In Farm Bureau Stallman to depart in January American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman has announced he will not seek re-election in January 2016 following 16 years at the helm of the nation’s largest, most influential general farm organization. Stallman, a cattle and rice producer from Columbus, Texas, is the 11th president during AFBF’s almost 97-year history. “It has been a tremendous honor to serve the nation’s Farm Bureau members and represent agriculture and rural America,” Stallman said. “After 16 years as AFBF president, six as Texas Farm Bureau president and several more in other Farm Bureau roles, it is time to hand over the reins of leadership — a decision that is made easier by knowing the great leadership and foundation that exist to continue moving Farm Bureau forward. I am as optimistic as ever about the future of American agriculture and Farm Bureau.” A new AFBF president will be elected to a two-year term at the 97th annual meet-
Greg Peterson of the Peterson Farm Brothers spoke to almost 500 Arkansas Farm Bureau leaders who attended the 67th Annual Officers and Leaders Conference in Hot Springs July 21. Peterson and his brothers produce parodies to popular songs to share their personal agriculture stories and tell how things work on the Peterson Farm in Kansas. He helped drive home the conference theme, “#BeVocal,” stressing the need for all ArFB members to join the effort to “agvocate.” The insert in this issue features additional conference highlights. ing of voting delegates, Jan. 12, 2016, as part of the AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Tradeshow in Orlando. New learning kit “Farm a Month: Where Does Our Food Come From?” is a new learning kit developed by the American Farm Bureau
Eric Vest of Melbourne and Denver Reiley of Wiseman dissected a pig’s heart as part of a learning exercise at White River Medical Center in Batesville July 9. They were among 20 students from Independence, Izard, Sharp and White counties who participated in a M*A*S*H Camp to learn about medical professions from local doctors, nurses and other hospital staff.
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Foundation for Agriculture for pre-K to first-grade students. The Farm a Month kit provides an exciting way for teachers, families and classroom volunteers to engage preschool and elementary-aged students in agriculturalbased lessons throughout the year. The kit was developed with the goal of helping
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A Publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
July 31, 2015 • Vol. 18, No. 14
In Arkansas
Mike Malone, president of the Northwest Arkansas Council, spoke to more than 50 leaders about local issues as part of the July 9 Policy Development Kickoff meeting at the Washington County Farm Bureau office in Fayetteville. Farm Bureau connected 14 regional sites via videoconference that evening, officially kicking off the organization’s policy development
Marcie Garis, who owns Collins Round Mountain Orchard near Mayflower with her husband Racy, examines peaches at the orchard July 23. Disease has killed many of the Garis’ peach trees, making continued operation unprofitable. The family has been forced to close and sell the 100acre property, a popular destination for 28 years for those wanting fruit and produce.
cost to attend, and the event ends with a catfish lunch. Field tours of research plots, food demonstrations and family fun are all part of the expo, a salute by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture to rice production in Arkansas. “Arkansas is America’s No. 1 rice state, growing more than half of the rice produced in the United States,” said Mark Cochran, head of the UA System’s Division of Agriculture. “The Rice Expo is our opportunity to celebrate the successes of the farmers who make agriculture the state’s largest industry and share some of the exciting developments from our research and extension programs. We also see the Rice
Expo as our open house — an invitation for the community to meet our researchers and extension educators and see their work firsthand.” This year’s event features breakout sessions that focus on such issues as the implications of rice trade with Cuba, marketing rice and managing barnyard grass. Expo-goers will get a look at the work being done for the rice industry by division researchers, who will be leading field tours. Attendees with problems in the garden or landscape can take advantage of the plant disease clinic by bringing samples for diagnosis. There will also be a feral hog exhibit, food preservation clinic, equipment display, update on crop application technologies, kids’ activities, cooking demonstrations and rice recipe contest. For more information, go to www.uaex. edu/rice-expo/.
