/womensnewsletter_2Q2012

arkansas

farm

bureau

committee comments

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n April, I traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend AFBF’s Conference for State Women’s Committee Chairwomen. After workshops and sharing ideas, I met with Sens. Mark Pryor and John Boozman and Rep. Rick Crawford to discuss issues such as the farm bill, the Sue Billiot, Clean Water chairwoman Act, and the proposed changes to child labor laws which have since been withdrawn.

I appreciate all Farm Bureau does to prepare us for the challenges ahead. It’s more important than ever to be informed and involved.

I want to thank each of you who worked so hard this spring telling the story of agriculture and presenting programs to our schools. I appreciate your dedication to agriculture. Your efforts most certainly will pay off!

I hope to see everyone in Springdale for the Officers & Leaders Conference on July 2324. Enjoy your summer!

ANDY GUFFEY photo

Waldron teacher Patrick Millard (second from left) received ArFB’s 2012 Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher award at the school May 3. With him (l to r) are Scott Co. FB President Dan Wright, Scott Co. Women’s Committee chair Laurie Richardson and Women’s Committee member Angie Hunsucker.

county activities The following activity summaries were submitted by the county Farm Bureau Women’s Committees:

Arkansas: The committee made contributions to Girl’s State, Boy Scouts and donated food to Dana’s House. The committee also conducted a coloring book contest for the annual Family Day event.

Baxter: The committee conducted a Dairy Contest for Baxter County youth. The committee also sorted and delivered material to Hackler Elementary and Nelson Wilks Herron Elementary schools.

Benton: The committee arranged a dairy farm tour for U of A Food and Nutrition

students. The committee also conducted a poultry incubation program for more than 400 students at Centerton Gamble Elementary, Decatur Pre-K, Baker Elementary-Bentonville and Sugar Creek Elementary-Bentonville.

Boone: The committee donated snack food items to our local Hospice House. They also conducted a canned food drive among Farm Bureau Board members; had a collection box set up in our local Farm Bureau Office; and another collection box set up in a local business. These items were donated to the local food pantry. Also in honor of Food-Check out week, Ginny Hulsey of the Women’s committee

Second Quarter 2012 ®

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county activities ®

2012 arfb state women’s committee

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s your state women’s committee, we are here to be a resource and assist you in your ag promotion activities. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

SUE BILLIOT chairwoman Sharp County, District 2 870-528-3617 kajunsue@centurytel.net JANICE MARSH vice chairwoman Woodruff County, District 2 870-731-5660 rmarsh@centurytel.net SHERRY FELTS Mississippi County, District 1 870-537-4772 sherry.felts@yahoo.com CAROLE LICHTI Carroll County, District 3 870-545-3371 charleslichti@windstream.net LINDA PARISH Scott County, District 4 479-928-5098 jlparish@juno.com

KEN MOORE photo

Benton Co. FB President Dan Douglas (left) played the role of “Dan the Apple Man” during Farm Bureau’s “Dreams and Determination Day” in Bentonville, May 11. Fourth-grade students from Centerton and Gamble elementary schools learned about the history of local agriculture from several historical characters. The county Women’s Committee helped organize the event.

read “Good things from Arkansas featuring: Reddy the Farm Truck!” during storytime at the Boone County Library. She also provided examples of products produced in Arkansas for the children.

Carroll: The committee arranged for a

Wagonmasters program for Green Forest 5th grade students. The committee also conducted a program on economics, history, and math about students who came over on Mayflower and bartered for supplies to

RENEE THRASH Faulkner County, District 5 501-336-9652 thrashr@conwayschools.net MEREDITH BAKER Jefferson County, District 6 870-536-3459 meredithbaker@hughes.net PEGGY MILLER Chicot County, District 7 870-265-5151 peggymiller2@gmail.com

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COLUMBIA CO. FB photo

Brenna Warrick, a student at Emerson Elementary, won first place in the third-grade division of the safety poster contest sponsored by Columbia Co. FB. Deborah Reynolds of the county FB Women’s Committee presented a certificate to Brenna.

the present day. During class a committee member told students about Arkansas agriculture and how important it is to the state and Carroll County.

