FRONT PORCH
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
THE THIRD ACT
Front Porch Columnist
Talya Tate Boerner takes us inside her new novel
+ KNOW YOUR FOOD
Elementary Ag Education Curriculum
TASTE ARKANSAS
Recipes from the Arkansas Farm Trail
CARRY THE TORCH FOR CONSERVATION
PRESCRIBED FIRE is used by conservation professionals and private landowners to increase valuable wildlife habitat and promote growth of native vegetation.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission partners with the Department of Agriculture to provide training to landowners on the benefits of using prescribed fire on their property and how to use prescribed burns to establish high-quality habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
To find upcoming workshops and learn more about prescribed burn associations and the benefits of fire, visit agfc.com/prescribedfire or scan the code below. agfc.com/prescribedfire
FRONT PORCH
5 / My View From the Front Porch
Dan Wright
7 / Serving Farmers, Serving You
Jarrod Yates
8 / Cover Story: The Third Act
Get behind the scenes with author Talya Tate Boerner and her new book, “The Third Act of Theo Gruene"
16 / Arkansas Farm
Families of the Year
Meet the district finalists
21 / A Day in the Life of a Rural School
Superintendent
Jon Laffoon opens the door to the Farmington School District
26 / A View From the Counties
Outreach and education across Arkansas
28 / Know Your Food
Fifteen districts will participate in pilot program to bring ag education curriculum to elementary schools
32 / Taste Arkansas
Stopping on the Arkansas Farm Trail at Urbana Farmstead
On the cover: Arkansas author Talya Tate Boerner has released her fourth book, “The Third Act of Theo Gruene.”
MY VIEW FROM THE FRONT PORCH
By DAN WRIGHT ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT
As we near harvest time across Arkansas, I know many of you are running on faith, fumes and a whole lot of grit.
It’s been one of those years where the highs and lows of agriculture have felt like a roller coaster ride. You’ve held your breath as market reports came in. You’ve squeezed every penny out of your inputs. You’ve stood in the gap between hope and hard reality.
Row-crop farmers, in particular, have felt the sting this year. Prices have stayed low while input costs like diesel, fertilizer and labor just keep climbing. We’ve operated most of the past two years without a completed farm bill, and that insecurity has weighed heavily on everyone. For far too long, outdated reference prices have left many farmers at a disadvantage, unable to make the math work.
But here’s some good news: while we don’t yet have the full farm bill across the finish line, significant progress has been made. Thanks to what’s being called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” we’ve seen long-overdue updates to those reference prices. This is an important step in helping farmers stay viable and competitive.
It’s not everything we need, and it’s not done yet, but it’s a step forward, and I thank God for that.
Now, while row-crop farmers have struggled, our livestock producers have seen some relief. From January through July, live cattle prices stayed strong. It’s been a welcome break in a sector that has also carried its share of challenges over the past few years.
But make no mistake: Whether you’re growing soybeans or raising calves, this year has taken a toll.
So what is Farm Bureau doing?
We haven’t sat still. Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation stepped up early, advocating for a pause in the farm bill and calling for reconciliation efforts that could help our producers right now — not two years from now. In collaboration with surrounding Southern states, we worked with the American Farm Bureau to make this happen.
At Arkansas Farm Bureau, we’ve leaned into our mission of advocacy with everything we’ve got by sending a group of producers to Washington, D.C., in June. They sat down with both Senate and House Agriculture Committee chairs as well as our other members of Congress to lay it all on the table. They expressed what Arkansas farmers are facing, what we need and why time matters.
We’ve also made sure the next generation of agriculture has had a seat at the table. Our Young Farmers & Ranchers group also made its way to Washington to meet with lawmakers.
We’ll keep doing the work. I also want to speak to the personal side of this: Policy and prices matter, but people matter more.
Lately, I’ve heard more folks say, “I’m tired.” Not just physically, but deep down — soul-weary tired. If that’s you, I want you to
know: You’re not weak. You’re not failing. You’re human.
And Scripture speaks right to that feeling: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28.
Not rest as in quitting. Not rest as in throwing in the towel. But rest for your soul.
Farming is full of waiting — on the rain, on the market, on the farm bill. But the kind of rest Jesus talks about isn’t about circumstances; it’s about surrendering the stress and trusting that even when things are beyond our control, God is still working behind the scenes.
That kind of faith is what got our grandparents through the Dust Bowl. It’s what saw families through wars and droughts and floods. And it’s what’s going to carry us through this time. Washington may stall. Prices may fall. But God does not fail.
You’re not alone in this. Not now. Not ever.
At Arkansas Farm Bureau, we’re walking with you. Advocating for you. Praying for you. And reminding you that you are more than the markets, more than the yield, more than a statistic.
So as we step into harvest season, let’s keep our heads high and our hearts steady. Let’s support one another. Rest when we can. And let’s lean on the truth that the Lord of the harvest is faithful.
Better days are ahead. And in the meantime, we’ll keep showing up for each other, for Arkansas and for the future of agriculture.
FRONT PORCH
Official membership publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation mailed to more than 180,000 member families.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Included in membership dues
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU OFFICERS:
President / Dan Wright, Waldron
Vice President / Mike Freeze, Little Rock
Secretary/Treasurer / Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart
Executive Vice President / Jarrod Yates, Benton
DIRECTORS:
Magen Allen, Bismarck
Jon Carroll, Moro
Brad Doyle, Weiner
Jack Evans, Carlisle
Sherry Felts, Joiner
Chase Groves, Garland City
Jason Henson, Mount Judea
Terry Laster, Strong
Caleb Plyler, Hope
Bob Shofner, Centerton
Dana Stewart, Judsonia
Joe Thrash, Houston
Mark Williams, Lavaca
EX OFFICIO
Nita Cooper, Everton
Sara Beth Johnson, Hickory Plains
Justin Story, Cauthron
Stewart Warner, West Memphis
Executive Editor / Steve Eddington
Contributing Writers / Shaylee Wallace Barber, Madi Dains, Julia DeSalvo, Justin Rotton, Talya Tate Boerner
ADVERTISING
Contact Chad Hooten at Arkansas Farm Bureau for advertising rates chad.hooten@arfb.com (501) 228-1274
Front Porch (USPS 019-879) is published quarterly by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation 10720 Kanis Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211
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Publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
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Notice of Annual Meeting of the members of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
Notice 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. 5, 2025, at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Horner Hall in Hot Springs, Ark.
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.
— Jarrod W. Yates, Executive Vice President
LOOKING FORWARD
By JARROD W. YATES
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Across every county in Arkansas, agriculture remains the heartbeat of our economy and the backbone of our communities. From Delta row crops to Ozark pastures, River Valley poultry farms to southern timber stands, Arkansas farmers and ranchers feed the nation and support the world.
Yes, we’ve faced our share of challenges — rising input costs, volatile markets, severe weather and increasing regulation. But one thing remains true: Arkansas agriculture is strong, and its future is even stronger.
Today, I want to speak directly to the hardworking families who make that strength possible. Because when we plant with purpose and stand together, our best harvests are still ahead.
Agriculture is evolving faster than ever. Precision farming, automation, drones and data analytics are transforming how we plant, irrigate, harvest and manage our operations. These innovations aren’t just the future, they’re the present.
And they’re not limited to large operations. Farms of all sizes across Arkansas are adopting technology to increase yields, lower input costs and conserve resources. From targeted spraying to artificial intelligence-driven equipment, we’re not just working harder — we’re working smarter.
