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FRONT PORCH O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F A R K A N S A S F A R M B U R E A U F E D E R AT I O N

U P F RO M TH E A S HE S +

THE SMITHS' RESILIENT RISE TO 2025 FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR

8 DISTRICT WINNERS COMPETING FOR 2026 AWARD 2026 / ISSUE 140

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FRONT PORCH

CONTENTS

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

5 / My View From the Front Porch

20 / Day in the Life: Rural Water's Brian Kirksey

7 / Supporting Farmers Strengthens America

26 / View from the Counties

8 / Cover Story: Up from the Ashes

30 / Taste Arkansas

Dan Wright

Jarrod Yates

The Smiths' Resilient Rise to 2025 Farm Family of the Year Chad Hooten

16 / District Farm Families of the Year Meet the 2026 Honorees

Justin Rotton

Outreach and Education Across Arkansas

Berkeley Farm Store's Butternut Squash Pizza Shaylee Wallace Barber

FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140

32 / American Farm Bureau Federation Council of Presidents Meeting Jay Robbins

34 / Delta Child Talya Tate Boerner

8 30

MY VIEW FROM THE FRONT PORCH

WHY AMERICA STILL NEEDS A FARM BILL DAN WRIGHT / ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT

ne of my favorite things while sitting on the porch is watching the rhythm of farm life. Some mornings are peaceful and still. Other mornings are filled with the sound of tractors cutting hay, cattle moving through the pasture or a turkey gobbling somewhere in the distance. Life on the farm has a way of reminding us that while hard work and careful planning are essential, there is always an element of uncertainty. We can prepare the soil, plant the seed, and care for our livestock, but we cannot control the weather, world markets or the unexpected challenges that seem to come with every growing season. As I write this column, Congress is still working toward completing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, otherwise known as the farm bill. When I travel across Arkansas, people sometimes ask me if agriculture still needs a farm bill. It’s a fair question, especially for those who don’t work in agriculture on a daily basis or see how closely farming is connected to the food on their tables. From where I sit, the answer is an easy one. The farm bill has never been just about farmers. It is about ensuring that every American continues to enjoy a safe, abundant and affordable food supply. Whether you live on a farm, in a small town or in the heart of a large city, you benefit from a strong and dependable agricultural economy. Agriculture is unlike any other business. Farmers and ranchers make decisions months before harvest without knowing what prices they receive or what the weather will bring. Droughts, floods, hurricanes, disease outbreaks and global events can change everything almost overnight. Unlike many businesses, farmers cannot simply raise prices when expenses increase. They operate in a global marketplace where uncertainty is part of everyday life. That is why the Farm Bill matters. It does not guarantee anyone a profit, nor should it. Instead, it provides the tools that help producers manage risks beyond their control. Crop insurance, disaster assistance, conservation programs, agricultural research and rural development all work together to strengthen agriculture and the rural communities that help feed our nation. The benefits of the farm bill extend far beyond the fence rows. Every trip to the grocery store is a reminder of what a stable agricultural system provides. When farmers have the ability to recover from droughts, floods, hurricanes and other disasters, food production continues. That helps keep grocery store shelves stocked, reduces the likelihood of severe shortages and helps protect consumers from even higher food prices. While no law can prevent every challenge, a strong farm bill helps preserve one of America’s greatest blessings — a safe, reliable and affordable food supply. The farm bill also invests in the future of rural America through agricultural research, broadband expansion, water infrastructure,

conservation and economic development. Healthy rural communities strengthen our entire nation because they produce the food, fiber, fuel and natural resources that every American depends upon. As Congress continues its work, I hope lawmakers remember that this legislation reaches far beyond the boundaries of the farm. It is about food security, economic stability and our nation’s future. Food security is national security, and we should never take for granted the remarkable agricultural system that feeds our country every day. From my view on the porch, America still needs a strong farm bill — not because farmers are asking for special treatment, but because every family depends on a secure and dependable food supply. A well-crafted farm bill helps ensure that those who produce our food have the tools they need to navigate uncertain times, while consumers continue to enjoy the blessings of affordable, abundant food. In my humble opinion, that’s something worth protecting — not just for today, but for generations to come. “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.” — 2 Timothy 2:6 (NIV)

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

FRONT PORCH OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Official membership publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation mailed to more than 160,000 member families. SUBSCRIPTIONS Included in membership dues ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU OFFICERS: President / Dan Wright, Waldron Vice President / Magen Allen, Bismarck Secretary/Treasurer / Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart Executive Vice President / Jarrod Yates, Benton DIRECTORS: 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 Clay Parker, Carlisle Justin Story, Cauthron Executive Editor / Rob Roedel Editor / Chad Hooten Contributing Writers / Shaylee Wallace Barber, Justin Rotton, Talya Tate Boerner ADVERTISING Contact Arkansas Farm Bureau for advertising rates (501) 228-1274 Issue #140 Publisher assumes no responsibility for 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.

Front Porch (USPS 019-879) is published quarterly by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation 10720 Kanis Road, Little Rock, AR 72211 Periodicals Postage paid at Little Rock, Ark. 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.

FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140

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. 4, 2026, at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Horner Hall in Hot Springs, Arkansas. 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

MORE THAN A MEAL: WHY SUPPORTING FARMERS STRENGTHENS AMERICA JARROD YATES / ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

very day, Americans make hundreds of choices. Some are big, many are small. Among the most important, though often overlooked, are the choices we make at the grocery store and around the dinner table. Food is one of the few things that connects every American, every single day. Many Arkansans are generations removed from the farms and ranches that produce it. We expect grocery store shelves to be stocked, restaurants to serve fresh meals and affordable food to be readily available. That reliability exists because of the hard work and resilience of America’s farm families. Agriculture is more than an industry. It is the foundation of our nation’s food security, rural communities and the economy. Here in Arkansas, agriculture is the state’s largest industry, supporting thousands of jobs while producing rice, poultry, soybeans, cotton, cattle and dozens of other commodities that feed and clothe people around the world. But agriculture is about more than economics. It is about national security. A nation that cannot feed itself becomes overly dependent on others. History has repeatedly shown that countries relying heavily on foreign food supplies become vulnerable during times of conflict, natural disasters and global instability. America’s ability to produce an abundant, safe and affordable food supply is a strategic advantage that should never be taken for granted. Farmers face challenges that most consumers never see. Weather extremes, rising input costs, labor shortages, trade uncertainty and fluctuating markets affect their ability to produce the food we depend on. Despite challenges, farmers continue planting crops, raising livestock and poultry and investing in the next generation because they believe in feeding their neighbors and strengthening their communities. Consumers play an important role in that partnership. Supporting American agriculture doesn’t require owning farmland or driving a tractor. It can be as simple as learning where your food comes from, choosing products grown in the United States when possible, visiting local farmers markets, thanking a farmer or taking time to teach children about agriculture. These everyday actions help bridge the growing gap between consumers and those who produce our food. Perhaps most importantly, we should recognize the value of policies that keep American agriculture strong. Farmers need access to reliable markets, sound infrastructure, research, conservation tools and a stable business environment that allows them to continue producing food for generations to come. Investing in agriculture is an investment in our country’s future. The men and women who work the fields and care for our livestock and poultry are not looking for recognition. They

