *

ON ELIGIBLE NEW RANGER, F-150 OR SUPER DUTY

500

We value our long-standing partnership with Farm Bureau and are proud to offer their members exclusive savings.

®

Farm Bureau members receive

$

BONUS CASH *

ON ELIGIBLE NEW RANGER, F-150 OR SUPER DUTY

We value our long-standing partnership with Farm Bureau and are proud to offer their members exclusive savings.

®

FORD F-150

FORD F-150

FORD SUPER DUTY

FORD SUPER DUTY

FORD RANGER ®

FORD RANGER ®

Computer-generated image with available features shown.

Computer-generated image with available features shown.

Join Farm Bureau to take advantage of this exclusive offer!

Don’t miss outtoday on this offer.

Don’t miss out on this offer.

Learn more attoday! arfb.com.

Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com today! ** Farm Farm Bureau Bonus Cash isforexclusively formembers active who Farm Bureauofmembers who areBonus residents of the States. $500 Bonus Cash on eligible new 2020/2021/2022 Bureau Bonus Cash is exclusively active Farm Bureau are residents the United States. $500 Cash on eligible newUnited 2020/2021/2022 ® Ford Ranger, F-150 F-150 or Super Duty.

This incentive available on F-150isRaptor, F-600, F-650 on and F-150 F-750 Super Duty®. This offer may not be used conjunction Ford Ranger, or Super Duty.is® not This incentive not available Raptor, F-600, F-650 andinF-750 Super Duty®. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Must be a Farm Bureau member with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans.

Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase and take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s stock by January 3, 2022. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage. for consecutive days prior purchase take newNote retail delivery anusing authorized com 30 or see your authorized Ford Dealer for to qualifications andand complete details. to dealer: Claim infrom VINCENT #37860. Ford Dealer’s stock by January 3, 2022. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage. com or see your authorized Ford Dealer for qualifications and complete details. Note to dealer: Claim in VINCENT using #37860.

2021_FD_FB_Generic_Ad_8.5x11_Q1-500.indd 1

12/10/20 5:13 PM

Arkansas Farm Bureau Members

$500 UP TO

Cogswell Ford 1900 East Main Russellville, AR 72801 479-968-2665 www.cogswellford.com

Cavenaugh Ford 2000 E. Highland Drive Jonesboro, AR 72401 870-972-8000

Ford of West Memphis 2400 East Service Rd. West Memphis, AR 72301 870-735-9800 www.fordofwestmemphis.com

Everett Ford 19723 Interstate 30 Benton, AR 72015 501-315-4700 www.everettford.com

Ryburn Motor Company, Inc. 156 Highway 425 South Monticello, AR 71655 870-367-5353 www.ryburnautomotive.com

Riser Harness 2000 E. Race Ave. Searcy, AR 72143 501-268-2486 www.riserharnessford.com

•

• • •

•

•

H•

•

•

•

•

•

H

•

Everett Ford Benton

•

H

•

•

•

Cavenaugh Ford Jonesboro

•

Smith Ford Conway

• •

H

•

Cogswell Ford Russellville

H

Red Taylor Ford Corning

•

•

•

•

•

•

Glen Sain Ford Paragould

H

Riser Harness Searcy

H •

• •

H

BONUS CASH Glen Sain Ford, Inc. Danny Ford, owner 1301 Hwy 49 North Paragould, AR 72450 870-236-8546 www.glensainford.net Red Taylor Ford, Inc. 401 W. Second St. Corning, AR 72422 870-857-3516 www.redtaylorford.com

Smith Ford, Inc. 908 E. Oak St. Conway, AR 72032 501-329-9881 www.smithford.net

Vaughn Ford Sales, Inc. 106 Hwy 63 West Marked Tree, AR 72365 870-358-2822 www.vaughnford.com

•

Vaughn Ford Marked Tree Ford of West Memphis West Memphis

H

•

• •

•

•

Ryburn Motor Co. Monticello

H

• •

H Featured Dealership Locations

Front Porch

|

• Dealership Locations

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

25

e t a r b e l e C g n i s r u N

SAVE THE DATE

PROUDLY PRESENTS THE

16TH ANNUAL

2022

EXPO

JOB, EDUCATION, NURSING & ALLIED HEALTH EXPO • TALK TO RECRUITERS! • RESUME REVIEWS! • ONSITE INTERVIEWS! • FREE CE CREDITS!

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

WIN SCHOLARSHIPS • TVs • HOURLY PRIZES!

The largest gathering of hospitals, allied health care professionals, and schools ever in one place PRESENTED BY:

9 am - 2 pm

Jack Stephens Center UALR Campus • Little Rock

SCHOOL OF NURSING

Contact Susan Brown at 800.561.4686, ext. 108 or email at sbrown@pcipublishing.com for booth space reservations or questions.