The future belongs to producers who adapt, innovate and lead. Arkansas farmers are more than capable of doing just that.
Global demand for food, fiber and fuel is growing. By 2050, the world population will exceed 9 billion — and much of that need can be met by what we grow right here at home.
Arkansas is well-positioned. Whether it’s rice, soybeans, cotton, beef, poultry or sweet potatoes, our state has what the world needs. But it’s no longer just about quantity — consumers now want transparency, sustainability and a connection to how and where their food is grown.
That’s our opportunity. Whether it’s growing niche markets, expanding farm-to-table programs or increasing exports, Arkansas agriculture is ready to lead with integrity and innovation.
Even more promising is the passion we see in the next generation. Young farmers and ranchers across Arkansas are stepping up with energy, ideas and a deep commitment to our way of life. Through 4-H, FFA and Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers, we’re equipping them to succeed and making sure they don’t have to do it alone.
Let’s keep investing in them, and pass down more than land. Let’s pass down leadership, stewardship and the values that define Arkansas agriculture. The future isn’t something we wait for; it’s something we build. And that’s why your Arkansas Farm Bureau membership matters more than ever. Together, we advocate for sound policy, fight for rural infrastructure, defend property rights and give voice to the people who work the land.
Whether it’s shaping the next farm bill, opening new markets or securing resources for rural communities, Farm Bureau is working every day to protect your future — and the future of Arkansas.
Our agriculture is built on faith, family and the fierce determination to carry on — season after season, generation after generation. Markets may shift and storms may come, but nothing can shake a farmer with purpose and a community behind them.
Let’s move forward with confidence, embracing new tools, new opportunities and leaders — because the seeds planted today will become the harvests of tomorrow.
The future of Arkansas agriculture is bright. Together, we’ll keep it that way.
Talya Tate Boerner recently released her fourth book, “The Third Act of Theo Gruene.” The Front Porch columnist shared an excerpt from the novel's first chapter.
THE THIRD ACT
Talya Tate Boerner shares inspiration behind latest novel
Photos by JUSTIN ROTTON
Talya Tate Boerner is familiar to readers of Front Porch. Her Delta Child column has graced the pages of the Farm Bureau member magazine since 2014, bringing insights from a lifetime of Arkansas memories, anchored around the family farm she grew up on in Mississippi County. She now lives in Fayetteville with her husband and two schnauzers, Gracie and Annabelle (who rule the house). She thinks the Ozark Mountains are as gorgeous as any place on earth.
Q: Tell us a bit about your latest book, "The Third Act of Theo Gruene."
A: Theo is a 70-year-old retired botany professor who lives a very solitary life by choice. He has had his share of loss but is quite content living a peaceful existence. When a young girl named Penelope unexpectedly shows up on his front porch – how convenient, given the name of this magazine – during a spring thunderstorm, Theo’s “normal” is turned upside down. It’s an uplifting story about forgiveness and family, and I hope it will resonate with my Arkansas readers.
She recently released her fourth book, “The Third Act of Theo Gruene,” and we are sharing an excerpt from its first chapter in this issue of Front Porch. We asked Talya to help us explore some of the inspiration behind her writing, the rural character of her subjects and the allure of writing creatively.
Q: What does “The Third Act” mean?
A: In a story or play, the third act is usually the resolution — the slaying of Macbeth, the demise of Romeo and Juliet (although technically that happens in Act V), Dorothy defeats the Wicked Witch of the West, returns to the Emerald City, clicks her heels three times and discovers there’s no place like home.
If a person’s life is divided into three acts, the third act is the last portion. Say, ages 60-90-plus, give or take. The third act may be the empty-nest years if you have children, the retirement years — a time when we
Talya and her husband John enjoy a summer morning on the front porch of their northwest Arkansas home.
THE THIRD ACT
shift our primary focus from climbing the career ladder and juggling family commitments to other endeavors. Spending time with grandchildren. Traveling. Growing a garden.
Of course, the third act likely encompasses its own set of unique challenges, like health issues or money problems, but that’s a topic for another time.
The point I’m trying to make is that the third act of life is fuller and more robust than it was for our grandparents. Growing older is something to celebrate, too, for us and for Theo Gruene.
Q: Your first three books were either set in northeast Arkansas or had a strong tie to the state. Is this the case for "The Third Act?"
A: Yes. Although Theo grew up in Midland, Texas, he has lived in Fayetteville since 1983, when he attended graduate school at the university.
Q: You talk about Theo as though he is a real person. Is Theo based on anyone you know?
A: Theo is entirely fictional, but when I create a character and spend so much time with them, the character becomes pretty real to me. Also, it’s possible traits of various people show up in my characters because I think that may subconsciously happen when writing.
Q: "The Third Act of Theo Gruene" is your fourth book. Does writing a novel ever get easier?
A: In some ways, it does. I understand the overall process better, and hopefully, I've become a better writer. But this particular story was more of a challenge for me to write than my prior book, “Bernice Runs Away.”
Q: Why?
A: It was my first time writing from a male point of view. I had to dig deep to figure out who Theo really was. To understand what he believed as a 70-year-old educator, his likes and dislikes, the things he was passionate about and those he felt ambivalent about, from what he liked to eat to which news channel he watched. While not everyone will agree with some of Theo’s decisions and actions, I hope he will be viewed as a believable character, flaws and all.
Q: The book is set during the beginning of the pandemic. Why remind us of that particular period, one that some people would probably rather forget?
A: I know what you mean, and yes, it may have been a risk to set the story during the pandemic. However, some of the story's plot points would not have come together if not set against the backdrop of the coronavirus. I wouldn't call this a COVID story, though.
Q: "The Third Act of Theo Gruene" is connected to your first book, "The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee." Can you expand on this?
A: “The Third Act” is not a sequel to Gracie Lee’s story, but there is a secondary character who is linked to both stories. The character link probably won’t be evident to most readers, and that’s okay. As a reader myself, I think it’s fun when a character from one book shows up in another.
Q: What do you hope readers take from this story?
A: The importance of connection, especially during difficult times when we may feel lost, alone or isolated. The importance of family and that “family” may look untraditional. The magic of wonder and nature's interconnectedness. I hope readers find the story uplifting and thought-provoking and that they will recommend it to their friends.
Q: How can readers find your book?
A: I believe in supporting bookstores and public libraries, so please check there first. If my books aren’t in stock or available, ask the proprietor or librarian to order it — most are happy to do so! If you prefer to shop online, my books are available via Amazon and Barnes & Noble in paperback, hardback and e-book formats. And signed copies are available from my website, talyatateboerner.com.
Talya Tate Boerner engages with guests at a recent book signing event in northwest Arkansas.
Excerpt from Chapter One of "The Third Act of Theo Gruene"
It was an inconvenient time for a visitor, so Theo ignored the person knocking at his front door. Using stainless steel tweezers, he lifted the edges of the plant specimen and centered it over the mounting paper. Once he placed the brittle stem onto the glue, that would be that; there would be no shifting the delicate seed pod. The specimen would be preserved where he placed it for eternity. Concentration was a necessary skill.
Again, the knocking.
A storm had been building all morning so Theo told himself the howling wind was to blame for the noise. He placed the native columbine specimen onto the glue and then pressed it into place using the tip of the tweezer. Collected 20 years before his birth, it was in remarkable shape, with its pistils and stamens still intact. He read the tag that came packaged with it — West Mountain, Washington County, Dr. Demaree, February 1930.