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2015 Rice Expo Gov. Asa Hutchinson will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Arkansas Rice Expo, set for Aug. 7 in Stuttgart. The half-day event opens at 8 a.m. at the Grand Prairie Center, 2709 U.S. 165. There is no
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comes from. “Premiere educational resources like the Farm a Month kit are an outstanding jumping-off point for young learners,” said Julie Tesch, executive director of the foundation. “But there is nothing quite like meeting a farmer face-to-face. We encourage educators and parents to also contact their local county Farm Bureau to connect with farmers and ranchers in their area.” Farm a Month kits are equipped with 12 activities, each focusing on a different commodity: maple syrup, popcorn, peaches, pears, apples, oranges, lettuce, grapes, cheese, pumpkins, turkeys and cranberries. Suggested snacks and related books to read are included for each activity. A 24 x 36-inch map of the United States and reusable stickers are included to reinforce geography as students learn about where different foods are produced. Each activity also includes a “Meet a Farmer” feature, with stories about life on the farm from people across the U.S. The Farm a Month kit is available for purchase for $25 online at http://bit.ly/ FarmaMonth.
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foster conversations about where food and fiber
The week of July 13, three judges traveled more than 1,400 miles to visit with the eight district finalists for the 69th Annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program. The Wilchman family of Cleveland in Conway County (left to right: Charlotte, Benjamin and Billy) is among those vying for top honors. The winner will be announced at a Dec. 10 luncheon in North Little Rock.
Dr. John Clark, a professor of horticulture at the University of Arkansas, described peach breeding efforts and recent Arkansas variety releases during a UA System Division of Agriculture peach field day July 16 at the Fruit Research Station in Clarksville. More than 60 growers attended to learn the latest about the breeding, physiology and culture of peaches.
School Garden of the Year The Arkansas Agriculture Department and Farm Credit say entries for the second annual Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year contest will be accepted until Aug. 31. Applicants can be any Arkansas school, grades pre-K through 12, that had a school garden open during the 2014-15 school year and can provide documentation through photos or video of its uses and existence. Farm Credit is providing funding for the following award categories: Best Nutrition Education-Based Garden ($500), Best Community Collaboration Award ($500),
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Arkansas Mud Drive Farmers, duck hunters, birders and conservationists are forming an alliance to strengthen Arkansas’s economy by making more mud. Mud doesn’t sound like a foundation for strength, but in the right place and at the right time it can help generate more economic dollars for Arkansas. Through the Arkansas Mud Drive, which officially kicked off July 17, farmers are being asked to voluntarily flood their fields by closing water-control structures within 14 days after harvest. This practice will keep valuable sediments and nutrients in the fields, as well as provide much-needed habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds. The goal is to catch rainfall needed to support wildlife. If structures aren’t closed, the soil that escapes a farm field after harvest has nutrients bound to it that the farmer paid for. Additionally, flooding fields after harvest allows weed seeds to decompose or be consumed by birds, reducing herbicide costs in spring. There are plenty of duck hunters hoping to find more flooded fields, so this is an opportunity to increase hunting opportunities and farm income through leases. Additionally, bird-watchers seek flooded fields starting in late summer for highly sought after shorebirds. Trip-related
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Best Environmental Education-Focused Garden ($500) and Overall Winning Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Award ($1,500). Submit applications online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/ARKSCHOOLGARDEN .
Arkansas FFA Association state officers Brian Hale (left) and Konner Holland were among the hundreds who attended Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Officers and Leaders Conference in Hot Springs July 20-21. Hale, from Lamar, is FFA’s Northwestern District Vice President. Holland, from Cabot, is the Eastern District Vice President. expenditures by wildlife-watchers are $35 million annually, so more wildlife-watching opportunities will certainly boost the rural economy in farming areas. Fishing will improve, as keeping the soil in the fields enhances water quality and increases sportfish populations. The Arkansas Mud Drive is also an opportunity for the youth of Arkansas to learn more about farming and how these sectors can work together to make Arkansas stronger and the water cleaner. Students and youth groups have the opportunity to win cash through the Mud Drive by getting pledges from farmers or landowners, as well as by answering a handful of educational questions. Pledges are due by Aug. 28. A pledge form, plus youth competition questions and instructions, can be found on the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts’ website at www.aracd.org.