simply want the opportunity to continue doing what they love: producing food, fiber and fuel while leaving the land better than they found it. The next time you gather around the table with family and friends, take a moment to consider the people who made that meal possible. Behind every loaf of bread, every glass of milk, every serving of rice and every steak is a farm family committed to providing for America. Showing appreciation for farmers isn’t just about saying “thank you.” It’s about recognizing that a secure food supply, a strong agricultural economy and thriving rural communities are essential to the strength of our nation. Arkansas Farm Bureau supports Arkansas farmers and farmers across our great country. These efforts do more than support agriculture. We are investing in America’s future, protecting our national security and ensuring that generations to come continue to enjoy one of the safest, most abundant food supplies in the world.

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

“MY BACK AND ARMS ARE STRONG AND CAN DO THE WORK IF GOD GIVES ME A CHANCE, BUT HE HAD TO HEAL OUR HEARTS.” — Cathren Smith AERAERRE By ???

PHOTO BY JUSTIN ROTTON

FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140 139

Cover Story

UP FROM THE

ASHES

The Smiths’ Resilient Rise to 2025 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Chad Hooten

t was the Smiths’ journey to the title that makes Arkansas’s reigning Farm Family of the Year most deserving. They were wowed watching other finalists’ video stories, though, and even wagered on which family with bigger and fancier operations would win. Jared Smith disregarded directions for all finalists to prepare an acceptance speech just in case. Disbelief covered their faces when the emcee named them as the winners, but in that moment, Cathren’s mind slipped into a time warp. “It was like everything came together at once, kind of like a fulfillment of everything as I stood on that stage with Jared,” she says. “It’s hard to explain unless you know our history.”

SHIVERING BY THE FIRE

PHOTOS BY MATTHEW MAGDEFRAU

CATHREN STOOD SHIVERING in the dark five years earlier, more from shock than the autumn air, before bending over and vomiting on the driveway. Her dad would arrive, see the new house burning and suffer a heart attack. Cooper (11), wearing only black Reebok underwear, and Clara (10), in her baby blue Disney queen “Elsa” pajamas, were safe but horrified. Their eyes wide open with fear and crying in the cab of their grandparents’ truck when their mom’s best friend, Charlie Brewer, showed up and hugged them. The cattle, hay and chicken farm familiar with disaster in Dierks (pop. Then Brewer found Cathren. 874), sits one hour north of Texarkana “I remember taking my jacket and 25 miles from the Oklahoma border. off, giving it to Cathren and just rubbing her back,” Brewer says. “You can’t say anything. You can’t say it’s OK. I’ve never been there. I’ve never lost everything. I just kept rubbing her back and telling her I love her.” Brewer and her husband, Derek, stayed past sunrise, hours after dejected firemen and dozens from the community left. Her friend’s ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

UP FROM THE ASHES

dream house smoldered, and the American Red Cross would journey to a farm it had visited before.

COWS FLY, CAN’T SWIM THE CATTLE, HAY and chicken farm familiar with disaster in Dierks (pop. 874), sits one hour north of Texarkana and 25 miles from the Oklahoma border. Arkansas’s deadliest day of tornadoes March 21, 1952, killed 111 statewide, including eight in Dierks. All eight died on the Smiths’ current farm, including Cathren’s grandpa’s first wife and his niece’s infant. The Red Cross helped those hurt by the high winds, including Cathren’s uncle Ray Allen. Allen was 4 years old and found in a tree where he saw things most never imagine. “I didn’t know cows could fly,” the toddler said. The cattle couldn’t get high enough in the spring of 2019, creating another catastrophe on the farm. Regional floods caused Rock Creek to swell into Cathren’s dad’s pasture, drowning 27 cows, 59 calves and two bulls (a $72,000 value in 2019). The following year came the sudden, overwhelming fire. Ray Reynolds answered the phone around 9 p.m. on Oct. 13, 2020, to hear Cathren’s distraught screams: “Pastor, my house is on fire! It’s burning! It’s burning right now!” Sondra Reynolds’ husband got in the car and likely broke laws en route to an inferno visible for miles. “If he’d got there and been told they were in the fire, he would’ve gone in,” she says. “We just always looked at them like family. In fact, we had been to their new house for dinner just a week earlier. It was beautiful. They were so proud of it.”

A PLACE TO BURN IRONICALLY, THE SMITHS’ FARM was a dump — the Dierks City Landfill for decades. It was the place where people unloaded invaluable stuff to burn. The old junkyard made up the road-front portion of the Smiths’ 70-acre farm expansion purchase in 2017 from Weyerhaeuser. Under the driveway are hundreds of buried tires. Stomp on a shovel in the Bermuda pasture nearest Highway 70 and you’ll uncover shattered glass, rotting furniture and refrigerators. Cathren’s husband, Jared, was running a heavy equipment business with her brother and dad at the time and enjoyed access to an excavation arsenal. Jared went to work on the “dump” with a backhoe while Cathren and elementaryaged Cooper drove dozers, pushing dirt over acres of trash. Transforming the property took four years. Construction was slow on the house that followed as well. It was built on a hill, further from the road and a labor of love. Electricians, plumbers, concrete and HVAC workers were hired, but the Smiths built most of it alone. Cathren served as architect, designing the home and drawing the plans. “I know how long it took and how hard they worked,” says Charlie Brewer. “It wasn’t just a house they hired someone to build. All four of them worked their rear ends off, and they would save money for projects. When they saved enough money to build cabinets, they added cabinets and so on. That’s the way they did it.” The Smiths finally celebrated, moving in on Valentine’s Day, 2020. Eight months later, and just two days after Cathren turned 31, the house was gone.