Three more raps on the door — rat-tat-tat — rattled his mind. “Coming, coming!” Whoever was there wasn’t planning to leave. He would see to the uninvited caller and send them away.
Theo suspected it was Nita Johnson, who lived two doors down. Her husband had died several years ago, and since then, she’d made it her mission to check on him occasionally. “Just making sure you are alive in there,” she would say. Sometimes he invited her inside for a glass of iced tea or a cold beer. Theo wasn’t altogether unfriendly (or at least didn’t mean to be), but given the choice, he preferred solitude.
He opened the door with a flourish, fully prepared to explain his busyness to Nita, but instead of his neighbor, he was surprised to find a young girl standing there. She wore an oversized lime green raincoat, and her dark, luminous eyes appeared enormous through the lenses of her eyeglasses. She looked like a spring grasshopper.
“Well, now, what have we here?” Theo said, finding his voice.
I’m a person, not a thing. And the proper interrogative word for a person is who, not what.”
Theo frowned. Was this kid for real?
Again, his eyes swept the sidewalk and street in front of his house, but no one else was out on such a stormy morning. He thought of the television show What Would You Do? He watched it occasionally when he happened upon it, and it always left him wondering what his reaction might be to certain circumstances. This could be one of those situations. His first inclination was to shoo the smart-mouthed girl away, but in case John Quiñones was hiding in the hydrangeas growing around his front porch, he decided to play along. “Pardon me. I stand corrected. Who have we here?” Despite his eagerness to return to the plant specimens, Theo maintained a calm voice. By now, he was curious.
“The truth is, I missed my school bus by two measly minutes, and I can’t get back inside our house. I forgot my key, and it’s storming, and I don’t want to be struck by lightning.”
Theo had to listen carefully to keep up with her rapid-fire words.
“Would it be okay if I come inside and stay with you for a while?”
The girl blinked but said nothing. Theo thought of the plant specimens waiting for him, the mounting glue thickening in the jar on his dining room table. He glanced along the sidewalk in front of his house, expecting to see the girl’s mother waiting nearby, urging her to go on, speak up, as she attempted to sell the World’s Finest chocolate bars, or raffle tickets for an Easter ham, or whatever Lafayette Elementary School was promoting for its next fundraiser. But there was no one else around.
He crossed his arms and continued taking in the child from head to toe. The hem of her raincoat dripped water onto his doormat.
“Can I help you with something? Are you lost?” She looked lost. Or confused.
“Actually, I’m a who, not a what.”
“Come again?” It was his turn to look confused.
“When you opened the door, you said, ‘What have we here?’ But
“Me? Well, no, I don’t.”
“My mom gets off work just before noon today, and I’ll go home then.” She swiped at her glasses with wet fingertips, further smearing the lenses.
“I won’t bother you. I promise.”
Too late for that, he thought.
Shallow pools of water shimmered on the sidewalk leading from his front steps to the street. The fern he had successfully overwintered before returning to its porch hook just yesterday began spinning in the wind, its fronds whipping all around. Overnight, the March winds had blown in alright, bringing quite the quandary. He couldn’t invite a strange urchin child into his house. She could be a pickpocket or a scammer of some sort. But what if she wasn’t? He couldn’t leave her outside in such awful weather, hidden camera or not. “Well, I guess you better come inside. Let’s see if we can’t sort this out.”
The girl stepped into the foyer and slipped off her shoes. Her sockless feet looked cold, and her pale skin was tinged purple. When she noticed him frowning at the chipped blue polish on her toenails, she covered her feet with the rainbow-colored backpack she removed from her shoulders.
“Let’s start with your name,” Theo said, his interest in the child and her circumstances growing.
“Can we start with the restroom? I really need to pee. Like really, really bad.” She began to squirm, dancing almost, crossing one leg over the other, as though the urge had hit her so suddenly she might not be able to walk another step without having an accident.
Good grief. What had he gotten himself into? “Right this way.”
Theo rushed the girl through the family room toward the halfbath, just off the kitchen. After she disappeared behind the door, he heard nothing but the grumble of thunder rolling over his rooftop. Theo had not been expecting a morning thunderstorm any more than he had expected to find a young girl on his doorstep. Work had consumed him since the latest package of specimens had arrived from the university. Even the local newspaper and the weather forecast had fallen by the wayside. He had barely eaten during the past two weeks.
Soon, the toilet flushed, and he heard a rush of water from the faucet. Finally, the bathroom door opened. Having shed the green raincoat, she looked different, smaller if that was possible, a bit daintier.
She smiled. “Thank you. I feel loads better. I hope it’s okay that I left my raincoat on the hook behind the bathroom door. It’s drippy. Also, I used a hand towel to dry myself off a little bit.” She sounded relieved.
Theo nodded. “That’s fine. Now, how about we have a little visit?” He motioned toward the kitchen. She scampered to a chair and hopped into it.
“Could I possibly borrow some socks? Your floors feel completely frozen,” she said, staring at him with those huge bug-like eyes.
Theo sighed, looked at the girl’s naked toes, and then the oak floorboards running the length of the kitchen. Even though he was wearing his favorite old sneakers (as well as socks, thank you very much), he knew his floors were indeed cold. When he worked on herbarium specimens, he kept the downstairs temperature at precisely sixty-five degrees. Cooler temperatures helped preserve ancient plants.
“Do you have any green tea instead?”
Green tea? What kid preferred green tea to hot chocolate? “I can probably rustle up a bag of Lipton, but it won’t be green.”
She pushed her glasses up on her petite nose. “That would be perfect, Mr. Gruene.”
The sound of his name coming from the girl’s mouth stopped him cold. He had never met this child — he was sure of it. He’d never purchased a box of Thin Mints from her, or seen her riding bikes with the other neighborhood kids. “How do you know my name?”
“It’s right there on that envelope.” She giggled and pointed at the stack of unopened mail collected on the kitchen table.
“Oh. Of course.” It was an obvious explanation; one he would have guessed if he’d not been completely thrown by her sudden presence. Now feeling antsy about a whole host of things—a precocious child at his kitchen table; the way her eyes had quickly scanned his mail; the fact that she was now wearing an article of his clothing — he pulled the stack of envelopes toward himself protectively and straightened it. He didn’t yet know the girl’s name or age, but he knew she had no difficulty reading. She had even pronounced his German-derived surname correctly; Green, like her preferred tea.
The girl grinned as though a spare roll of toilet paper was the best news she had received in some time. “I thought you might have more, but I didn’t look. My mom says you should never ever open someone else’s bathroom cabinets.”
“Wait here. I’ll be right back.” Theo went to fetch a pair of white athletic socks from the clean pile he’d dumped on top of the dryer but had never gotten around to folding. “They’ll swallow your feet but should warm you right up,” he said, handing her the socks while experiencing the oddest out-of-body sensation. Something about the girl seemed familiar to him.
The girl thanked him and began pulling a sock over her left foot, her entire shin and knee disappearing underneath the stretchy fabric. She laughed at this, and he wondered about her age. She looked awfully young.
“Okay. How about I make you a nice cup of hot chocolate while we figure out what to do? Should we call your mother and let her know you missed the bus?” Theo disliked having his work interrupted, but relished having a problem to solve.