Chicot: The committee conducted a program for more than 200 students on good nutrition. The committee handed out “School Days Are Here Again” activity books. Students were told about the importance of good nutrition during the first session.

“I think I Forgot Something” and how important it is to eat a healthy breakfast was the focus of the second session. The committee also conducted a Food CheckOut Day event at both of our local grocery stores to tell about our safe and affordable food supply. The local newspaper took pictures and printed an article on the activity. The committee also bought approximately $100 in groceries and distributed to our local food pantry.

Clark: The committee was very active during the period. Among its activities: provided soy crayons and dairy coloring books to daycare centers; provided beef and dairy books, soy crayons and other items for Kindergarten Round-Up; placed Farm Bureau bookmarks in the local libraries; read farm stories to children in daycare centers; spoke on local radio stations concerning National Ag Safety Week; and judged an elementary school science fair. The committee also provided the prize money for the county Dairy Recipe contest; delivcontinued on page 4

Howard (Ag in the Classroom)

Garland (Ag in the Classroom)

C O U N T Y C L O S E - U P S

Clark (Dairy foods contest)

Independence (Ag in the Classroom)

Stone (Farmer at Career Day)

Benton (Dairy ambassador)

county activities ered snacks to the local hospital ICU waiting room; and provided food for the school back pack program.

Cleburne: Members of the committee attended the local FFA dinner and recognition program for students and participated in their annual flower sale.

Columbia: The committee participated in Food Check-Out Week by placing posters and information in Farmer’s Bank and Summit Bank in Magnolia; by purchasing and donating $200 of nonperishable foods for Southern Christian Mission and the Living Water Domestic Violence Shelter; and delivering five gallons of coke tabs to the Ronald McDonald House in Little Rock. The committee also judged 142 Safety Posters for State Safety Poster Competition.

Conway: The committee conducted four Ag in the classroom programs. Among them, 355 elementary students were taught about the process of seed germination, healthy snack options, ways to become a steward of the land, and how to help protect the environment through recycling options. Students were able to see how fruits and vegetables are grown in Arkansas, along with sampling the produce. The committee also took part in the annual Food Check-Out Week by setting up displays within the community along with donating $200 worth of Arkansas-grown foods to the local food bank, The Conway County Care Center.

Craighead: The committee set up a

booth at a safety program at the ASU Equine Center.

Rice Krispie Treats and small tractors were passed out to participants. The tractors had the Farm Bureau Banking logo on them and went along with the TRACTOR SAFETY program perfectly. Safety brochures were made available for everyone. The committee also provided rice soups, corn bread, apple dumplings to office staff for Food Check-Out Week. Money and canned goods were collected to donate to the Helping Neighbors Food Pantry

Crawford: The committee conducted a Fun on the Farm activity for students at Alma kindergarten at the Arnold Farm. The children saw poultry houses, rode on a combine, and learned what’s in your hamburger. They also learned the ABC’s of beekeeping, picked strawberries, milked the cow, learned about bus safety and visited with Smokey Bear.

The committee also participated in the Leadership Crawford County Ag Day and farm tour. Lunch was enjoyed at the Vegetable Research Station in Alma and women’s committee members served the meal.

Cross: The committee conducted the county Dairy Foods Contest and the Miss Cross County Rice Contest.

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Drew: The committee provided a monetary donation to the Drew Central and Monticello Safe Prom Committees so they could provide healthy snacks at the event. The committee also sponsored an eighth grade girl to attend the Girls of Promise Conference. This event introduces girls to careers in areas related to math, science, and technology while giving them the opportunity to meet with professional women. A committee member also volunteered at the conference.

Faulkner: The committee conducted and judged the Faulkner County Dairy Recipe Contest with 30 recipes. 5 committee members participated.

In addition we provided prizes for BBQ and additional prizes for Dairy Recipe. The committee also planned and participated in the annual Faulkner County Farm Roundup event which reached 1,000 children from elementary schools across Conway and Faulkner County.