The Smith family farm continues to grow, spanning 250 acres with 134 Angus-cross cattle and eight broiler houses. PHOTO BY MATTHEW MAGDEFRAU

10 FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140

(Top photo) God's word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8) and Jared Smith's copy was found in the rubble. It's the Smiths' only photo from the fire.

The Smiths proudly built their dream home, moving in on Valentine’s Day, 2020. It burned eight months later.

BEGGING FOR FORGIVENESS CATHREN SCORED a new Chevy Tahoe for her birthday a few days early that year, but another lady crashed into it the same day in Texarkana. The Tahoe was taken to a body shop, leaving an open spot in the Smiths’ garage as Cathren awaited a rental car replacement. Jared decided to park his side-by-side in the garage’s vacancy the first night. The ATV, less than a year old, somehow caught fire and ignited the garage. Clara was in bed and Cooper undressing with the shower warming. In a panic, Cooper left the water running and his clothes behind as the family hurried out of the house. Jared sprinted to his track hoe, aiming to detach the garage from the end of the house, but it was too late. Flames had spread to the attic and the house was engulfed when firefighters arrived. Charlie Brewer remembers seeing Jared’s face lit by swirling fire truck and emergency vehicle lights. “He was trying to hold it together, but you could tell he was distraught,” Charlie Brewer says. “He was standing there watching and you could just tell he was thinking ‘What am I going to do?’ He was worried, didn’t know what he was going to do to fix it. I know he beat himself up for a long time after that, and it took an emotional toll on Cathren.” Despite being depressed and anxious from trauma, Cathren says she “never once blamed Jared.” Yet as Jared’s anguish lingered, he repeatedly asked Cathren for forgiveness while their children fought flashback nightmares, regularly awakening in terror.

(Bottom photo) The Smiths rebuilt in 2022. Cathren Smith made a meaningful contribution, grabbing a nail to inscribe the lip of the garage’s concrete pad when it was poured.

“‘Why did I cause this?’ is the question that ran through my mind for months,” Jared says. Cathren recalls not being able to do small things like brush her teeth because she didn’t have a brush and emotionally shares her children couldn’t, either. And she says, “It’s one of the most humbling things to be wearing someone else’s clothes.”

HEALING WATER, HELPING HANDS TO HEAL, THE SMITHS moved their camper from the farm to Dierks Lake where they lived for four months. It was just 5 miles north so they could still check on their chickens and cattle, but the change in scenery and togetherness fostered healing. Clara felt safe again, especially sleeping in the same bed as Cooper. “We didn’t have a house so that camper became our safe place,” Clara says. “We all got closer to God, and I found safety in being with my brother. We still try to get that camping spot when we go to the lake.” The Smiths planned to leave their campsite after three months but someone “came along and paid for us to stay another month,” Cathren says. “We had lots of people do things like that for us, and we never knew who they were. People would buy our lunch, and we never knew who.” Motivation for a couple of cash gifts could be traced, though. The pastor of Holly Creek Baptist Church in Dierks

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

UP FROM THE ASHES

Clara Smith (15) cheers on the sidelines this fall for Dierks High. She owns 22 cows and two bulls, including registered black angus “Lane Frost.” Clara showed him for the first time at this year's Howard County Fair.

earreaew. PHOTOS BY ???

Cooper Smith (16) plays football, prefers baseball but absolutely loves agriculture. He already owns 11 cattle, a pickup, welder and an account at the farmers co-op.

12 FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140

Cathren and Jared Smith maintain an organized and ultra-clean farm. “She bleaches their computer room,” says friend Charlie Brewer. “It smells good, and it’s in a chicken house!”

showed up shortly after the fire with a $2,500 check and an unknown man gave the Smiths $500. “Jared had done all kinds of stuff to help people that I didn’t know about until after the fire,” Cathren says. More than a decade earlier, the steeple atop Holly Creek Baptist was causing leaks and needed removing. Jared heard about it and showed up with his crane truck to lift it off so the roof could be repaired. He refused payment, but the church remembered. Jared forgot about pulling over years earlier to help a man whose square hay bales spilled off his trailer into the road. The gentleman remembered, though, and when he found out whose house burned, he pulled in the Smiths’ driveway with $500. “You don’t realize the people you touch in your day-to-day,” Jared says. “It’s best to help when you can help.” Charlie Brewer organized a community fundraiser and silent auction to benefit the Smiths at Dierks City Park. Plates of food and pies were auctioned, and a line of folks gave cash out of their pockets as they passed where the Smiths were seated. The American Psychological Association says leaning into community support is key to emotional recovery after a residential fire. “We were overwhelmed with love,” Cathren says. Jared sensed an “indescribable peace” the Sunday after the fire as people surrounded his family at church to pray. Yet, it took lots of time and some counseling with Pastor Reynolds at deer camp for Jared to accept the fire wasn’t his fault. “I begged Jared to quit blaming himself,” Cathren says. “When he finally did, I felt the Lord had healed him and He healed us, and we could go back to being best friends.”

OF COURSE IT STARTED AT THE COUNTY FAIR CATHREN GRADUATED from diminutive Dierks High School (41 seniors in her 2008 graduating class) while Charlie Brewer attended 19 miles south at Class 4A Nashville. But they became fast friends in 2005 when they met as teens at the Howard County Fair in Nashville. “Cathren was so outgoing and fun, always in a good mood and smiling, and I could tell she had a very giving heart,” Brewer says. A year later at the fair, after guiding her Charolais heifer “Josie Mae” with a black halter to Grand Champion, one of Cathren’s competitors introduced her to their big brother. Kasey Smith’s sibling Jared made the acquaintance in worn out jeans and a khaki-colored Wrangler work shirt. He shared a burger, fries and sweet tea at lunch with his future wife while sitting on the tailgate of his new, gold-colored, long wheelbase Chevy truck.

Cooper Smith started driving dozers as a 7-year-old. He helped transform the Dierks City Landfill from 2017 to 2021 into pasture at the home of Arkansas’ reigning Farm Family of the Year.

Cathren Smith, who was once told “I sound like cornbread when I talk,” often deep fries farm fresh bull testicles for the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. “It’s the most redneck thing we do, but hey, they’re good,” she laughs. “When they float to the top, they’re ready!”