CO-SPONSORED BY:

26

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

Celebrate Nursing

2022

OUTSTANDING NURSE

EDUCATOR

AWARD

NOMINATION FORM

The Nation’s Largest Publisher of State Board of Nursing Journals

PROUDLY HOSTING THE

2022

NURSING

COMPASSION

AWARD

2022

OUTSTANDING NURSE

EDUCATOR

AWARD

On April 2, 2022, Publishing Concepts, Inc. will be celebrating their 16th Annual Nursing Expo in the Jack Stephens Event Center on the UALR campus. In conjunction with this event we will be honoring nominees and winners of The Compassionate Nurses Award and Nursing Educator Award in the Legends room.

We’re searching Arkansas to find the one nurse we can say is the most outstanding in the state. Do you know a nurse that you feel is the most compassionate, caring and empathetic caregiver? A nurse who has given comfort or care to you, a family member, or a friend? It may be a nurse you work with. We are asking you to send us their name, where they work, phone number, and a short message expressing why you think theyNURSING are the most deserving nurse in Arkansas.

2022

2021 COMPASSION

For the eighth year we are also honoring the outstanding Nurse Educator of the Year. We are searching for an educator that has been a driving force in development and support of nursing careers. Send in your nominee’s name, place of work, and a short story of why they should receive the award. Be sure to include your contact information for us to get back in touch with you.

AWARD

Nominate a candidate from your school or facility today. DEADLINE Your nomination should include:

IS FEBRUARY 28, 2022.

EXPO

Name:____________________________________________________ License #: ________________________ School or place of employment: _________________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________ Include a short essay on why the nominee deserves the honor. (Please feel free to add extra pages.)

Contact information of person nominating:

Name:_____________________________________________________Phone:___________________________ Email address:_______________________________________________________________________________ It is important that the individual making the nomination includes their contact information for follow up.

Please email or send your nominations to the address below, no later than February 28, 2022.

Susan Brown, Nurse Compassion Award/Nurse Educator Award PO Box 17427 • Little Rock, AR 72222 • sbrown@pcipublishing.com • 1-800-561-4686, ext. 108 For online nomination form, please visit SPONSORED BY:

TA S T E A R K A N S A S

Rice is Nice forFall Meals T

his makes a great supper after a long day working on the farm,” says 15-year-old Wesley Scroggins of his prize-winning dish, Mexican Rice One-Pot Meal.

Scroggins of Cleveland (Conway County) and 10-year-old Emma Kate Powell of Lowell (Benton County) were the 2021 winners of the annual Arkansas Farm Bureau “Rice is Nice” Youth Cooking Contest.

Scroggins took the top prize in the “Main Dish” category with his Mexican Rice One-Pot Meal, while Powell’s recipe for Arancini Rice Balls won in the “Party Idea” category. This year, participants submitted short videos showcasing their recipe and their knowledge of cooking rice and preparing their dishes.

They were judged on factors such as the importance of rice in the dish, the ready availability of ingredients, accuracy of the recipe, correct preparation and craftsmanship, presentation and degree of difficulty and creativity.

“It would also be a good dish to take to a get together. I like to serve this dish with fresh avocado on

28

Story by Rob Anderson and Ashley Wallace Photos by Ashley Wallace

the side which adds more color and texture to the plate,” said Scroggins, who is a son of Shannon and Teresa Scroggins and a member of Conway County 4-H. Powell, the daughter of Jeremy and Tracey Powell and a Benton County 4-H member, also won the Main Dish category in this year’s Arkansas Farm Bureau Dairy Foods Contest. Her winning recipe for Mexican Quiche was featured in the summer issue of Front Porch.

Of her winning rice recipe, Powell says, “These rice balls are unlike anything I’ve ever tried. They’re crunchy on the outside and warm and yummy on the inside with the rice, ham and cheese.”

Runners-up for the Main Dish competition were 11-year-old Hunter Nuckols of Russellville, second place, and 12-year-old Ava Mitchell of Siloam Springs, third place. Other finalists in the Party Ideas category were 9-year-old Kemmer Gurley of Brinkley, second place, and 14-year-old Gwendolyn Hutton of Jonesboro, third place.

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

Mexican Rice One Pot Meal From Wesley Scroggins – Age 15

Ingredients

• • • • • • • • • •

1 ¼ cups white rice – uncooked 1 lb lean ground beef 2 tbsp olive oil 1 cup tomato paste 3 2 ½ cups chicken broth 1 can whole kernel corn 1 can black beans 1 onion chopped fine 1 bell pepper, diced 1 cup green onions, chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided) • ½ tsp cayenne pepper • 1 ½ tbsp dried oregano • 3 tsp cumin • 3 tsp coriander • 3 tsp onion powder • 2 tsp paprika • 1 ½ tsp salt

Directions: 1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over high heat.