Garland: The committee conducted agriculture literacy programs at Cutter Morning Star Elementary School for 190 students and at Gardner Elementary for 262 students. The committee also conducted a Distracted Driving program with the Teen Leader 4-H club, an ATV Safety program at Fountain Lake High School and a Safety Day program at Lake Hamilton Elementary School for 307 4th graders.

Greene: The committee conducted a countywide dairy recipe contest, plus a poultry unit at Greene County Tech where they used the incubator for students to learn how chicks are hatched.

Hot Spring: The committee arranged

for the combine simulator and milking cow to be part of the Boy Scout Expo in Benton. Members of the committee also attended the Distracted Driving Safety Program at Bismarck High School.

Howard: The committee sponsored the Bread and Cookie Contest. Approximately 30 youth from the area participated in this event, many with multiple entries. Our sponsorship for this event helped to provide prizes for each of the different category winners. The committee also helped to sponsor the annual Egg and Dairy Contest. The contest was a success, with over 40 different dishes prepared. Participants were awarded ribbons and prize money for their entries.

Independence: The committee observed Food Check-Out Week by distributing information to two grocery stores in the area. Committee members distributed 250 pamphlets to promote healthy eating and wise food choices. Pamphlets and information included: Kid Friendly Veggies and Fruits, Be a healthy role model for children, eating better on

FAULKNER CO. FB photo

On March 15, Faulkner Co. FB Women’s Committee members Ilah Herndon (left) and Cami Marsh judged the county’s safety poster contest. Winners were first grader Kyla Tacker and fourth grader Sarah Mayo, both from Ellen Smith Elementary in Conway.

a budget, Choose my Plate, Got your Dairy Today, and With Protein foods variety is the key. The committee also donated $100 worth of food to the Independence County Women’s shelter.

Izard: The committee conducted and judged the Dairy Foods Contest sponsored by Farm Bureau, Extension Homemakers and 4H. The committee will also sponsor a poultry promotion where 4H will conduct a photo contest and the committee will judge entries and provide prizes.

Jackson: Members of the committee filled ziplock bags with coloring sheets of farm animals, soy crayons, pencils, and Fun on the Farm coloring books. Distributed these to the Newport Pre-School Class. The committee also filled 45 bags of vegetable coloring sheets, farm animal coloring sheets and soy crayons which were given to the Head Start program in the county. The committee also served a “Heart Healthy” meal to members of the county board in observance of Heart Month. A dietician spoke on the importance of a heart healthy diet.

Jefferson: A committee member was a judge for the county 4-H Dairy Recipe contest. The committee was also a sponsor for the Jefferson County Home and Garden show.

Lee: The committee donated tooth brushes, placemats and literature on food to local elementary schools. The committee also conducted a Miss Lee County Rice contest and selected Amber Benson to represent the county. continued on page 5

county activities Lonoke: The committee observed Food Check-Out Week by donating non-perishable food items to the Open Arms Shelter. The committee also conducted a Miss Lonoke County Rice Contest and donated the book, “Seed, Sun and Soil” to libraries in the county.

Miller: The committee met with Mrs Jones and helped her fill out an application for a Farm Bureau Outdoor Classroom Garden Grant project. The committee also sponsored Mrs. Jones for Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher and donated $50 to help the class buy plants and seeds for the project. The committee took photos of the students planting potatoes, lettuce and greens. The committee also conducted two classes on how to plant sunflower seeds and onion bulbs. Board member Lewis LaGrone told the students of the many kinds of sunflowers and onions and each student had their own pot to take home.

Mississippi: The committee observed Food Check-Out Week by purchasing and donating groceries to the Harvest Baptist Church food pantry. The committee also donated the books “Grow Smart” and “US Grown Rice in the Classroom” to several elementary classrooms in the county. The committee also conducted a safety poster contest, arranged for a Drinking and Driving safety program at Manila High School and a fire safety program at Blytheville Pre-K and kindergarten.

