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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016
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WINTER 2016
Edition 40
FEATURES
Drones
Ken Moore | Page 6
The Ag Tech Force Awakens Keith Sutton | Page 12
COLUMNS
Farm Bureau Perspective Zippy Duvall | Page 3
Faces of Agriculture – Terry Norwood Gregg Patterson | Page 20
Policy Update
Michelle Kitchens | Page 24
Rural Reflections Photo
Page 28
ON THE COVER
In the race to feed nine billion people worldwide by 2050, advancements in agriculture technology are essential to meet that daunting task. Advancements in biotechnology, farm management software programming and robotics are just a few areas helping farmers and ranchers improve their operations. Aerial drones are quickly becoming essential equipment for data collection on the farm. Photo by Keith Sutton
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Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas FARM ARKANSAS Farm Bureau BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016
Farm Bureau Perspective
by Zippy Duvall | President, American Farm Bureau Federation
Protecting our freedom to farm in 2016
I
’m honored to begin serving alongside you all as the new president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. For almost a century, AFBF has been the leading voice of agriculture, standing up for farmers and ranchers across our great country. But the real strength of Farm Bureau is our active grassroots membership. Like so many of my friends in Arkansas, I learned a long time ago that I’d have to step outside my fencerows if I wanted to have a say in the matters affecting my Georgia farm. You are the backbone of the organization, and together we can address the toughest issues facing U.S. agriculture in 2016. Farmers and ranchers need to be free to work our land. We have a deep respect for our natural resources — our living depends on it. But some federal agencies, far removed from the realities of farming, seem not to care. Instead of respecting our expertise, they produce unworkable regulations that trample our rights. The courts and the Government Accountability Office have called out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its unlawful advocacy and legal overreach with the Waters of the U.S. rule. Farmers and ranchers can’t wait through the years of litigation it may take to resolve this in the courts. We’re pleased that Congress has recognized this and joined in the call to ditch the rule. The EPA must draft a new rule that acknowledges our concerns and respects our freedoms. Technology plays a critical role in improving efficiency and reducing our environmental footprint. We are using less pesticide on our crops, farming with fewer acres and using water more efficiently thanks to smarter farm equipment, data services and genetically modified seeds. Emerging technologies like drones and CRISPR gene modification mean we’ve yet to see the limit of what we can do to make our farms even more efficient and productive.
Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 2016
Scientists, federal agencies and industry leaders all agree that GMOs are safe, but the push for mandatory labeling sends a mixed message to consumers. When it comes to knowing what’s in our food, consumers deserve the facts, not scare tactics. We want to have an honest discussion about what biotechnology is and how it’s used for everyone’s good. It’s up to Congress now to create a national, voluntary labeling program that gives farmers and consumers choices. America’s farmers and ranchers are proud to feed, fuel, clothe and shelter the world. Our agricultural exports are higher than ever before thanks to important trade agreements that break down barriers like high tariffs and non-scientific restrictions on our food. We have some of the highest quality products available, and our ability to sell American-grown products around the world will keep U.S. agriculture prospering. New trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership will open some of the fast-growing markets in the world. AFBF will be working with Congress and the administration this year to move this agreement forward to set a more level playing field for U.S. agriculture. Of course, these aren’t the only issues we’re facing in the months ahead. We’ll continue to work to help farmers face an uncertain economy, press on for a workable solution to farm labor and continue working tirelessly to ensure all consumers have access to safe, affordable food, just to name a few. I’m eager to serve with all of you at the national level and am confident that we’ll continue to protect the business of agriculture for future generations. Along with the leadership of the Arkansas Farm Bureau board of directors, we’ll all step outside those fencerows and make our voices heard. At Farm Bureau, we’ve shown time and again that we’re stronger when we stand together.