Elsewhere Military personnel in Arkansas who serve the country by defending it and feeding it can now add a “Homegrown by Heroes, Arkansas Grown” label to agricultural products they sell. Army engineer Rex Barnhill (left), a Lonoke County farmer, and Arkansas Veterans Affairs Director Matt Snead helped unveil the new initiative at the state capitol July 2.
Farmers Market Week U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared Aug. 2-8 National Farmers Market Week. Throughout the week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will celebrate thousands of our nation’s farmers markets, the farmers and ranchers who make them possible and the communities that host them. “National Farmers Market Week is a great opportunity for farmers markets across the country to host special events to showcase all the tremendous services they
provide,” said Vilsack. “Farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support farmers and help grow rural economies. They bring communities together, connecting cities with the farms and providing Americans with fresh, healthy food.” For more information, visit www.farmersmarketcoalition.org. Farm Credit seeks nominees Do you know an individual or group whose leadership and vision are changing the future of agriculture and rural America for the better? If so, Farm Credit wants to hear from you. As it approaches the 100th anniversary of its founding, the organization is searching for 100 leaders who are positively shaping what is next for rural communities and agriculture. A panel of experts on rural matters will evaluate and help select the top 100 honorees. Those chosen will be announced in March 2016. Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives honorees will have the opportunity to share their stories and inspire with their vision throughout the Farm Credit centennial year in 2016 and beyond. Additionally, 10 distinguished Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives honorees will receive a $10,000 award to help further their contributions to thriving rural communities and agriculture. Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 18. Rules and a nomination form are available at www. farmcredit100.com. Editor Keith Sutton
keith.sutton@arfb.com
In the Market As of July 29, 2015 Sugar, dairy key TPP issues Australia said it would not sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership unless U.S. negotiators agree to more U.S. sugar market access for Australian growers. Hoped-for final talks are underway in Hawaii among 12 nations, including the U.S. and Japan. Dairy is also an issue at the TPP talks. The U.S., Canada and Japan have to make concessions on dairy trade before the TPP can be completed, New Zealand’s agricultural trade envoy said. Mike Petersen, a farmer who represents the interests of New Zealand agriculture, said the dairy part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations was at an impasse. Meanwhile, U.S. milk producers are eyeing more access to Japan and Canada to make up for any extra imports into the U.S. from countries such as New Zealand. Record Argentine crush Argentina crushed a record 18.5 MMT of soybeans for the first half of 2015, up 0.9 percent from 2014, the country’s ag ministry reported Tuesday. Through June, soy oil production totaled 3.6 MMT, up 3.5 percent from year-ago, while soy meal production of 13.9 MMT was up 0.4 percent from year-ago levels. Argentina expects 2014-15 oilseed production to notch a record of 60.8 MMT. The country is the world’s top soy meal and soy oil exporter. New wheat procurement system Egypt plans to switch to a new system for domestic wheat procurement in April 2016 that involves subsidizing farmers directly rather than subsidizing the grain, according to Supply Minister Khaled Hanafi.