Theo put the kettle on and then sat across from her. “Okay. Go ahead.”
“What would you like to know?” The girl’s feet didn’t quite reach the floor, and when she swung her legs back and forth, the toes of the athletic socks flopped against the braided rug. He inhaled slowly, trying to sooth his nerves. “First off, your name. I think that would be a good place to start. Don’t you?”
“Yes, sir. I failed to introduce myself because I was dying to go to the bathroom. I’m sure you know what that’s like. It’s hard to concentrate under such desperate circumstances.”
“Well … I guess that’s — ”
“Oh, you might be interested to know you’re almost out of toilet paper. I only used two squares, and you have fourteen squares left.”
He stared into the girl’s gleaming eyes. Like a withered plant needing a deep soaking, she was rejuvenating before him, her cheeks flushing rosy now that her feet had warmed.
“I have more toilet paper under the sink,” Theo said, although he had no idea why he was telling her. Good lord, he needed to get this girl back to her mother so he could return to work. With less than three weeks until the herbarium closed for spring break, he still had over 50 specimens to mount and log into the system.
The girl grinned as though a spare roll of toilet paper was the
best news she had received in some time. “I thought you might have more, but I didn’t look. My mom says you should never ever open someone else’s bathroom cabinets.”
“Your mom sounds like a wise woman. How about we call her?”
“Oh, she is very wise, but I’m not allowed to call her at work. Not except in the case of a dire emergency,” she said, each word spoken slowly and wrapped in awe.
Theo scratched his eyebrow and thought about what to do next. He had the strangest feeling the girl would never leave. And he still didn’t know her name! When the kettle whistled, he welcomed the distraction of fetching her tea.
“Alrighty, young lady, here’s your tea. It’s very hot.” He placed the cup and saucer on the table in front of her. “Now you wait here while it cools. I’ll be right back. I need to check something.”
The dining room was his favorite room in the house; the oyster gray paint on the walls created a calm environment for working. He stirred the glue brush and was relieved the adhesive had not hardened in the jar. He allowed himself a quick moment to
admire his earlier work. The columbine specimen was incredible. Theo peeked at the next specimen waiting in the stack of old newspapers. It was another wild columbine, perfectly unspoiled, with a mass of tiny, hair-like roots still attached to the plant’s stem.
“Mr. Gruene, are you doing arts and crafts?” The girl stood so near him he could smell the fresh aroma of strawberry shampoo emanating from her rain-dampened hair. She leaned over the walnut table and peered at the fragile specimen.
“Please don’t touch anything.”
“What are you planning to do with this dead weed?”
Theo swallowed the impatience building in his throat. “This isn’t a dead weed. It’s a dried native plant specimen. My job is to preserve it for future generations.”
“Oooohhh. I’ve read about the global seed vault in the Arctic Circle, you know, the place where all the seeds from the earth’s plants are stored in case civilization is completely wiped out by a cannibal galaxy or catastrophic climate change or a humongous asteroid, and we need to start over. But I didn’t know people like
Talya Tate Boerner’s newest book, “The Third Act of Theo Gruene,” is her fourth book. The others are “The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee,” “Gene, Everywhere,” and “Bernice Runs Away.”
THE THIRD ACT
you store entire plants, roots and all.”
“I thought you were drinking your tea.” Theo folded the newspaper back over the specimen, feeling like their entire conversation had taken a Ray Bradbury turn.
“No, I’m letting it cool off. You made it too hot. Remember?”
Theo sighed. He’d specifically instructed the child to wait in the kitchen while her tea cooled, but evidently, she couldn’t follow the simplest directive. The clock on the antique sideboard began chiming. It was only nine o’clock, yet his day had already been derailed in an extremely weird way.
“Oh, cool. It’s a secret, isn’t it?”
He stared at the child, still confused about the turn his morning had taken. What was she talking about? “What do you mean?”
“This project.” She waved her hand over the stack of newspapers. “You’re working on a top-secret assignment that involves the survival of plant life in the event Doomsday happens.”
Theo chuckled. What a wild imagination this kid had! For a fleeting moment, he thought of his wife. Annie had been wildly imaginative too, and deeply concerned about the planet. Years ago, during an unseasonably hot summer, she had coordinated a neighborhood carpooling program in hopes of reducing carbon dioxide, or at least not adding to the problem of a depleting ozone layer. Even though Theo still knew very little about the girl who was studying the supplies arranged on his dining room table, he knew Annie would have taken to her instantly. The thought brought with it a familiar pang of loss. “I’m afraid my project is nothing quite so intriguing. I volunteer for the University of Arkansas, helping the herbarium preserve plants for future study.” He thought of the serene campus workspace and wished he was there, alone, his mind fully engaged in his work.
She cut her eyes at him. “If you say so.”
Theo led the girl back to the kitchen. He placed an ice cube in her still-steaming cup of tea and then went to the pantry to root out something for her to eat. She might be more forthcoming with information if he made the conversation more like school story time.
“Now then, why don’t we have a snack while you tell me your name and explain what stroke of luck brought you to my front door.” He placed a possibly stale package of peanut butter crackers in front of her and tried to remember when he had eaten last. Perhaps the entire morning was a hallucination brought on by a lack of protein.
The clock in the dining room chimed the quarter hour. Time was slipping away.
“Okay, I can do that.” She sat with a very straight back, flattened her hands on the table on either side of the teacup, and drew in a long breath, as though preparing to deliver important news. In the short time she had been inside, her hair had begun to dry to a rich auburn shade, curling and spiraling along her shoulders like a mass of vermicelli noodles. Again, he thought of the columbine waiting on his dining room table, its roots a tangled knot.
“Well, sir, my first name is Penelope.” She paused as though waiting for him to comment. When he said nothing, she continued. “I know what you’re thinking.” Again, she paused and stared at him, her eyes flashing.
“I doubt it,” he said. Despite the girl’s wide grin and charming dimples, the disruption of Theo’s morning was ballooning into a case of indigestion. Why wouldn’t the girl explain herself? He suddenly felt weary and wondered if he was missing something that should be obvious.
“You’re funny.”
“Not in the least.”
“Well, I can tell you have a contemplative side, but yes, you are decidedly funny. You may not realize it.”
Contemplative? Decidedly? Theo had never heard such large words come from a young person’s mouth. Perhaps she was older than she appeared.
“Anyway, you’re thinking, my, what an old-fashioned name for such a modern girl, right?” She opened the package of peanut butter crackers and scooted one across the table to him.
“Not really, but it is old-fashioned. I’ll give you that.” He didn’t think he’d ever met anyone named Penelope, but he liked the name. It seemed to fit her. Theo ate half of the cracker in one bite, the saltiness waking his taste buds.
“I’ve been told I was named after my great-grandmother, but I believe I was named after Odysseus’s incredibly patient wife. She was queen of Ithaca, you know.”
“Well—”
“Mr. Gruene, do you remember Queen Penelope? She waited twenty years for her husband to return from the Trojan War. The war lasted ten years, and her king, who evidently was terrible with directions, took ten long years to get home. In the meantime, Queen Penelope resisted over a hundred suitors! Can you imagine?”
He knew she was waiting for him to respond to this soliloquy, but all he could say was, “No, I cannot.”
She nodded. “Me neither. But she was definitely a faithful person.” Penelope rested her elbows on the table, her chin on her hands, and dreamily blinked her eyes. Then, jerking upright, she added, “Names are super important, don’t you think?”