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EST.1974
An official publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation distributed to more than 41,000 farming and ranching households in Arkansas. SUBSCRIPTIONS
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Drones
Aerial efficiency on the farm by Ken Moore
F
armers no longer have to scout their fields for disease and insect damage or inventory their crops on foot. Ranchers no longer have to drive hundreds of acres of pasture searching for lost or downed livestock. More and more they now depend on their “eye in the sky” — unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones. These drones are fitted with cameras that a farmer on the ground can maneuver to take electronic imagery of crops and pastures. This saves valuable time and money, making farming and ranching much more efficient.
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Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016
Perhaps the most popular technological advancement to impact agriculture recently is the increasing popularity of drones. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates more than 1.6 million were purchased in 2015, about a third of those during the final three months of the year. “The FAA is moving quickly to try and get these systems into the airspace,” said Josh Olds, UAS program coordinator for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “They have a really tough job trying to ensure safety of the airspace with all of these systems flying and no real commonality between them. With all of these benefits, it comes down to how do we maintain safe airspace that everyone can operate in cohesively.”
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 2016
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With reports of drones flying near aircraft and airports, the FAA now requires they be registered to make it easier to identify owners and educate amateur operators. Current regulations prohibit flying them higher than 400 feet or within 5 miles of an airport. Drones must be marked with the owner’s unique registration number. This will allow authorities to trace owners in violation of the rules. “It’s a tool in precision agriculture I believe will be very popular,” said Newport row-crop farmer Brent Lassiter. “The different imagery software and cameras will give us a head start into a problem we can’t see visually from the ground. But we’ll see it with that technology ahead of time and get ahead of the problem instead of losing yield by potentially being delayed with a chemical application.” Lassiter owns a commercial consulting firm in Jackson County and wants to get in on the front end of the technology. “We’re on a pretty steep learning curve and our biggest problem right now is making sure we understand the regulations,” he said. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the trade group that represents producers and users of drones and other robotic equipment, predicts 80 percent of the commercial market for drones will eventually be for agricultural uses. Once the FAA establishes guidelines for commercial use, the drone industry expects more than 100,000
jobs created and nearly $500 million in tax revenue generated collectively by 2025, much of it from agriculture. Video and still images from drones can provide farmers with several types of detailed views. Seeing a crop from the air can reveal patterns that expose everything from soil variation to pest and fungal infestations not apparent at eye level. Airborne cameras can take multispectral images, capturing data from the infrared, as well as the visual spectrum. When combined, this imagery creates a crop view that highlights differences between healthy and distressed plants that can’t be seen with the naked eye. And drones can survey a crop every week, every day or even every hour. Combined to create a time-series animation, that imagery can show changes in the crop revealing trouble spots or opportunities for better crop management. It’s part of a trend toward increasingly data-driven agriculture, the result of years of automation and other innovations designed to grow more food with less labor. Dr. Tim Burcham is dean of the Arkansas State University College of Agriculture and Technology in Jonesboro. His department purchased a drone for students to use and learn its many applications. “Our new Ag Systems Technology program incorporates drone technology into the curriculum,” Burcham said. “We want to make sure our students are learning what the
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Arkansas Agriculture |
Arkansas FARM Farm BUREAU Bureau • WINTER winter 2016 ARKANSAS
There are many potential uses for drones in agriculture. These include inspecting fields, livestock, buildings and irrigation ditches. In some cases, drones could be used to deliver herbicide/ pesticide applications to a specific part of a crop field. Photo by Keith Sutton
Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 2016