Monroe: The committee conducted a Food Check-Out Week exhibit at a local supermarket.

Provided information to the public on healthy eating.

Donated a large quantity of food to the local food pantry. The committee also conducted a Miss Monroe County Rice contest which included a public speaking contest for contestants and a recipe cook off.

GREGG PATTERSON photo

(l to r) Tanner Clark, Cody Roncalli, Mason Cullipher and Gage Sanders of Lewisville High School received plaques from Miller Co. FB Women’s Committee member Nedra Turney for winning land judging and forestry events at a clinic sponsored by Farm Bureau on March 29. Fifty-two FFA students attended.

North Logan: The committee had a booth at the health fair for high school pregnant teens at Arkansas Tech University - Ozark. 54 girls from six counties were present. The committee provided information on car seat safety and applications for Farm Bureau car seats were handed out. The committee donated a Farm Bureau car seat for a door prize.

nutrition publications. Food was collected and donated to a local food bank. The committee also conducted a Dairy Recipe Contest with winners entered in state contest. The committee assisted the county Extension Service in presenting the high school financial management program “Get Real, Here’s the Deal” to 12th grade students at Mena High School

Perry: The committee arranged for the Ag Experience trailer to be part of ag education programs at Perryville and Bigelow schools. The committee also conducted a safety poster contest at the elementary schools. Corbin Alexander of Perryville Elementary won first place on the state level.

Pope: The committee judged and provided prize money for the BBQ and dairy recipe contest. The committee also submitted ads and information to local papers for National Ag Day and a special Edition of Agriculture in the River Valley.

Phillips: The committee conducted a

Drinking and Driving Awareness program to the students at DeSoto High School and Marvell Academy.

VAN BUREN CO. FB photo

Mary McCraw, a nurse at the Ark. Dept. of Health’s Plumerville office, spoke to junior and senior Family Dynamics students March 29 at Clinton High School during a childseat safety program sponsored by the Van Buren Co. FB Women’s Committee.

Pike: The committee observed Food CheckOut Week by distributing information through a booth at the CADC Senior Citizen Center in Murfreesboro. A monetary donation was also made to two food pantries in Murfreesboro and in Glenwood. The committee also assisted the County Extension Agent with the County 4-H Diary Recipe Contest. The committee supplied judges and money was donated to purchase aprons for the participants in the contest. The winners will represent our county at the state contest.

Polk: The committee observed Food Check-

Out Week by setting up a display at the Farm Bureau office. Handouts were available about the event and also

Prairie: The committee donated prize money and rice to the Dairy Recipe contest winners.

The committee also conducted a Miss Prairie County Rice and safety poster contest for elementary school students in the county.

Saline: The committee planted three trees for Earth Day. The committee also delivered a basket of homemade treats to the Benton Courier newspaper office, served at the Cattleman’s Dinner, collected and delivered food to Safe Haven for Food Check-Out Week, manned a booth at the Benton and Bryant library to talk to local residents about Arkansas agriculture and healthy diets during Food Check-Out Week.

Scott: The committee conducted a farm safety contest for third grade students at Waldron continued on page 6 5

county activities Elementary and 6th graders at Mansfield Middle School during Ag Safety Awareness Week. Farm Bureau safety coordinator Amanda Williams spoke with seventh graders at Waldron Middle School about Internet safety.

Several committee members volunteered to participate in the Read Across America program by reading to students in three elementary school classrooms.

Searcy: The committee conducted a safety poster contest in March and awarded Wal Mart gift cards to the first, second and third place winners. The committee also observed Food Check-Out Week by distributing brochures about buying healthy food on a budget.

The committee purchased $50 worth of food for the Marshall food pantry while committee members served hotdogs on the court square for the CASA (childrens advocate) workers.