Since his retirement 10 years ago, Theo’s life has been reassuringly predictable, each day unfolding much like the one before. And he liked it that way. He spent time on his herbarium work, ate lunch at Hugo’s every Friday with his buddy, Winn, and if there was a Razorback game on (his favorites being baseball, basketball, and football, in that order), he watched it on television. Sometimes, he even attended a game in person. But that morning was certainly turning out to be unlike any he’d experienced in recent memory. He never would have imagined such a strange conversation transpiring in his kitchen. Theo reckoned he was completely losing it. He shut his eyes and waited for insanity to fully claim him…
MEET THE 2025 DISTRICT FARM FAMILIES OF THE YEAR
By MADI DAINS
The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has been running since 1947 to highlight remarkable farm families throughout the state. The annual recognition begins with the selection of the top farm family in each county; from there, eight District Farm Families of the Year are selected. Judges consider the families’ farm production, conservation of energy and resources, management, family life and rural/community leadership.
The program recognizes and encourages farm families who are doing an outstanding job on their farms and in their communities, recognizes the importance of agriculture in the community and state and disseminates information on improved farm practices and management.
The eight District Farm Families were announced on June 9. They represent and encompass an array of Arkansas agriculture, the state’s largest industry.
Judges will visit these farms to determine an overall Arkansas
EAST CENTRAL DISTRICT
THE MITCHELL FAMILY
Des Arc (Prairie County)
BROTHERS DREW AND LUKE MITCHELL, with their wives Audrey and Elise Mitchell, have been farming 10 years. They grow rice, corn and soybeans across 3,950 acres. Drew and Audrey have four children: Baylor, Anniston, Rivia and Laken. Luke and Elise have one child, Lyndon.
The Mitchells are fourth-generation farmers who have implemented a minimum tillage approach and sustainable practices to combat the rises in cost of production. The brothers aim to provide a living for their family and preserve the farm for generations to come.
“I went back to the farm in 2014 and we rented our own ground in 2016,” said Drew. “Farming is what I know and I love.”
Adds Luke, “I wanted to continue the family tradition, and building on the knowledge passed down through generations.”
Farm Family of the Year, which will be announced at the Farm Family of the Year Luncheon in December.
The selected family will represent Arkansas at the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition. Arkansas has three previous Southeast Farmer of the Year winners: Brian and Nan Kirksey (Clark County), 2008; Wildy Family Farms (Mississippi County), 2016; and the Cobb, Lyerly and Owen Family/Partnership (Craighead County), 2023.
Sponsors of the 2025 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program include Arkansas Farm Bureau, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas.
Support for the program is also provided by Arkansas Agriculture Department, Arkansas FFA Association, Arkansas Press Association, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service and the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development.
(Left Photo) From left to right: Baylor, Anniston, Audrey, Rivia, Drew, and Laken Mitchell. (Right Photo) Left to right: Elise, Lyndon and Luke Mitchell.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT
THE DILLDINE FAMILY
Blytheville (Mississippi County)
DALTON AND SKIVER DILLDINE are aiming for centennial status farming on their 99-year-old heritage farm. They grow cotton, soybeans, rice and corn on roughly 6,000 acres. They have one child, Daphne.
The Dilldines have a diverse operation with multiple entities and market their own crops, aiming to be educated about the market and maintain relationships with merchandisers. They value hardships they’ve faced over the years as a testament
NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT THE HENLEY FAMILY
Evening Shade (Sharp County)
BRYAN AND MARY ELLEN HENLEY have farmed for 20 years. They grow hay and raise cattle on 530 acres. The Henleys have two children, Audra and Addley.
They retain one half of weaned calves to background and sell the others at weaning, as well as feed out calves to sell to individuals in halves or whole beef. Their young children also have a partnership with their own cattle and goats on the farm.
Bryan says he dreamed of raising cattle on land he owned, after growing up with cattle and always keeping a few since he left home. They both are honored to be farming on their own land.
“I had interest and wanted to farm at a very young age,” said Mary. “Our biggest achievement is the purchasing of our farm; having it has always been a dream of ours.”
to their resiliency and importance of their operation for their future. They also strive to be actively involved in their community through a wide array of activities.
“It is our main underlying goal to protect not only our land assets, but to be good stewards of the ground our landlords entrust us with,” they said. “By being open to any and all adventures — farm related or not — we have encountered so many opportunities in our adult lives.”
Skiver and Dalton Dilldine with their newborn, Daphne.
Mary Ellen and Bryan Henley with their daughters, Audra (left) and Addley.
2025 DISTRICT FARM FAMILIES OF THE YEAR
NORTHWEST DISTRICT THE SPEARS FAMILY
Fayetteville (Washington County)
RANDY AND DAWNA SPEARS have farmed for 45 years. They grow silage and hay, and raise cattle on 1,115 acres. They have three adult children, Melissa, Ryan and Mack.
Their farm began as a small dairy started by their parents Bob and Nadine Spears that eventually expanded significantly to support a large herd in 1991. As the dairy industry shifted, so did their operation. The Spears transitioned to a solely beef cow and feeder cattle operation, which was made easier by the equipment they had in place to grow and feed silage.
The family places emphasis on soil health and caring for the nutritional needs of their farm. Their children are actively engaged in their future including on the farm, teaching in schools and operating businesses.
“The farm’s legacy continues through the next generation,” they said. “The family’s passion for agriculture runs deep, with children and grandchildren still actively involved in showing dairy cattle at local and regional fairs.”
SOUTHEAST DISTRICT THE HOOVER FAMILY
Monticello (Drew County)
CHARLES AND CAROLYN HOOVER have farmed for 49 years. They grow hay and raise cattle on 948 acres and operate a logging business. They have two adult children, Michele and Charles.
To preserve long-term sustainability on their land, they have valued soil health, planted native and cool weather grasses, utilized rotational grazing and built stock tanks in areas with no water. Charles Hoover Sr. grew up on the farm working alongside his dad, and now both his children and grandchildren work with various aspects of the operation as well.
“Any good thing in my life is not a result of what I’ve done, but a testament to God’s grace,” said Charles. “I am truly blessed with the land, the work and most of all, my family that shares it with me.”
Charles and Carolyn Hoover surrounded by family members.
Randy (left) and Dawna Spears with family.
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT THE LOCKEBY FAMILY
Ashdown (Little River County)
SHANE AND KIM LOCKEBY have farmed for nine years. They grow hay and pecans as well as raise poultry across 616 acres. They directly market hay and litter, and have eight egg laying houses that produce millions of eggs annually.
The Lockebys are also in the early stages of implementing a yearly plan to plant hundreds of pecan trees, with over 600 already planted. Their children, alongside their families, are all very active within the community. Their Grandpa Lockeby, Shane’s dad, originally started with broiler houses in 1987.
“Growing up, we all helped work on his farm,” Shane said. “So, in 2019 when we were approached about building chicken houses, we were grateful for the opportunity to continue the legacy of farming.”
WEST CENTRAL DISTRICT THE SMITH FAMILY
Dierks (Howard County)
JARED AND CATHREN SMITH have farmed for 17 years. They raise cattle and poultry on 250 acres. The Smiths have two children, Cooper and Clara.
The family began with a small cattle herd and saved to purchase the land they own now, where they have built four chicken houses and continue to expand their cattle operation. Despite the adversity they have faced while farming, they couldn’t see themselves doing anything else. Their children are very active in daily activities on the farm and within their community.