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“I think when you look at the popularity, those numbers tell you we’ll be seeing more drones in the air. I think the legal aspects the FAA is working on right now to ensure their safe operation is critical for us in agriculture,” Burcham said. “We want to make sure they’re operated in a very safe manner that doesn’t infringe upon privacy or endanger humans, as well.” “Make no mistake, unmanned aircraft enthusiasts are aviators. And with that title comes a great deal of responsibility,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in announcing the registration requirements in December. “Registration gives us an opportunity to work with these users in operating their unmanned aircraft safely.” The requirements cover aircraft weighing more than a half pound up to 55 pounds, including any payload such as a camera. Owners 13 or older must register on the FAA website. Registration costs $5 and must be renewed every three years. The aircraft must be marked with an identification number, but recreational fliers may register as many drones as they want on one number. Those who purchased drones before Dec. 21, 2015 must register them by Feb. 19. Those purchased after that date must be registered before their first outdoor flight. Owners can register their unmanned aircraft by going to www.faa.gov/uas/registration. Reports show drones causing at least 28 instances in which pilots of large aircraft have been forced to veer off course to avoid a collision. “We have a long way to go technology-wise, and so they’re going to begin looking beyond line of sight,” Olds explained. “It’s an evolving industry, there’s a lot We’ve identified hundreds of genes that help REV® going on. A lot of people are brand soybean varieties consistently thrive amidst the challenges of climate, soil types, pests and disease. By getting frustrated with the pace at expanding areas of cultivation and producing climate which it’s being developed. But it’s specific varieties, we keep REV® brand soybean important to maintain safe varieties, and your bottom line, on top. operations. We don’t want an 800-551-4852 • www.terralseed.com unmanned aircraft hitting a manned aircraft and that’s really ©2015 Terral Seed REV® is a registered trademark of Pioneer. REV® Brand Seed is distributed by Terral Seed. what it comes down to.” capabilities of these systems are, whether it’s a soils class, plant science class, whatever. It’s not just about getting the bird in the air so-to-speak, but for our folks, it’s what are we going to do with this information that makes value for our producers.” Burcham says the cost of the systems varies, running from as little as $300 for a drone used for recreational purposes to fixed wing and hybrid aircraft that cost several thousand dollars. One of the most popular models is the DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Quadcopter. It comes with a 1080p HD video camera.
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ARKANSAS Arkansas FARM Farm BUREAU Bureau • WINTER winter 2016
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Arkansas ARKANSAS Farm FARM Bureau BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 2016
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Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016
This “Robotic Rover,” designed by Australian researchers, was created to keep cattle in line just like a herding dog.
Science fiction comes alive by Keith Sutton
I
Tech Force Awakens Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 2016
f you’re a fan of the “Star Wars” movies, perhaps you know that C3PO and R2D2, Luke Skywalker’s droid companions, were destined to be agricultural robots assisting on the farm. Luke and his Uncle Owen were farmers. Owen bought the droids to use as mechanized farm hands. Things didn’t turn out quite as planned, but this part of the “Star Wars” plot hinted at a future where robots might be as common on farms as tractors and combines. That concept might not be as far-fetched as it seems. During the past five years, scientists and engineers have developed several prototype robots designed for various farm tasks. Instead of speeding through a galaxy far, far away, these “ag ‘bots” can be used for such things as picking fruit, scouting for insects, zapping weeds and taking soil tests. Don’t be surprised if five years from now, you drive down a rural Arkansas highway and see a multi-armed robot rolling down the rows of a strawberry field picking fruit or a drone hovering over a field and blasting insect pests — all with nary a human in sight.
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Other technological advancements are reshaping agriculture, too. Advances in genetics help researchers identify desired traits and create healthier, more productive crops and livestock. Advances in telematics — the longdistance transmission of computerized information — allow farmers and ranchers to track animals and equipment, know when problems occur and fix problems remotely. Cuttingedge computers, software and navigational devices permit data collection for farm planning, field mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance and more. The importance of advancements such as these can’t be understated. One of the major challenges we face is how to provide food, fiber and shelter for nine billion people by 2050. If major advances in agriculture aren’t realized, this will be impossible. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently spoke of this challenge, saying, “We need more innovation in the next 30 years than we did in the previous 10,000.” So, what kind of innovations might we see in the near future? Take a look at our crystal ball.
Ag ‘bots
The dream of robots doing big chores on farms is closer to reality than ever. Engineers are developing dozens of specialized “ag ‘bots” designed to increase efficiency and lighten the farmer’s load. The agricultural robot market is expected to grow to $16.3 billion by 2020 from $817 million in 2013.