“I met Jared Smith when I was almost 16 years old and I’ve been in love with him ever since, about 20 years now, including 18 years of marriage,” says Cathren, with her voice starting to quiver. “I would not redo it with anyone else. He has given me a home and a farm. I wanted a farm my whole life, and I think I have the prettiest one (in Southwest Arkansas).” The Smiths married June 7, 2008, five days after Cathren graduated from Dierks. Cathren says “we were just kids,” but she brought 70 acres and 23 cattle into the marriage. At 16, she signed a loan at First State Bank in Dierks to acquire land that once belonged to her great, great aunt Katie Hester and a house built on it in 1905. Cathren’s dad co-signed and gave her the small herd, which she used to graze the land and help make loan payments. “When I came along, the loan amount was $157,000,” Jared says. They tied the knot on the 1905 house’s front porch and lived in it the first decade of their marriage. Cooper was born in

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

UP FROM THE ASHES

Cathren and Jared Smith met 20 years ago at the Howard County Fair. Cooper (16) and Clara (15) are pursuing agricultural careers.

2009 and Clara in 2011. Jared worked on the road with heavy equipment while Cathren took care of the children and farm.

FASTING AND PRAYING WORK THE SMITHS BEGIN EACH YEAR with 21 days of fasting and prayer based on the practice of Old Testament prophet Daniel. It includes more vegetables, less electronics and specific prayer requests. Since Jared was often on the road working, sometimes three weeks at a time, the family started asking God in 2017 for a way to keep him home. “We needed a way for more income,” Jared says. The Smiths say being able to secure the land, including the dump, near their other property required divine intervention because Weyerhaeuser so rarely sells land. They were able to build four broiler houses on it in 2019 and add four more last year. Their flocks thrive with excellent care and provide manure for greener pastures to fatten cattle. Jared was able to retire from the road in 2024 and now works full-time on the farm. Tyson delivers 226,800 chicks every 10 weeks, and the Smiths consistently finish high on the integrator’s top producers’ lists. They’ll raise 70 calves this year as they continue growing the herd. “We’re together at home a lot,” Cathren says. “That’s what 14 FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140

farming provides for our family, and if we need to take off for a ballgame or something like that for the kids, we can.” Cooper plays football, prefers baseball but absolutely loves agriculture. He already owns 11 cattle, a pickup, welder and has an account at the farmers co-op. Clara cheers on the sidelines this fall for Dierks High, owns 22 cows and two bulls, including registered black angus “Lane Frost.” She showed him for the first time at this year's Howard County Fair.

HOPE WILL ARISE THE SMITHS REBUILT in 2022, investing less time and love in another new house. Cathren took a moment to make a meaningful contribution to the home, though, grabbing a nail to inscribe the lip of the garage’s concrete pad when it was poured. It reads “From the Ashes, HOPE Will Arise,” lyrics of a worship song referencing scriptures that declare ashes are never the end for believers, starting with Job’s afflictions and continuing through Israel’s exile and, finally, Jesus Christ’s resurrection. “My back and arms are strong and can do the work if God gives me a chance, but He had to heal our hearts,” Cathren says. “It was in that moment on stage (receiving the Farm Family of the Year award) that I felt He really made us whole.”

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2026 DISTRICT FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR WINNERS

he Arkansas Farm Family of the Year award has recognized families across the state since 1947 who show exemplary production, efficiency, management, family life and leadership in their communities. Eight District Farm Family winners were announced in June after being selected as the top farm family in their counties earlier this year. Judges visit the eight farms to determine which should be named the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The winner will be announced Dec. 11 in Little Rock and go on to represent Arkansas at the Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition. Three Arkansas families have won Southeast Farmer of the Year: Brian and Nan Kirksey (Clark County), 2008; Wildy Family Farms (Mississippi County), 2016; and the Cobb, Lyerly, and Owen Partnership (Craighead County), 2023. Sponsors for the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program include Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Arkansas Department of Career Education, Arkansas Press Association, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development are all supporters of the program.

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NORTHWEST DISTRICT | THE HALEY FAMILY

MAYSVILLE | BENTON COUNTY

Pat and Whitny Haley continue more than 50 years of farming heritage started by Whitny’s father Leon Whiteside. They grow mixed grass hay and raise cattle, poultry, sheep and goats on 2,050 acres. Pat and Whitny have two children: Garrett and Brooks. The Haleys primarily run a cow-calf operation raising more than 600 pairs. They market calves to Superior Livestock Auction where their calves consistently sell in the highest price range for their weight in the region. The Haleys also have a laying hen operation, supplying eggs for Benton County Foods. “Pat and I were both raised on broiler and cattle operations,” says Whitny. “I knew from an early age I wanted to farm cattle and work in agriculture.”

WESTERN DISTRICT THE ROGERS FAMILY LOGAN COUNTY Ross (93) and June Rogers have ranched most of their lives. They've expanded their operation over the decades to include 120 cattle on 900 acres. They've also owned a farm equipment business, Ross Rogers Equipment Co., for 52 years. When asked how he started, Ross proudly says he began farming the day that he was born. Ross has accomplished much, including a 29-year military career and multiple leadership roles at church, Lions Club and Three County Rural Water Board. He says none make him prouder than his family and farm.

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

WEST CENTRAL DISTRICT THE FRACHISEUR FAMILY

GILLHAM | SEVIER COUNTY

Phillip and Kristy Frachiseur have been farming 23 years. With the help of their adult children, Kolby and Kelcy, son-inlaw Dayton and 15-year-old son Kamp, they raise cattle and poultry on more than 800 acres. They also operate a litter and bedding service business. The Frachiseurs operate 12 broiler houses yielding close to 13 million pounds of chicken annually. They also raise calves to be marketed to McDaniel’s Livestock Exchange in Valliant, Okla., and Borden Cattle Co., in Augusta, Ga. After their eldest child, Kolby, was diagnosed with Down syndrome the Frachiseurs knew the diagnosis would come with many doctors’ appointments, meetings with specialists and therapy sessions. Phillip’s solution was broiler houses. He thought broiler houses would be a way not only for his wife to be able to stay home and take care of all Kolby’s many appointments but also for Kolby. He could pick up chickens and contribute to the farm.

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT | THE FAWCETT FAMILY WINTHROP | LITTLE RIVER COUNTY As a fourth-generation farmer, Ricky Fawcett brings a lifetime of farming experience to the operation. He and his wife, Tanya, produce hay, honey and timber on 650 acres. They also raise cattle, poultry, goats and horses. They have two adult children, Elizabeth and R.B. The Fawcetts are working to improve the farm so their legacy is passed on to the next generation. “Our life has centered around faith, family and agriculture,” says Ricky. “We have enjoyed working the land, raising livestock, spending time outdoors and working alongside family. Farming has put food on our table, taught us the value of hard work and allowed us to continue learning. It has been a great life, and one we are truly thankful for.”