“We love farming. This was always our goal, to be at home with our kids,” they said. “This way we are able to make a living that will be passed down to our children one day.”
Shane and Kim Lockeby surrounded by family members.
From left: Cooper, Jared, Clara and Cathren Smith.
WESTERN DISTRICT THE STATON FAMILY
Magazine (Logan County)
BRUCE AND LAURA STATON have farmed for 53 years. They grow hay and raise cattle on 1,105 acres. They have two adult children, Joe Bob and Bruce.
Through resource management, strategic planning and persistence, the Statons have been able to gradually expand their operation and live their dream every day. Bruce said they adopted the Lazy S brand in the early days of their farm in honor of his grandfather’s farm.
They began with off the farm jobs, a custom hay business and a couple broiler houses and were able to transition fully to beef cattle production in 2001. The Staton family members are each dedicated to the family farm and have a passion for staying connected to the land.
“It’s about building something lasting, raising a strong family and staying true to the traditions we both grew up with,” said Bruce. “Together, we are proud to continue that way of life.”
From left: Pacyn Reames, Emily (Staton) Reames, Eathan Staton, Carrie Staton, Joe Staton, Laura Staton, Bruce Staton, Laura Bramlett, Bruce Staton Jr., Caleb Staton, Adrian (Staton) Bramlett and Scott Bramlett.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
of Jon Laffoo n, Superintendent, Farmington School District
Story
IROTTON
n rural Arkansas, schools are more than classrooms — they’re the heart of the community. And for Farmington
Superintendent Jon Laffoon, that role is both a calling and a responsibility.
Originally from Searcy, Laffoon has spent most of his career in rural education. After leading the Star City School District through financial recovery, he and his wife moved to northwest Arkansas to be closer to family. Now at the helm of one of the state’s fastest-growing districts, he’s found a home in Farmington.
and Photos by JUSTIN
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF FARMINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT JON LAFFOO N
Superintendent Jon Laffoon stays engaged on campus during the summer by visiting children and staff attending Farmington Schools’ summer program.
“I LOVE LIVING HERE AND KNOWING THE PEOPLE,” JON LAFFOON SAYS.
“WE
STILL HAVE SMALL-TOWN VALUES — THAT’S WHAT I GREW UP WITH.”
LEADING A RAPIDLY EXPANDING district keeps Laffoon’s days full. He starts each morning with Bible study and a gratitude journal before greeting students and parents at school drop-off. From there, no two days are the same.
“You never know where you’ll be — maybe covering lunch duty or meeting with the transportation department,” he says. “I try to keep meetings in the morning so I can be present during dismissal and make sure every student gets home safely.”
Evenings often include after-school programs and events — from FFA to STEM nights and athletics.
“In rural communities, schools are often the center, and athletics is the front porch,” Laffoon explains.
That community-centered mindset drives everything the Farmington School District does. Summer programs offer childcare and academic enrichment for more than 100 students, and Laffoon says the collaboration between families and schools is key.
“We ask what our families need, and in return, they support us — whether it’s raising money for championship rings or helping with drama productions,” he says.
Laffoon’s proud of the dedication shown by Farmington’s staff, from summer tutoring to food deliveries.
“In rural districts, staff and the community step up for whatever need is there,” he says. “We’ll do whatever it takes to positively impact kids.”
That commitment recently earned Laffoon a major honor: being named the 2024–2025 Arkansas Rural Education Association North Superintendent of the Year. The recognition, nominated by fellow superintendents, is something he doesn’t take lightly.
“Any award like this is a reflection of the people around you,” Laffoon says. “It’s humbling to be nominated by peers I deeply respect.”
Still, rural education faces big challenges — especially the growing teacher shortage.
“WHAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT is the lack of teachers,” he says. “You’re seeing it across Arkansas — and now even here in northwest Arkansas.”
To address teacher retention, Farmington launched an energy savings project, installing solar panels, switching to LED lighting and implementing water conservation efforts. The $300,000 in annual savings is now used to fund teacher bonuses: $1,000 for staff with 15+ years and $750 for those with less tenure.
Even classified employees receive monthly attendancebased bonuses. “We want everyone to know they’re valued,” Laffoon says.
Looking ahead, Laffoon’s biggest challenge is managing growth. In just five years, Farmington has completed three building projects — and more are planned.
“When you grow this fast, you have to build,” he says. “We’ll need a new school soon, and we’ll need the community’s support, especially with construction costs doubling.”
He’s also focused on helping students navigate new education laws and boosting access to concurrent credit opportunities. Through it all, Laffoon remains grounded in his dedication to
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: 8-1-25. 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 and Managing Editor, Steve Eddington; All addresses same as #7. 10. Owner: Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation. 11. 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 2025. 15. Extent and nature of circulation: Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 166,424 Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 165,603 15a. Total no. of copies net press run average each issue 168,668 15b. Paid/Requested outside-county mail subscription: 165,719 (most recent 165,603). 15c. Total paid and/or requested circulation: 166,424 (most recent 165,603). 15d. e. Not Applicable. 15f. Total Distribution: 166,424 (most recent 165,603). 15g. Copies not distributed 12 (most recent 11). 15h. Total: 166,412 (most recent 165,591). 15i. Percent paid: 100%. 16. Statement of ownership will be printed in the Fall 2025/Issue 136 issue of the publication. 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager or Owner
Steve Eddington, Executive Editor Date
the role of rural schools.
“Advocate for your public schools,” he urges. “In many rural towns, the school is the largest employer. With all the change in the world, one thing we can do is stay consistent and support our schools.”
Under Laffoon’s leadership, Farmington schools are doing just that — growing with purpose, grounded in community.
to live in the communities we work.
It’s our purpose at Simmons. It’s why we do what we do. We believe good relationships are good business. Today. And every day.
Laffoon speaks with staff in anticipation of the upcoming school year and the work that needs to be done before it arrives.
County Farm Bureau Outreach
A VIEW FROM THE COUNTIES
HERE IS A QUICK LOOK at some of the activities of county Farm Bureaus across Arkansas. Their work to 1) advocate the interests of agriculture in the public arena; 2) disseminate information concerning the value and importance of agriculture; and 3) provide products and services that improve the quality of life for its members.
Soil-themed Storytime
Johnson County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee member Brooklyn Heiser, right, partnered with county extension agent Jeanie Rowbotham to conduct a soil-themed storytime for first graders. They read American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s 18th annual book of the year “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden” and made edible soil profiles.
School Donation
Columbia County Farm Bureau recently donated 1,000 meat sticks to the food pantries at Magnolia, Emerson and Taylor elementary schools as part of the ArFB Foundation and Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry Wild Game Snack Sticks Program. Representing Columbia County Farm Bureau were agent Lacey Bell, agent Stephen Zorsch, Magnolia Central Elementary Counselor Carisa Owen, Women’s Leadership Committee member/board members Caleigh Watlington and Lindsey Holtzclaw.
New Office Ribbon Cutting
Pulaski County Farm Bureau recently hosted a ribbon cutting for the opening of its fourth county office. The new office is located in Maumelle. Agents, board members, state office staff and state board members attended.