Crop harvesting is one area where machines may soon supplement human workers. In the latter stages of development are robotic harvesters that can mow hay or pick strawberries, citrus fruits, cucumbers, peppers, apples, grapes and other produce. One amazing example is a 60-armed strawberry picker that detects berries using a high-tech camera system, determines their ripeness and then snips the fruit’s stem to softly detach the berry without bruising. New robots can perform other tasks, too, like thinning lettuce, pruning fruit trees and vines and moving potted plants in greenhouses. Engineers also are creating robots small enough to move between plant rows, killing weeds and insects, taking soil tests and applying fertilizer directly where needed. Smaller still are the penny-sized “RoboBees” Harvard scientists say could be mass produced for pollinating crops and other uses. Ranches will use robots, too. Some dairy farmers already use robots that milk cows. Now researchers are developing a “Robotic Rover” that uses special sensors and GPS to herd cows where they need to go, manure robots designed to clean floors in dairy and hog barns and driverless wagons that haul hay back to a barn and return, so the rancher doesn’t have to stop baling. Farmers are finding many uses for drones, too — everything from water and disease management to planting strategies and security surveillance. See the article on page 6 in this issue for a more in-depth look at drones.
Researchers at Harvard hope to be able to mass produce their miniature RoboBees, which they say could be used for a wide variety of tasks, including crop pollination, search and rescue missions, and high-resolution weather and climate mapping.
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Arkansas Agriculture |
Arkansas FARM Farm BUREAU Bureau • WINTER winter 2016 ARKANSAS
Fruit-picking robots, like this one used to gather strawberries, are among the most recent robotic innovations. Developers say they’ll soon be available for use on U.S. farms.
Talking combines, grain carts and tractors
Advanced genetic research and improved technology are making it possible for scientists to create new types of crops and livestock that grow quicker, are more disease resistant and exhibit other positive traits farmers and ranchers value.
By the time this year’s harvest begins, some farmers could be using the first autonomously operated tractor and graincart system to bring in the crop. Using sophisticated software coupled with sensors, radar and GPS, a driverless tractor pulling a grain cart “talks” to a combine, positions itself so the cart can receive grain from the combine and then sends the cart to be unloaded. This is a giant step from present technology in that it’s truly autonomous. One farmer can operate multiple systems at the same time, vastly increasing efficiency. Similar technology will allow equipment to talk to farmers and repair technicians. Imagine your tractor breaks down in the field. With telematics, you’ll be notified of the problem on your smartphone. Then you can have your dealer remotely access the onboard diagnostic system. Depending on the problem, they might be able to fix your equipment right from the dealer — no waiting on a mechanic to drive out. You’re back to work, and the dealer saved a trip, too. Farmers also will be able to remotely track what field their equipment is located, fuel consumption, operating hours and much more.
A better weather man
It may soon be possible for farmers to more accurately predict the weather on their particular farm. IBM is developing a weather-modeling service that uses temperature
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 2016
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Anita Kelly, extension fish health specialist for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, shows a tomato grown using new aquaponics techniques where fish and vegetables are raised together in tanks.
and moisture sensors on a farm, combined with satellite photos and atmospheric data, to deliver highly accurate, local weather conditions up to three days in advance. Calculations are as precise as a single mile and as often as every 10 minutes. In practical terms, a farmer armed with such precise weather-forecasting information may be able to postpone fertilizing an area of a farm expecting heavy rains or irrigate only that portion that will not receive rainfall.
Next-generation fish farms
Tomorrow’s fish farms might look more like vegetable gardens than ponds. At the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, researchers are growing peppers, tomatoes, onions and other vegetables in tanks full of fish. Waste produced by bass, bluegills and catfish fertilizes and feeds the plants in a soilless environment. The plants in turn cleanse the water of ammonia and nitrates, keeping it suitable for the fish. These aquaponics systems could become increasingly common as scientists seek new ways to increase food supplies and reduce pressure on depleted wild fish stocks.