Sharp: The committee conducted a Dairy

Recipe Contest which attracted 27 participants. The Dessert/Party Idea winner was Shaina Manning. The Main Dish winner was Katelyn Rogers. The 4-H clovers participated in the contest to prepare them for the future. All participants received 4-H aprons and cash awards. The committee also arranged for Matt Jackson of Arkansas Farm Bureau to present a program utilizing the Mobile Ag Experience trailer to 4th grade students in Cave City; 3rd and 4th graders in Evening Shade and 4th graders at Highland Elementary School. The students learned about rice, livestock, poultry, dairy and soybeans. They also planted cotton, soybean and wheat seeds and milked the cow.

St. Francis: The committee conducted a bicycle safety program for 22 elementary students which included a scrambled worksheet with bike safety words, a picture of a bike with various parts identified,

WASHINGTON CO. FB photo

Lisa Taylor (right), a teacher at Willis Shaw Elementary School in Springdale, recently received a $250 Outdoor Classroom Garden Grant from Washington Co. Farm Bureau. Women’s Committee member Barbara Horn made the presentation.

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SHARP CO. FB photo

A record 29 Sharp Co. 4-H members competed in the local Dairy Foods Contest March 29. The Sharp Co. FB Women’s Committee and Cooperative Extension Service co-sponsored the contest. Sue Billiot, chair of the ArFB Women’s Committee, presented awards to the winners.

and rules for bike safety. The students “homework” for the week was to think of ways to help those who live in the country be better prepared for riding bikes on rural roads. The committee also conducted a Miss St. Francis County Rice contest and Bailey Dillinger was chosen to represent the county. She introduced her rice Gumbo recipe with a brilliant speech and tasting party. She immediately went to work promoting rice at various city and club meetings and at the local schools.

Stone: The committee conducted a Career Day event at Mountain View Elementary School. James Sutton, an employee of North Arkansas Farm Supply and Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher committee member gave a presentation. James and his wife Rachael handed out copies of the Farm Bureau publications “Good Things from Arkansas” and “Fun on the Farm.” James talked about his life in agriculture and fielded many questions. Rachael read “Good Things from Arkansas” to the Kindergarten class. The committee also observed Food Check-Out Week by donating $200 worth of food products to the Stone County Community Food Ministry. The Ministry serves about 525 families each year.

Union: The committee conducted the Body Walk program for five county schools with 700 youth participating. The committee also conducted a Tomato Project for fourth, fifth and sixth grade students at three county schools. The children planted tomato seeds with 17 classes and 390 students participating. Committee members constructed and planted six raised bed gardens with four classes participating at a local school.

Commodities raised were beets, sweet peas, strawberries, kale, greens, spinach, herbs, and lettuce. The committee also taught the “MY Plate” program using locally raised vegetables to two classrooms involving 42 students. Agriculture Awareness was taught at the annual county Farm Fair to 720 children from schools across the county. with six members donating 54 hours. Commodities were bees, soybeans/rice, cotton, honeybees, goat, pork, beef, crops, chickens, forestry, and dairy.

Van Buren: The committee conducted an Agriculture Literacy Program for five second grade classes in Clinton. The students were read the book “Good Things From Arkansas”. It was written to educate our youth about food grown in Arkansas as well as educate them about where their food comes from. The lesson included a question/answer session and ended with the students being given their own personal copy of the book. Photos were taken of the teachers and each of their classes and sent to them with a thank you note as a reminder of our visit. The book was also donated to the school library. A newspaper article was created and sent to the Van Buren County Democrat.

The committee also observed Food Check-Out Week to conduct a promotional event for shoppers at the local Thriftway supermarket. The committee set up three commodity stations throughout the store. They were “manned” from 8 am until 6 p.m. by volunteers from the committee who visited with shoppers, gave out nutrition info, smart shopping info, recipes appropriate continued on page 8

arfb women’s committee calendar Sun.

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FB Offices closed for Independence Day

Statewide Policy Development Videoconference

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State Board Meeting

State Board Meeting

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O&L Conference in Springdale

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Statewide YF&R Conference in LR

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18 Miss Arkansas Rice Contest in Brinkley

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FB Offices closed for Labor Day

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Future of Farm Bureau Meeting in Little Rock

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Patriot Day

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State Board Meeting

State Board Meeting

First Day of Autumn

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Sportsman’s Holiday in Branson

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The 2012 Arkansas State Fair

is

Oct. 12-21!