County Scholarship Revived
The Lee County Farm Bureau board recently presented its first scholarship in 10 years to Lee Senior High School student Da’Miyah Morris. There for the presentation were Traci Beene, Lee County Farm Bureau agent; Michael Stone, Lee County School District Superintendent; Da’Miyah Morris; Kerry Stiles, Lee County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee; Willie Branch, Lee Senior High School principal; and Francis Leon, Lee Senior High School counselor.
Book Donation
Independence County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee members Carolyn Hubbell (left) and Helen Williams delivered Junior Ag Readers and this year’s book of the year, “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden,” to 22 classrooms at local schools. They also donated a copy of “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden” to the Independence County Library.
Farm Friends
The Washington County Extension Office’s annual “Farm Friends” event in Fayetteville introduces the public to agriculture. Farm animals, milking, wool spinners and education displays attracted several hundred folks from Northwest Arkansas.
Teacher
Appreciation Meal
Searcy County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee member Sally Wilson (left) and co-chairs JoDee Hayes and Phyllis Clark (right) recently delivered homemade lunch and desserts to the Marshall High School staff to show their appreciation during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Fishing Derby
WLC Tab Collection
Several County Women’s Leadership Committees (WLC) are collecting can tabs to help support the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Pictured are Scott County WLC members Tia Broderick and Linda Parish, board member Frankie Watson and Farm Bureau agency manager Roger Thompson.
Searcy County Farm Bureau agents Woodie Methvin and Rose Housley, along with Claims Field Supervisor Evan McCallister, enjoyed a day cooking and serving the Marshall School District 5th and 6th grades at the fishing derby held at Raccoon Springs City Park.
KNOW YOUR FOOD
Arkansas school districts add Elementary-age Ag Curriculum
By JULIA DESALVO
North Little Rock preschooler Nova Cooney’s heart races as her big brown eyes lock on the fluffy lamb.
Despite her desire to feed the lamb, a speck of fear flashes across her face, as she's never been near a farm animal. Cooney hesitantly inches closer with feed in hand as a teacher encourages every step, until a final shuffle of sparkly, silver sandals put her within reach.
There’s a gasp before unease turns to ecstasy as the lamb eats from her palm. A squeal of delight and colossal smile, followed by real jumps for joy.
Cooney isn’t the only child in Arkansas to have little familiarity with the farm. Surveys show 7% of American adults believe chocolate milk comes from brown cows.
“With so many generations removed from the farm, consumers don’t understand where food comes from,” says Donette Spann, director of Ag in the Classroom at Arkansas Farm Bureau (ArFB). “There are many groups out there educating, but we still have tons of kids who don’t know.”
Beginning this fall, ArFB is launching the Arkansas Elementary Agriculture Education Pilot Program. A three-component model comprised of Classroom/ Laboratory Instruction, Experiential Learning and Personal and Leadership Development will afford kindergarten through 6th graders hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities to sow seeds for the future of agriculture.
“I can’t wait to help pioneer this and be the only elementary ag-specific teacher,” says Lamar School District teacher Gracie Hewat. “It’s a great opportunity for Arkansas ag education in general.”
Participation in the pilot program required attendance at a professional development workshop at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Center in Little Rock. It featured introductions to agricultural literacy and standards, plus a comprehensive look at detailed lesson plans created and presented by Lynn Wallin from Utah State University’s National Center for Ag Literacy. The education specialist developed a curriculum aligning with Arkansas’s new standards, not only for agriculture but also science, social studies and health and nutrition standards.
(Right) Arkansas Farm Bureau aims to expand agricultural education this fall with the Arkansas Elementary Agriculture Education Pilot Program. A three-component model comprised of Classroom/ Laboratory Instruction, Experiential Learning and Personal and Leadership Development will afford elementary students hands-on, inquiry-based learning to sow seeds for the future.
Schools of various sizes were selected from across the state to pilot the program. The 15 participating school districts are:
• Alma Public Schools
• Arkansas Virtual Academy
• Atkins School District
• Calico Rock School District
• Cave City School District
• Cedar Ridge Schools
• Elkins School District
• Izard County STEM School District
• Kirby School District
• Lamar School District
• Monticello School District
• Nettleton Public Schools
• North Little Rock School District
• Pangburn School District
• Wynne School District
(Left) Utah State University’s Lynn Wallin helped develop curriculum aligning with Arkansas’s new standards, not only for agriculture but also science, social studies, and health and nutrition standards.
“WITH SO MANY GENERATIONS REMOVED FROM THE FARM, CONSUMERS DON’T UNDERSTAND WHERE FOOD COMES FROM.”
—
Donette Spann,
director of Ag in the Classroom at Arkansas Farm Bureau.
"IT’S AN IMPORTANT THING Arkansas has chosen to do,” says Wallin. “I think it’s going to be really successful, and other states are going to say we need to do what Arkansas did.”
Georgia is the only other state with a curriculum similar to what Arkansas is implementing.
Arkansas Department of Education leadership also spoke to teachers at the workshop. Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva and Division of Career & Technical Education Director Ross White expressed their gratitude to educators for being at the forefront of this program.
“(Teachers) giving up your time in the summer to perfect your craft is what makes the profession special and the opportunity for our students to do even greater,” Oliva said.
Five lesson plans per grade are available to the 22 teachers at participating schools. Wallin will publish five more for the spring semester in January. Standards for the program center around four domains: Agricultural Systems; Foundations of Agriculture; Leadership and Career Readiness; and Natural Resource Systems. The three-year pilot program will collect data from students before, during and after to measure its impact.
Participating schools will follow the same standards but have freedom on how to implement them. Lamar’s longstanding commitment to agriculture education is evident in its award-winning high school program. The district hired Hewat following its acceptance to the pilot program. She’s Arkansas’s first full-time elementary ag teacher.
Lamar’s creation of the position specifically for the program reflects not only its commitment to agriculture education but also community values. Elementary Principal Jessica Hughes, Instructional Facilitator Nikki England and Counselor Sara Davis agree agriculture has, and continues to be, important to the area’s culture. Most students have ties to agriculture through livestock show projects or farming relatives. Furthering that knowledge at school represents a chance to capitalize on student interest and educate in a way that promotes the Lamar community.
Hewat will meet with kindergarten, first and second graders bi-weekly, and the remaining grades weekly. Her goal is to ensure every student has an opportunity to engage with agriculture, and offer an early discovery of career pathways.
Other districts like North Little Rock are taking a different approach. Previously known as Seventh Street Elementary, the district created a community advisory board to select a theme and rename its agriculture-focused elementary school, settling on the NLR 6 Academy of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences. There was little, if any, agriculture education prior to the renaming but the school now boasts hydroponics lessons and a community garden.
Now, NLR is eager to advance agricultural literacy with the
Arkansas Farm Bureau Pilot Program and will incorporate agriculture into other existing classes. Whether through reading agriculture books or drawing pictures of the school’s community garden, the district’s objective is to integrate agriculture education into its everyday curriculum.
NLR’s District Coordinator Shanda Macon says the pilot program aligns with the district’s E-4 transformational model: Expose, Explore, Expand and Excel. Expose and Explore aim to introduce young students to career pathways early-on. Other steps support high school students searching for fulfilling careers. Macon also says the district is excited to highlight agriculture to its predominantly urban student population. Innovation Coach Dr. Reginald Wilson will oversee implementation of the program.
Parents and community members are also expressing their support, highlighting the program’s statewide endorsement.