2. Add garlic and onion, cook until onion is translucent.

3. Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until you no longer see raw meat.

4. Add cayenne pepper, dried oregano, cumin, coriander, onion powder, paprika and salt and cook for 30 seconds.

5. Add diced bell pepper and cook for 1 minute.

6. Add tomato paste and chicken broth, stir to mix in.

7. Add rice, corn and black beans.

8. Stir, bring to simmer then cover and lower heat to medium low (simmering gently). Cook 15 minutes.

9. Remove lid, add chopped green onion and 1 cup of the cheese.

10. Smooth top then sprinkle on remaining 1 cup of cheese. Cover and leave for 1 minute just to melt cheese.

11. Remove from stove and serve immediately, garnished with more green onion if desired. continued on page 30>>

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

29

<< continued from page 29

TA S T E A R K A N S A S

Arancini Rice Balls From Emma Kate Powell – Age 10

Ingredients For the Arancini Rice Balls:

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp butter • 1 medium onion finely diced (about a cup) • 1 cup ham, finely diced • 2 cups long grain white rice • 6 cups chicken broth • 1 tsp salt • 1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped • 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded • 4 oz. mozzarella cheese cut into (24) ½ in cubes For Breading/Frying: • 1 cup all purpose flour • 3 eggs, beaten • 1 ½ cups Italian bread crumbs • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola) Instructions 1. Using a Dutch oven with a tight fitting lid, add 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter and heat on medium/high setting. When hot, stir in diced onion and saute until soft and golden (4-5 min).

Add finely diced ham and cook for another 2 min. or until golden. Add rice and stir to coat with oil.

2. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and cook until mostly evaporated (2 min). Add additional 5 cups chicken broth and 1 tsp salt, then cover and simmer until liquid has been absorbed by the rice (about 15-17 min). Rice should be soft, and the liquid mostly absorbed. Spread rice mixture into a large-rimmed baking dish to cool.

3. Once rice is at room temperature, stir in 1/3 cup parsley and 1 cup parmesan cheese. Form rice balls with wet hands, using a heaping ice cream scoop for each. Stuff each rice ball with a cube of mozzarella cheese and form a tight ball with the rice mixture to enclose the cheese.

4. Set up 3 shallow bowls, the first with the flour, the second with the beaten eggs, and the third with the breadcrumbs. Dredge each rice ball in flour, shaking off the excess, then dip oneby-one in the egg allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl. Finally, roll each ball in the breadcrumbs.

5. Add an inch of oil into a deep pot over medium heat. Once oil is hot, add the breaded rice balls in batches without crowding the pot. Cook about 3-4 minutes per batch, turning to get all sides golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel. Serve warm with marinara sauce.

30

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

COVID-19 TREATMENTS IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY THERAPY.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAB) are used to treat mild or moderate COVID-19 in some adult and pediatric patients. This therapy uses proteins that mimic your body’s immune response to fight off harmful viruses and can prevent patients from developing severe symptoms of COVID-19 and being hospitalized. MABs work best when started soon after symptoms develop.

Talk with your primary care provider as soon as possible after testing positive or visit healthy.arkansas.gov or call 1-800-803-7847 to see if you are eligible for MAB therapy.

Front Porch

|

healthy.arkansas.gov ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

31

M E M B E R S E R V I C E S U P D AT E

Calling All Hunters and Fall Travelers

F

all has finally arrived and the camo is coming out as people across the state prepare to head off to the woods for hunting season.

According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, there were 293,356 paid hunting license holders in Arkansas in 2020. That’s impressive, but let’s be honest … we didn’t really need official statistics to confirm Arkansans enjoy outdoor sporting and activities! And we know many of our Arkansas Farm Bureau Members certainly do! That’s why I’m excited to highlight the special 10% discount our members receive at Mack’s Prairie Wings.

32

by Autumn Wood

Mack’s Prairie Wings is a Natural State favorite located in Stuttgart, about 55 miles east of Little Rock.

If you’re preparing for your next hunting or fishing adventure or doing early Christmas shopping for your favorite outdoor lover, stop by Mack’s and show them your Farm Bureau Membership card to get your discount on hunting apparel and footwear, including waders and muck boots!

If you can’t make it to Stuttgart, you can still receive the discount by shopping at Mack’s online and using a special promo code provided to Farm Bureau members. Just visit http://bit.ly/MemberBenefitsLogin and login with your member number and zip code.