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

2026 DISTRICT FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR WINNERS

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT | THE HORNBECK FAMILY | DEWITT | ARKANSAS COUNTY Tyler and Paige Hornbeck have been farming 15 years, growing corn and soybeans on 2,500 acres. Their three children, Jaden, Landri and Kani, help around the farm. “Paige and I love this life we have created for our family,” says Tyler. “It gives our family the opportunity to work together and teach our kids lifelong skills. We believe you ‘reap what you sow,’ and there is no better way to teach that than on the farm.”

EAST CENTRAL DISTRICT THE VINSON FAMILY

ROSE BUD | WHITE COUNTY

Ben and Andrea Vinson have been farming 16 years, raising cattle and poultry along with hay and timber on 700 acres. They have two children, Lane and Emily. The Vinsons share their passion for agriculture through their YouTube Channel VW Family Farm. They share educational videos on gardening, food production, livestock, homesteading and family farming. The exposure has significantly expanded our direct marketing opportunities and increased awareness of local agriculture and family farming, the Vinsons say.

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NORTHEAST CENTRAL DISTRICT THE EAST FAMILY

CLARKEDALE | CRITTENDEN COUNTY Michael and Jodi East have been farming 18 years, growing rice, soybeans, cotton and corn on 5,400 acres. They have two children: Mary Elizabeth and Goldie. Michael credits his mother and two uncles for his knowledge of agriculture. “There is so much knowledge between the three of them that it was easy to start learning Day 1,” says Michael. “I continue to learn something new every day from them in one aspect or another regarding farming practices.”

NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT THE NEWLAND FAMILY DENNARD | VAN BUREN COUNTY Danny Newland has worked more than 60 years in agriculture, including 25 as an agricultural education teacher. He and his wife, Kathy, raise cattle and grow forage crops on 2,100 acres. They have two children, Lacey and Wes, and six grandchildren who are all involved in livestock shows. One of the Newland's farms was homesteaded in 1902 by Danny’s great grandfather. When asked how he started, Danny says he “can’t remember when I wasn’t involved in farming and ranching. So, the answer would be I started when I was old enough to follow directions.”

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

Cutline

FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140

A DAY IN

THE LIFE

O F R U R A L WAT E R'S B R I A N K I R KS E Y CHALLENGES INCLUDE DEMAND, COST AND ACCESS Justin Rotton

e’re guilty of taking things for granted, especially everyday resources that are just there when we need them. But folks like Brian Kirksey, manager of Alpine Water Authority, work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure resources, like rural water, are there when needed. Kirksey has lived in the Southwest Arkansas community of Amity (pop. 681) most of his life. The perspective of working in his own community drives him to continue managing the rural water that supplies his community, despite his ability to retire if he wanted.

“That’s the thing with some of these smaller water systems is that you don’t have a huge staff," he says. "You have to contract work out that you can, but you do a lot of it yourself. I love it. It’s a passion of mine to help people.” Amity and surrounding areas relied on well water until 1988. With well water quality continuing to decline, community members saw a need for improvement. Kirksey recalls when the discussion of a new water system began, it was hard for him to adjust to the idea. “This can never happen,” he said. “We can’t get rural water. This is something that only big cities have and the thought that rural America could have a water system was just a pie-in-the-sky dream.”

Brian Kirksey, manager of Alpine Water Authority, has lived in the Southwest Arkansas community of Amity (pop. 681) most of his life.

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RURAL WATER'S BRIAN KIRKSEY

The Alpine Water Authority was established in 1988 after local advocate Rebecca Dwiggins saw the need for a rural water system in her community. Her husband, Alvin, was a state senator and with help from then-Gov. Bill Clinton, they were able to secure a $500,000 loan that was matched by a $500,000 grant from the state and the Alpine rural water system was created. On the original board was Brian Kirksey’s father, Bill Kirksey. Bill encouraged Brian to get involved in the newly created system, emphasizing the need for a manager. “I don’t know anything about water," Brian told his dad. "But he insisted they needed someone that knew the community to take on the role. I eventually said, “'Ok, I guess I’ll give it a try for a couple of years.'” That “couple of years” has turned into over 35 years as manager. It’s a decision that Kirksey does not regret. “It’s been a great thing for me to be able to understand the community better, its needs and just help people get a good water supply,” Kirksey explains.

The Alpine Water Authority began with around 250 customers and has expanded to around 380. It includes 52 miles of water line in Clark County and parts of Pike County. As manager, his duties vary. From checking water, fixing leaks and billing customers. “I just completed my 444th billing cycle without a disaster so that was pretty incredible.” Another big part of the job is compliance with the Arkansas Health Department. This includes keeping up with proper sampling to ensure the water remains clean and safe for residents to use. Kirksey credits the Arkansas Rural Water Association for assisting rural water entities throughout the state. It offers tools and expertise when facing a problem, specifically when navigating regulations from the health department. “We take samples every month and send in the proper documentation and continue to run our water system as efficiently as we can,” he explains. One aspect of Alpine Water Authority that Kirksey is very proud of is that they carry minimal debt, which can be challenging for a rural community with limited resources. “After we paid our system off, the only thing we owe on is our automated meter system,” he says. “It is about $25,000 which is pretty remarkable.”

KIRKSEY CREDITS THE ARKANSAS RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION FOR ASSISTING RURAL WATER ENTITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OFFERING TOOLS AND EXPERTISE WHEN FACED WITH A PROBLEM, SPECIFICALLY WHEN NAVIGATING REGULATIONS FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

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As manager and Alpine Water Authority's only full-time employee, Kirksey does it all, including fixing leaks and billing customers.

Another demand of the job is being on call 24/7. As the only full-time employee and responsible for the system’s operation as manager, Kirksey can get calls day or night. “I can remember when we were at Thanksgiving dinner and I received a phone call,” he says. “A resident had been installing a new mailbox and drilled through the water main. I had a plate full of turkey, and I had to set it aside and go take care of the water leak.” As a farmer and winner of Arkansas Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year in 2007 along with being nationally recognized as the 2008 Southeast Farmer of the Year, Kirksey understands how important access to water is beyond the household.

“Growing nursery plants on my farm, I could easily become Alpine’s largest customer," he says. “We mainly use surface water on the farm, but it is great to have that option as a backup. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to be in the business.” With the agriculture community declining over recent years, the demand for water has shifted. The demand is mostly recreational with visitors enjoying the Caddo River in the summer, hunting in the fall and supplying water for the new school. With increases in demand, it’s a time where water has made its way to the forefront of attention for a lot of communities throughout the state. Whether that is supply issues or potential data centers, access to water is as important as ever.