“I wish this would’ve been an opportunity when I was a little girl,” says Amber Deen, second grade teacher and mother of three students in the Lamar School District. “The pilot program is going to be great for all kids, and they won’t have to wait for high school to figure out if agriculture is what they like or not.”
The hope is through the early introduction to agriculture, the next generation will have greater understanding of where their food comes from.
Following the pilot, the goal is for the program to become a permanent option for all elementary schools across the state. Making it permanent will require like-minded partners. ArFB teamed up with the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Services and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service for the pilot program.
“This was a grassroots effort that originated with our Benton County Farm Bureau,” says Spann. “It became a priority for the Farm Bureau, and we lobbied for it. State legislators approved it with a vote of 128-0 in 2023.”
“If I could write my dream job, this would be it,” Hewat says. “I was very excited when Lamar was accepted as a pilot school for this program and they hired (me) specifically for elementary ag. I’m very thankful for the Farm Bureau because they are providing us not only with great resources but the education we need to know what we’re doing this fall.”
Much like Cooney’s interaction with the lamb, agriculture education is exciting and impactful on students. As the program continues to develop, the interactive approach will allow for more experiences like Cooney had, where fear and misconceptions turn to joy and genuine interest. Regardless if students grow up to be farmers or ranchers, or even industry leaders, the next generation will have a greater understanding of where their food and fiber comes from because of the program.
Clockwise from top: Whether through reading agriculture books or drawing pictures of the school’s community garden, the objective is to integrate agriculture education into everyday curriculum at North Little Rock 6 Academy of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences; Participation in the pilot program required attendance at a professional development workshop July 8-9 at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Center in Little Rock. Five lessons plans per grade are available to the 22 teachers at participating schools; Lamar School District’s longstanding commitment to agriculture education, evident by its award-winning high school program, hired Gracie Hewat following the district’s acceptance to the pilot program. She’s Arkansas’s first full-time elementary ag teacher.
FALL FAVORITES
Taste Arkansas
Fall Recipes from Urbana Farmstead
/ By SHAYLEE WALLACE BARBER
THE ARKANSAS FARM TRAIL was created to help people discover the source of the food they consume. The trail gives Arkansans the opportunity to meet the farm families who grow the food we eat and create lasting memories traveling the state.
Those traveling the Arkansas Farm Trail will notice the diverse operations scattered along the way, from large-scale beef farms and you-pick orchards to small homesteads and permanent storefronts.
Urbana Farmstead is a unique stop on the trail, featuring a dream culinary kitchen, garden, high tunnel and store. We recently stopped by to try some cuisine and gather ingredients for the latest edition of Taste Arkansas, and were not disappointed.
Deep Sicilian roots combined with a love for travel, agriculture and cooking are all at the heart of Urbana Farmstead. Margie Raimondo is an author and expert Sicilian travel guide, and the owner, urban farmer and chef at Urbana Farmstead. As the daughter of Italian immigrants, she grew up in the kitchen, gardening and canning, and now she works to put a piece of her heart and heritage in kitchens across Arkansas.
At Urbana Farmstead, Raimondo hosts cooking classes, canning classes, high teas and events to make any foodie envious. In addition to her kitchen, Raimondo’s garden and high tunnel allow her to grow her own food; her farm stand shines with local food, as well as some of her favorite Italian imports such as pastas and oils. Raimondo says that food feels like her love language.
Fall is a great time to visit her farm stand, and with a likely abundance of seasonal vegetables, one you might not typically reach for is the eggplant. Raimondo showed us how to make some of her favorite starters with eggplant and we also shopped her farm stand for the ingredients to make a main dish. With a nod to her roots, we enjoyed eggplant fingers and baba ghanoush in her kitchen, and made Pasta alla Norma featuring staples and fresh veggies from Urbana Farmstead.
Raimondo’s eggplant recipes are all simple enough for any home cook, but delicious enough to wow a crowd. The perfect pairings for a cool fall evening, we hope these dishes make you feel like you’ve been on a trip to Sicily.
Visit arfarmtrail.com to learn more.
Margie Raimondo’s Urbana Farmstead features a culinary kitchen, garden, chickens, high tunnel and farmstand. Pictured is Margie harvesting and preparing eggplants, which she says are perfect for fall dishes.
BABA GHANOUSH
INGREDIENTS
• 2 large eggplants
• 2–3 tablespoons tahini (to taste)
• 2 cloves garlic, (roasted or raw, to taste) minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
• Salt to taste
Optional: sumac, fresh parsley or paprika for taste
INSTRUCTIONS
• Roast the eggplant
Option 1: Stovetop or grill – Place the eggplants directly over a gas burner or on the grill grates. Roast for 10 – 12 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs, until the skins are blistered and blackened and the flesh is soft and collapsed. This gives the dip its signature smoky flavor.
PASTA ALLA NORMA
INGREDIENTS
• 1 large eggplant
• ½ sweet onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 box/bag of rigatoni pasta
• 1 large jar of tomato sauce (we recommend Margie’s “Simply Sicilian”)
• 1 can of stewed tomatoes
• 4-5 fresh basil leaves (chopped)
• Ricotta salata to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
• Dice eggplant into ½ inch to 1-inch cubes, chop onion and garlic.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet and saute the eggplant, onion and garlic on medium to low heat until soft.
Option 2: Oven – Place whole eggplants on a baking sheet. Roast at 450°F (230°C) for 3545 minutes, until the meat is wrinkled, soft and slightly collapsed.
• Let the roasted eggplants cool slightly. Once manageable, peel off the charred skin. It's okay if a little charred skin remains — it adds flavor.
• Slice the eggplant open and gently pull out the larger stringy clumps of seeds if desired. Don't worry about removing every seed — just enough to reduce bitterness and wateriness.
• Transfer the eggplant flesh to a food processor. Add tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Blend until smooth but still slightly textured. Taste and adjust lemon, salt or tahini to your liking.
• Add other seasonings and herbs to taste.
• Spoon into a shallow bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish as you like. Serve with warm pita, vegetables or use as a spread in sandwiches and wraps.
• While the vegetables are cooking, boil pasta according to package directions.
• When the pasta is done and the vegetables are soft, combine with the tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes and chopped basil.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper and top with shredded or crumbled ricotta salata to taste.
EGGPLANT FINGERS
INGREDIENTS
• 2 medium eggplants
• 1/2 cup milk or water
• 1-2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup grated parmesan (optional for added crispiness and flavor)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Preferred seasonings (dried roasted garlic, dill or crushed red pepper works great)
• Oil for frying (vegetable oil works well)
INSTRUCTIONS:
• Wash and cut the eggplant into fingerlike sticks (about 3–4 inches long, ½ inch thick). Place them in a colander and sprinkle generously with salt. Let them sit for 30 minutes to draw out bitterness and excess moisture, then pat dry with a clean towel.
• Mix milk, salt, pepper and preferred seasonings.
• Place eggplant fingerlings into milk and allow to sit for five minutes.
• Place flour into a shallow dish and dredge eggplant fingerlings in flour (shake off excess). Press gently so the flour sticks.
• Heat about ¼ inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• When oil is hot, add eggplant fingers in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the eggplant fingers in batches until golden brown and crispy (about 2–3 minutes per side).
• Drain and add any additional seasonings.
• Serve them hot with a sauce such as garlic yogurt dip, marinara or hot sauce or a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Tip: You can also cut and fry eggplant as medallions instead of fingerlings.
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