Previously, Egypt fixed a local procurement price for Egyptian wheat that was above global prices to encourage production. But this led to a smuggling business. Under the new system, the government would purchase wheat at global prices instead of fixed ones, and some farmlands or types of wheat may receive preferential treatment. “Subsidies could be given in accordance with land ownership,” Hanafi explained, which would help the government assess exactly how much farmland is dedicated to wheat and would include farmers in the formal economy. New terminal for Brazilian soybeans Two soybean cargoes carrying a net 54,700 MT of non-GMO soybeans have already shipped from a new terminal in northeast Brazil known as Barras dos Coqueiros, and a third ship loaded with 27,800 MT of soybeans is currently anchored at the terminal in Sergipe. The new soy terminal is only expected to export around 150,000 MT of soybeans this year, but is reflective of efforts to increase capacity and lower costs for exporters in Brazil by developing shipping routes closer to the Panama Canal. China’s market plunge impacting markets China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 8.5 percent to start the week, its steepest percentage drop since Feb. 27, 2007. Fanning the losses were fears that China’s government is backing away from additional stimulus efforts to bolster its economy. Disappointing data to wrap up last week on manufacturing, and industrial profit data to start this week that showed a decline in June after increases in May and April, heightened expectation China would deploy additional actions. But the lack of moves helped spur the declines in Chinese stocks. And it prompted more investors to
pile into gold futures, sending values back atop $1,100 per troy ounce. Plus, it weighed down oil futures overnight given China’s huge appetite for crude oil. Funds going back into ag commodities Data from ETF Securities shows a small net inflow of fund money back into agricultural commodities this year versus an outflow of nearly 20 percent in 2014. Funds are thought to be returning to agricultural commodities for the first time since 2012, as they hope to take advantage of cheap prices, bullish demand and possible crop damage due to El Nino. The trend has been tempered in the past four weeks by the recent price drop for wheat and soybeans, but analysts still expect a net inflow for 2015. China imports record amount of South American soybeans in June China’s soybean imports climbed to 8.09 MMT in June, it’s secondhighest monthly level behind 8.5 MMT in December. China sourced 6.66 MMT of soybeans from Brazil and 1.17 MMT from Argentina at an average price that was down $172 per MT from one year ago. China’s strong buys of South American supplies are likely to continue as “7 MMT to 8 MMT have already been booked so far due to lower prices” for the fourth quarter, says Cheng Yunlong, an analyst with COFCO Futures Co. Ltd. He says this will squeeze U.S. exports to China. Brazil has extended its sales period this year thanks to a record harvest.
CONTACT • Matt King 501-228-1297, matt.king@arfb.com.
2015 O&L CONFERENCE
A
rkansas Farm Bureau’s 67th annual Officers and Leaders Conference drew almost 500 members to the Hot Springs Convention Center July 20-21. The theme was “#BeVocal.” A variety of workshops focusing on important farm and ranch issues combined with key speakers to produce a highly successful midsummer leaders’ gathering. Highlights included the President’s Address by Randy Veach of Manila, an Arkansas Agriculture Department update from Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward and a keynote address about advocating for agriculture through social media by Greg Peterson, one of the Peterson Farm Brothers well-known for their song parodies about agriculture. • photos by Keith Sutton •
Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward addressed the audience during the first session to help equip them with the tools they need to #BeVocal about Arkansas agriculture.
Above: ArFB President Randy Veach addressed the audience on Monday about the importance of #BeVocal and how we have to tell our agriculture stories. Above right: Heather Keenen of Washington County Farm Bureau sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem. Right: Jeff Pitchford, ArFB Public Policy director, led a workshop on the 90th General Assembly and how much was accomplished for agriculture. Right: Rich Hillman, Arkansas Farm Bureau vice president, presided over the opening general session and introduced President Randy Veach. Bottom right: Ken Brazil, an engineer supervisor for the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, discussed the State Water Plan and the final rule review.
Above: Five representatives from Newton County were among 19 groups that showed up for county photos sent to their hometown newspapers.
Far left: Greene Co. FB President Terry Norwood and MSR Karen Ellington told what their county has done to increase membership in the “Grow Farm Bureau� workshop. Left: Chris DeClerk with Delta Plastics presented a workshop on the new pipe planner software released by the company in 2014.
2015
O&L CONFERENCE Left: Almost 500 members were in attendance to hear the keynote speech by Greg Peterson of the Peterson Farm Brothers in Kansas. Peterson showed several YouTube song parody videos that made the brothers known to millions.
Left: ArFB PR Director Rob Anderson (pictured here) and social media specialist Mollie Dykes presented a workshop on being a better agvocate through social media.
Above: Many members stayed to visit with Greg Peterson after his presentation, including young Huck Plyler who got the YouTube star to autograph a T-shirt.