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RURAL WATER'S BRIAN KIRKSEY

Challenges Kirksey anticipates for the area include demand, cost and access. With the water system typically pumping 3-4 million gallons a month, it can quickly max out during the summer. Expenses for creating more lines for water and maintenance have greatly increased through the years. “My water system started out being $1 million to build 52 miles of line and now to build that same system back I would guess it to cost $8 million to $10 million,” he explains. After challenges with access to the Caddo River due to drought, Kirksey presented his board 10 years ago the potential of hooking up to Kimsey Water to access water from DeGray Lake. “It’s more of a safeguard for us,” he says. “Not only are we pulling out of the river, but we can also pull out of the lake if needed.” It’s the understanding and hard work from the Alpine Water Authority Board that Kirksey says are vital to keeping rural water systems running smoothly. Legacy board member, Troy Buck, who has since been succeeded by his daughter, Neeka Richardson, exemplifies the board's longstanding commitment. Together, the board members

24 FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140

As a farmer and member of the 2007 Arkansas Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year and 2008 Southeast Farmer of the Year, Brian Kirksey understands the importance of water beyond the household.

share a passion for providing reliable, clean water to their community. The message that Kirksey made very clear on rural water systems is the importance of funding going forward. Raising rates can only help so much and doing that too often in rural communities can be detrimental. Kirksey encourages all residents in rural communities to be involved in their rural water association and to not always assume access to water will be available. “I just want to emphasize making rural water a priority, and what folks like me are doing in your community,” he says. “Water is so important. Your community cannot live without it.”

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County Farm Bureau Outreach

A VIEW FROM THE

COUNTIES

A QUICK LOOK at some recent activities of county Farm Bureaus across Arkansas. They work to advocate the interests of agriculture in the public arena; disseminate information concerning the value and importance of agriculture; and provide products and services to improve the quality of life for its members.

PERRY COUNTY DONATIONS | PERRY COUNTY

The Women’s Leadership Committee delivered Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry meat sticks for food programs at Bigelow and Perryville schools.

26 FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140

FLAT FRED & FRAN ADVENTURES

| CROSS COUNTY The Women’s Leadership Committee recently started sending its honorary Women’s Leadership Committee and Young Farmers & Ranchers “members,” Fred and Fran, on farm adventures to educate students and the community on all things agriculture, including planting, cooking contests and leadership.

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

County Farm Bureau Outreach

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

| WASHINGTON COUNTY Farm Bureau recently held its legislative breakfast where members had an opportunity to meet with their Arkansas House representatives. Those attending included (from left) David Daniel, Washington County Farm Bureau Board member; Chad Puryear, House District 25; Gary Proctor; Washington County Farm Bureau Board member; Cody Holliday; Washington County Farm Bureau Board member; Steve Hignight; Washington County Farm Bureau Board member; Lonnie Horn; Washington County Farm Bureau Board member; Diana Gonzales Worthen, House District 9; Kendra Moore, House District 23; and Max Deitchler, House District 20.

SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION

PHILLIPS COUNTY Farm Bureau board members recently presented checks to its 2026 scholarship recipients (front row, from left) Riley Vondran, Kirkley Ann Rawls, Emory Barnes and Olivia Rawlings.

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GRADUATION LUNCHES

WOODRUFF COUNTY Agency Manager Wes Fairchild and county board member Jeremy Bullington cooked and served lunches to the McCrory School District kindergarten and sixth grade classes during graduation celebrations.

M*A*S*H CAMPS

| JEFFERSON COUNTY M*A*S*H (Medical Applications of Science for Health) Camps were held this summer at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff. Farm Bureau welcomed high school juniors and seniors to the two-week program, which provides hands-on experiences to students interested in entering the health field.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL DONATION

BENTON COUNTY Women’s Leadership Committee chair Anna Myers (right) recently presented a donation to Shannon Green at the Samaritan Community Center for its Back-to-School Backpack Program, to help ensure students have the supplies they need for a successful school year.

AG IN THE CLASSROOM BOOKS

MARION COUNTY Women’s Leadership Committee chair Cheryl Blasdel (left) recently presented Flippin Elementary library media specialist Jennifer Bauss with “I Love Blueberries” books for the library and every classroom to support the school’s agricultural literacy program. ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

TASTE ARKANSAS

BERKELEY FARM STORE Shaylee Wallace Barber

BERKELEY FARM’S MISSION is simple, to foster a resilient community through real food and real connection. It was Tyler and Lauren Castleberry’s simple desire to grow food for their family that quickly became a communitycentered, farm-to-table operation. “Her family had this big wooden sign that read ‘Berkeley Farm,’ and she just carried the name over from what her dad did,” says Tyler. Lauren grew up in Georgia where her father raised goats, but it was falling in love with gardening that really pushed her into agriculture. After welcoming her second child, Lauren wanted to stay connected to her oldest. Starting with, “leggy tomato plants,” in red Dixie cups, Berkeley Farm grew and began selling produce at farmers markets and restaurants. Tyler quickly realized that they could do so much more if they were working in-house. “Instead of always packing up and going to farmers markets, we’ll just move everything here,” recalls Tyler. The decision to shift their operation from markets to a permanent farm store secured them a spot as a community staple. Today, Berkeley Farm in Greenbrier includes year-round production, with seasonal crops, educational and community events, and a welcoming farm store showcasing the best of local agriculture. Offering visitors much more than a place to shop, the family-owned destination combines fresh food, local products and meaningful experiences that connect customers to Arkansas agriculture. As part of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Arkansas Farm Trail, Berkeley Farm Store creates memorable moments, welcoming guests to slow down,

30 FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140

Tyler and Lauren Castleberry’s simple desire to grow food for their family turned into a community-centered, farm-to-table operation.