Also, if you’re staying overnight on your next hunting season adventure, you should know Arkansas Farm Bureau members get up to 20% off at Choice Hotels and Wyndham Hotel Groups with a special rate code when calling or booking online.

D E LTA C H I L D In Delta Child, author Talya Tate Boerner draws on her Mississippi County childhood to deliver readers back to a simpler time when screen doors slammed, kids tromped cotton, and Momma baked cornbread for supper every night. Boerner, a fourth-generation Arkansas farm girl, has been published in Arkansas Review, Ponder Review, and Writer’s Digest and blogs at Grace Grits and Gardening. She is the author of two books — The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee and Gene, Everywhere — available wherever books are sold.

by Talya Tate Boerner

Home Again, Home Again

W

e planned a trip to Lake Norfork at the beginning of October — a glorious three-day weekend girls’ trip, just Momma, my sister and me. We reserved a cabin closest to the water and had begun planning our meals. A packing list was taking shape in my mind — bathing suit, walking shoes, favorite hat, a book to read — you know, lake essentials no matter the season.

Momma arranged a sitter for her two kitties.

This would be a first. In the half-century(!) we’d been road-tripping to the lake, never once had we cannonballed into the water during the fall.

How could that be?

Fall is my favorite.

I imagined the trees in the cove blazing with orange leaves. I imagined watching the sunrise from the front porch, enjoying a cup of steaming coffee without summer’s humidity. When the stars began to show themselves, we would roast marshmallows without roasting ourselves, the mountain air cool on our skin.

We were counting down sleeps like giddy kids waiting for Santa Claus.

And then…

A friend back home mentioned defoliation had begun on the farm. With that one word — defoliation — our hearts and minds refocused. We cast aside our lake plans with little discussion and no debate. Like a stone skimming across the surface of calm water, our decision to go home to the farm was oh so right.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig.

Thomas Wolfe said you can never go home again.

Well, Thomas Wolfe didn’t live on a farm.

The house where my sister and I grew up waits for us no matter how much time spans visits. There’s comfort in being surrounded by so much history. Our board games cram the bedroom closet. Albums, cassette tapes, and 8-tracks fill drawers. The books we purchased at Keiser 34

Elementary book fairs line the shelves. Valentine cards, basketball trophies, art projects — you name it, Momma has saved it.

When we are there, it’s like we never left.

Yes, we’ve become those people who can’t decide where to eat without a 10-minute discussion while driving around town. We debate our Thanksgiving menu as though we might change it after all these years of same ole same ole. But going home to the farm during harvest?

That choice was cherry-pie easy.

Heck, I can watch the leaves change color from my kitchen window in Fayetteville. (And let’s be honest — it’s already too cold to swim.)

Once again, we jam-packed the car with people and cats and too much stuff, and we headed to the delta. We considered taking the northern route home through Mountain Home, driving over the bridge, explaining to the lake why we couldn’t be there, even though in August we crossed our hearts and promised to return in October.

We took the interstate instead.

Home calls us back to the place of bunkin’ parties and scary movies, Easter egg hunts and Christmas morning magic, Saturday cartoons and chocolate donuts, Soul Train and Jiffy Pop. It’s the place of deepest secrets, first heartbreaks, wildest dreams. It’s the one place that knows us best.

And then there’s harvest.

Some say it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

The time to see pickers and combines move through the fields of Mississippi County will vanish as quick as an unexpected sneeze. Maybe that’s part of the thrill of it; harvest can’t be delayed or duplicated or stockpiled for later. If it was possible to bottle and enjoy all the livelong year, I would have figured out how to concoct that particular magic by now. After all, my chemistry set is buried somewhere in the house. • Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2021

35

36

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • SUMMER 2021

Retiring? Let us add YOUR auction to this list...

Selling Equipment?

We’ll take it to the world!

Upcoming Winter Auctions Wynne, AR

December 16-17 Online-Only

Clarksdale, MS

January 25

We’ll make this really easy for you...

Live, on-site w/ online bidding!

Crawfordsville, AR

February 8

•

Wynne, AR

•

Live, on-site w/ online bidding!

February 17-18 Online-Only

February 24

Live, on-site w/ online bidding!

kirk@witcherauctions.com

870-588-1260

Call one of us today and take advantage of all these services… often times at NO cost to you!

We also offer…

Dumas, AR

Kirk Witcher - Owner

•

Complete hauling services Equipment cleaning / detailing Equipment repairs

Mark Phifer - Sales

m.phifer@witcherauctions.com

501-388-6563

Complete buyouts • Net guarantees & We pay referral fees!

•

Jackie Battles - Sales

Frank Herring - Sales

870-877-1717

662-934-9117

j.battles@witcherauctions.com

frank@deltafarmstore.com

www.witcherauctions.com