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‘In My Barn’ Game Helps Young Students Build Math Skills

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new online game developed for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students is now available on MyAmericanFarm. org, the popular agricultural gaming site. “In My Barn” is the first game for a pre-K–K audience on My American Farm.

Students use math skills to help Farmer Faye, a character in the game, care for her animals. As they play the game, students earn points which help them fill a grain storage silo.

Once students fill the silo they earn a new stamp to add to their Passport for Sustainability – the tool that helps youth keep track of their journey through the various My American Farm online games.

In My Barn is closely aligned with the PBS Kids Ready to Learn Math Framework, which supports STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)

learning. The game also meets national standards for mathematics instruction.

“We’re excited to launch this new STEM-related game and activities on My American Farm,” said Dan Durheim, executive director of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. “A solid understanding of core subjects such as science and mathematics lays the groundwork for students to grow in their understanding of where food, fiber and renewable fuels come from.”

The My American Farm educational gaming resource is a special project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. The site and resources are made possible through the generous support of title sponsor, Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business.

To take advantage of free My American Farm resources, games and activities, visit www.myamericanfarm.org.

County Women’s Committees Can Apply for CAE Awards

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pplications are available for county Farm Bureaus to enter the County Activities of Excellence Awards program. The CAE recognizes up to 25 successful county Farm Bureau programs from across the nation.

Winning counties will get to present displays about their activities at the AFBF annual meeting tradeshow, Jan. 13-14, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn., and will receive $2,250 toward expenses incurred through participation in the CAE program at the annual meeting.

With a focus on Farm Bureau’s priority issues, the CAE program groups county activities into the following areas: Education and Ag Promotion, Member Services, Public Relations and Information, Leadership Development and Policy Implementation.

County Farm Bureau applications must be received by the state Farm Bureau office no later than Aug. 31, 2012. Applications can be downloaded at www.fb.org/programs/countyx.

county activities for their commodity station (i.e. Beef, pork, poultry, milk, cheese, potatoes, tomatoes, fruits) and the fruits & vegetables brochures that Farm Bureau prints up for the fair each year. We prominently displayed our Farm Bureau affiliation on our aprons and in our handout materials. Photos were made and news release sent to the local papers and to the Farm Bureau Press.

Washington: The committee

conducted the 16th annual “Farm Friends Day” at the Pauline Whitaker Arena on the University of Arkansas campus. There were many live animals and ag products displayed. We helped move about 3,000 kindergartners, teachers, and other children through the event until 2:00 p.m. The second half of the day was from 2-7 and was open to the public and local/city and county officials. There were more than 500 people in attendance.

We helped set up and serve a meal of beans, cornbread

and ice cream. The committee also presented Ag in the Classroom Outdoor Garden Grants to Sarah Hale at South West Jr. High and Lisa Taylor at Shaw Elementary in Springdale. Additionally, the committee donated 125 Fun on the Farm coloring books to Kindergarten teachers at Turnbow Elementary in Springdale.

White: The committee conducted a Miss White County Rice contest and Meredieth Williams of Searcy was named the winner. The committee also purchased $105 worth of materials that were donated to the Searcy Children’s Home.

Woodruff: The committee sponsored the annual Ag Safety Awareness Week safety program at the fairgrounds for students from Augusta, Brinkley and McCrory High Schools. Janice Marsh is a member of the state women’s committee and assisted with

the annual food donation to Ronald McDonald House in Little Rock. The committee also made a donation to the McCrory FFA auction.

Yell: The committee conducted a program on embryology and soils for local students. An incubator was used so students could see the chicks hatch and learn about the process. The children also learned about different soil types and the importance of protecting our groundwater.

staff contacts • Harry Willems, associate director of O&MP 501-228-1247, harry.willems@arfb.com • Autumn Wood, O&MP special programs assistant 501-228-1306, autumn.wood@arfb.com