explore the farm and discover where their food comes from. “We do all the typical seasonal things,” says Lauren. “Tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, okra — but then we like to bring in things like purple hull peas from other local farms. We try to keep all our produce 100% Arkansas-grown.” Visitors are greeted by the smell of warm baked goods, an ever-changing selection of produce that reflects the seasons and locally made goods. Fresh vegetables and greens grown on the farm are available throughout the year, while seasonal favorites keep customers coming back to see what’s new. The shelves are also stocked with products from other Arkansas producers, making it easy to support multiple local businesses in one stop. Homemade breads, pastries, jams, jellies, salsas, pasta, spaghetti sauce, granola, coffee, peanut butter and elderberry syrup are some of the offerings celebrating the local flavors of Arkansas. Shoppers also can purchase locally sourced meats from trusted farm partners, creating a onestop destination for fresh, Arkansas-grown meals. While the farm store is a draw on its own, Berkeley Farm has grown into a gathering place for families, friends and neighbors, too. Throughout the year, the farm hosts a variety of educational opportunities, farm-to-table dinners and other special events that encourage visitors to experience agriculture in a hands-on way. Lauren says this is one of Tyler’s specialties. “Tyler’s the cook in the family,” she says. “He incorporates so much of what’s seasonal into what he creates. We occasionally do Farm Fridays when the weather is nice. It’s just a hang out night where we serve pizzas. One of the pizzas we serve in the fall has butternut squash on it. It sounds really strange, but it’s a crowd favorite.” Whether visiting for fresh seasonal vegetables, picking up products made by fellow Arkansans or spending an afternoon at one of the farm’s special events, Berkeley Farm offers a farm experience that celebrates Arkansas agriculture. It is a reminder that some of the state’s best treasures are found just down a winding gravel road, where hard work, hospitality and homegrown flavor come together to create lasting memories.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PIZZA INGREDIENTS

• 1 pizza crust • 1 medium butternut squash • 1 sweet onion • 4 strips bacon • 1/2 cup olive oil • 1 tablespoon butter • 5 leaves sage • 1/4-1/2 cup feta cheese • 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese • 1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar • Salt • Pepper • 1 teaspoon onion powder • 2 teaspoons garlic powder • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika • 1 tablespoon minced garlic

INSTRUCTIONS

Berkeley Farm in Greenbrier includes year-round production, with seasonal crops, educational and community events, and a welcoming farm store showcasing the best of local agriculture.

1. Peel and dice butternut squash into small pieces. 2. Place squash in a bowl, add olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder. 3. Preheat the oven to 375 F and bake veggies 25-35 minutes (until edges are crispy). 4. Dice sweet onion. Sauté diced onion on medium low heat in olive oil, butter and salt. Once onions start to brown, add minced garlic and cider vinegar, and sauté another minute. Remove from heat. 5. Cook bacon until crispy. Crumble bacon. 6. Apply olive oil to crust (as you would pizza sauce). 7. Top with feta, roasted butternut squash, mozzarella, bacon, sage and onion. 8. Preheat the oven to 425 F and bake 10-14 minutes (or until desired doneness). 9. Drizzle top with balsamic glaze.

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS MEETING

JAY ROBBINS / ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS

ust hours after Washington celebrated America's 250th birthday with a record-breaking fireworks show, military flyovers and patriotic parade, Arkansas Farm Bureau President Dan Wright and Vice President Magen Allen traveled to the capital for the American Farm Bureau Federation Council of Presidents meeting. They joined Farm Bureau leaders from across the country for discussions on agriculture issues. Every summer, Farm Bureau presidents from the 50 states and Puerto Rico, as well as national committee chairs, meet to hear from leaders and lawmakers on issues impacting Farm Bureau members. This year’s Council of Presidents agenda included updates on national policy, the farm economy, women in agriculture and potential impacts of the 2026 midterm elections on U.S. agriculture. “The Council of Presidents meeting with the American Farm Bureau is a wonderful opportunity for officers in all states to come together, meet with legislators and government officials, to discuss issues we as farmers and ranchers are facing,” says ArFB Vice President Magen Allen. “This meeting helps show that when voices join together we can reach much further than one voice alone.” AFBF worked directly with the White House to hold a meeting at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which turned out to be one of the larger gatherings of state presidents ever at the White House. ArFB leaders heard policy updates and participated in discussions at the EEOB with the Trump administration, which featured updates from Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council; Ambassador Dr. Julie Callahan, chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; Lee Zeldin, administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Justin Schwab, general counsel for the Council on Environmental Quality. Discussions included Section 301 investigations, the U.S.Mexico-Canada Agreement, efforts to restore an agricultural trade surplus, and key environmental and regulatory issues impacting farmers and ranchers. President Wright also met with U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden to discuss the decades-long lawsuit over pollution in the Illinois River Watershed. Wright emphasized any settlement must be grounded in sound science and avoid unnecessary burdens threatening the livelihoods of Arkansas farm families.

32 FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140

President Wright also expressed concerns to Deputy Secretary Vaden on the delay of several USDA rules specifically designed to benefit Arkansas farmers and ranchers. Wright conveyed to him that Arkansas Farm Bureau supports more transparency in poultry grower contracting, inclusive competition and a fairer payment system for our poultry producers. “The Council of Presidents meeting in Washington gave me, as president of Arkansas Farm Bureau, the opportunity to communicate with those policymakers on issues affecting agriculture here at home,” he says, “as well as the opportunity to collaborate with state Farm Bureau presidents from across the nation.” President Wright has the privilege of serving on the AFBF Trade Advisory Committee, which had the opportunity to go to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to meet with Ambassador Jamieson Greer. The USTR is responsible for developing and coordinating international trade, commodity and direct investment policy, while also overseeing negotiations with other countries. During the meeting, President Wright was able to share with Ambassador Greer issues experienced in the global rice market. Arkansas farmers planted 851,000 acres of rice this year, down from 1.3 million acres in 2025. It's the state’s lowest acreage since the mid-1970s and below 1 million acres for the first time since 1983. Arkansas rice farmers are facing intense global competition and lower prices due to high volumes of subsidized Indian rice. President Wright was able to share this with the head of USTR, hoping it will force bad actors to live up to their World Trade Organization agreements. Arkansas is extremely fortunate to have U.S. Sen. John Boozman serving as the chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Wright and Allen made their way to Capitol Hill to meet with Senate Ag Committee staffers and show their support for the senator's newly released draft of Farm Bill 2.0, while also expressing a sense of urgency for the passage of long overdue updates to the bill. Arkansas Farm Bureau leaders continue taking issues Arkansans see inside their fencerows to Washington, advocating on behalf of farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Arkansas Farm Bureau members should be proud of their efforts.

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Visit FordRecognizesU.com/FarmBureau today for complete offer details! Available on the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2024/2025/2026 model year Ford Maverick®, Ranger®, F-150, Super Duty® or F-150 Lightning®. Not available on any other Ford or Lincoln vehicles, or F-150 Raptor®, F-150 Raptor R™, Ranger Raptor or F-650® and F-750® Super Duty. Vehicle eligibility may change at any time. Available to U.S. residents only. Place a new retail order or take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s stock by 1/05/26. Limit of five purchases or leases per household during the program offer (PGM# 32524). Offer subject to dealer participation. May not be used/combined with most other Ford private offers. See an authorized Ford Dealer, or go to http://www.fordrecognizesu.com, for complete details and eligibility (PGM# 32524). Due to high demand and global supply chain constraints, some models, trims, and features may not be available or may be subject to change. Check with your local dealer for current information. Offer subject to confirmation of eligibility. 2 Available on the purchase of an eligible 2020-2026MY Ford Blue Advantage Gold, EV (F-150 Lightning only), or Blue Certified, Ford Maverick, Ranger, F-150, Super Duty or F-150 Lightning with under 80,000 miles. Not available on any other Ford or Lincoln vehicles, or F-150 Raptor, F-150 Raptor R, Ranger Raptor or F-650 and F-750 Super Duty. Vehicle eligibility may change at any time. Available to U.S. residents only. Take delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s stock by 1/5/2026. Limit of five purchases per household during the program offer (PGM# 32678). Offer subject to dealer participation. May not be used/combined with most other private Ford offers. See an authorized Ford Dealer, or go to http://www.fordrecognizesu.com, for complete details and eligibility (PGM# 32678). Due to high demand and global supply chain constraints, some models, trims, and features may not be available or may be subject to change. Check with your local Ford Dealer for current information. Offer subject to confirmation of eligibility. 1

The Farm Bureau Exclusive Cash Reward1,2 is now compatible with AXZD-Plans. ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU

DELTA CHILD

THE PENCIL-PUSHER TALYA TATE BOERNER

he letter landed in our mailbox on an August afternoon that was as hot as the devil’s kitchen. Daddy was working under the punishing sun, yanking Johnson grass by hand and checking cotton bolls for pests. When he came home that night, he sank into his chair at the supper table, exhaustion carved into his suntanned face. Momma spooned fried potatoes onto his plate, then handed him the letter. “This came today,” she said, as though it were junk mail from Columbia House or a flyer about bicentennial coins. Daddy glanced at it, then focused on the sender’s name — Internal Revenue Service. He sliced open the envelope with his butter knife, read the single sheet inside, and handed it back to Momma. “We don’t have time to fool with those pencil-pushers from Little Rock,” he said, drowning his potatoes in hot sauce. “Why don’t they wait and bother us in January?” It wasn't a question anyone was expected to answer, so my sister and I kept eating our bowls of chocolate pudding. We'd had supper hours earlier. On the morning of the audit, tension spread over breakfast like a living thing. The Poor House had always loomed large. One bad crop could change everything; one bad audit might do it too. Fear of the IRS ranked right up there with the rapture and nuclear war. “Don’t volunteer anything,” Daddy reminded Momma while he filled his thermos with tap water. “Make the guy ask for everything he needs. Every file, every ledger sheet. Everything.” Daddy had been a pencil-pusher for Lee Wilson & Co. before he started farming, so he knew what he was talking about. Momma promised to take care of everything. Daddy put the thermos in the back of his truck and drove off to work. Deep down, I suspected there wasn't much reason to worry. Daddy might have been a lot of things, but he wasn't someone who cheated Uncle Sam. He once told us he didn't mind paying taxes because it meant he was making money. Plenty of farmers weren’t. When the IRS man pulled onto our gravel driveway later that morning, his black car wore a dull layer of farm dust. Bugs splattered the windshield. Momma greeted him on the carport, and even though he dressed like an undertaker, he seemed friendly enough. My sister and I watched from the mimosa tree as Momma took him out back to the small, portable building that served as the farm office. The first hour passed while Momma weeded a nearby flower bed, stopping only to fetch the papers he requested, one at a time. My sister and I messed around in the backyard and took turns spying on him through the office window. I loved everything about that little building where Momma did payroll on Friday nights — the oversized desk and rolling chair, the hinged box of paper clips, the putty-colored file cabinet locked 34 FRONT PORCH / ISSUE 140

Talya Tate Boerner, a fourth-generation Arkansas farm girl, has been published in Arkansas Review, Ponder Review and Writer’s Digest.

with a tiny silver key, each drawer labeled in Daddy's precise handwriting. Even though he didn't ask for it, I took the man a glass of water at midmorning, mainly to get a better look at him. “This is for you,” I said, putting the glass on the metal desk. The ice was already melted. “Oh, thank you,” he said, taking a big gulp right away. His black coat hung on the wall hook, and his tie had been loosened around his neck. Beside a yellow legal pad lay a neat row of sharpened No. 2 pencils waiting their turn. Pencil-pusher, for sure. “If you need more water, the hose is over by the pump house.” His face rearranged itself, and I saw confusion shot through with terror. “Is it always this hot here?” he asked, taking another gulp while further slackening his tie. The small oscillating fan stirred the stale air. “No, sir. It gets even hotter in September.” He swallowed hard, and I got out of there so he could keep working. Throughout the morning, Momma retrieved every file he requested, unlocking and locking the cabinet each time. She took him a glass of sweet tea at noon. Around one o’clock, Daddy came home from the fields and caught him standing in the yard looking up at the unrelenting sky. Two sweat circles stained his white shirt. “Taking a break?” Daddy asked. “Just stretching my legs.” The man looked at his wristwatch and seemed surprised by the time. “Goodness, I guess it’s time to get a bite. Where do people go for lunch around here?” The man tried to sound like one of Daddy's buddies, but Daddy's buddies were other farmers, John Deere salesmen in Joiner, and crop dusters who sprayed defoliant on the fields before harvest. Daddy’s buddies only wore their one good suit to funerals they couldn't skip. “Couldn’t tell you.” Daddy looked off toward the horizon where afternoon thunderheads often popped up but never amounted to anything. Cicadas shrilled from their hidden places. “Farmers don’t stop for lunch when they’re working.” The last of the man’s color drained from his pale face. He glanced at his watch again and disappeared back inside the office. Daddy went into the house, refilled his thermos with water, and ate the bologna and cheese sandwich Momma made him. The auditor worked until 4 o’clock and was probably back in Little Rock before Daddy came home for supper that night. He must have been good at his job because he didn’t come back the next day or the day after. In fact, we never heard another word from the pencil-pusher or the Internal Revenue Service.

Life is full of important moments; we’ll be there when it matters.

There when it matters. afbic.com auto. home. life.

BAUMALIGHT.COM Neil Thorne | 225-892-9779 | neil@thornesales.com

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