Designer plants and animals
Biotechnology is the use of biological processes in plants and animals to develop products that improve our lives. This science already has enabled us to generate higher crop and livestock yields, reduce chemical and water use, enhance the nutritional value of many foods and produce foods free of allergens and toxins. Yet breakthroughs in the field continue driving major changes in agriculture. For example, by studying how a deadly pig virus spreads with the help of a particular protein, scientists may have found a way to eliminate porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, a deadly, incurable swine disease that
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costs North American producers more than $650 million annually. Using precise gene editing, scientists bred pigs that don’t produce the protein and therefore aren’t susceptible to the virus. They’re expected to be available in about five years, providing better risk-management options for producers. The production of new seed types has been hastened thanks to technology advances, too. Better computers and number-crunching software allow seed companies to analyze genetic data hundreds of times faster than they could just a decade ago. This means companies can bring improved seed products to the market much faster than before, greatly expanding the farmer’s choice of crops with beneficial traits. Near-future advances should include seeds that better use existing water and nitrogen. These could play important roles in Third World countries where hunger is worsening due to drought and poor soil quality. Advanced genetic technologies are enabling other amazing advances, as well. For example, people may soon be getting vaccinated for diseases like hepatitis B and cholera by simply taking a bite of apple or banana. Eating fruits genetically engineered to produce certain virus proteins allows human immune systems to build up antibodies to fight the diseases, just like traditional vaccines. We also could see disease-fighting breakfast foods. British scientists have created genetically modified hens that lay eggs containing medicinal proteins similar to drugs used to treat skin cancer and other diseases. This could lead to health advances never before thought possible. The fact is many of the agricultural innovations we’ll see in the next few years are sure to astound us. Scientific advances are quickly improving how we farm and raise livestock, helping us feed a hungry world, conserve resources and create a better future for all mankind.
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Arkansas Farm Bureau winter 2016 ARKANSAS AR ARK A RKA RK ANS NSAS NS AS FFA FAR FARM AR A RM B BUREAU UR URE U REA R AU U • W WI WINTER INTER NTTE NTE NT ER 2 2016 01 016 0 16 16
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S E A R C YY, A R K A N S A S THE BEST PRICES ON AG CHEMICALS WITH FREE DELIVERY TO YOUR FARM
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(870) 766-8416 • www.deanhendersonequipment.com 18 18
Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas ARKANSAS Farm FARM Bureau BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016
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Arkansas Agriculture
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ARKANSAS Farm FARM Bureau BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 2016 Arkansas
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Faces of Agriculture Pursuing his passion
Terry Norwood by Gregg Patterson
T
o meet Terry Norwood is to meet someone who really seems to enjoy what he’s doing. He’s a row-crop farmer. And he always wanted to be a farmer. Right out of high school he walked out of the classroom and into the field. No hesitation. There was no need to try and figure it out. “Never wanted to do anything else, so I started farming as soon as I got out of high school,” Norwood, 44, said. “I started farming with my dad. I grew up going to the fields with him.” Within three years, they formed a formal partnership. Terry and Donald Norwood, 73, have farmed together ever since. They farm
Row-crop farmer Terry Norwood says the most significant changes he’s seen in more than 25 years of farming have come from technological advances in seed, agricultural software programs and equipment to improve crop yields and make farming more efficient. Photo by Keith Sutton 1,500 acres of combined land they own and rent. Crops include soybeans (Terry’s favorite crop to grow), rice, wheat, sorghum and miscanthus, a tall grass used primarily to
make ethanol or as a base for animal feed. In his 26 years of farming, Norwood says technology advances have revolutionized the way he does things, and more breakthroughs
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Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas FARM ARKANSAS Farm Bureau BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016
are just around the corner. “It’s amazing how much the technology and equipment has advanced since I started farming, things like GMO crops. Looking at the future is exciting.” Norwood says he can’t wait to see what gets released next. “Seed technology has been great. Yields have increased by leaps and bounds. I’d never have dreamed that there would be 100-bushel (per acre) soybeans. I just see in the future that varieties are going to keep getting better and yields are going to keep increasing. I don’t think we’ve reached the ceiling yet,” he said. Norwood says the better equipment is also due to technological advances. He’s very impressed with aerial drone technology and its use in agriculture. “You can more efficiently scout your fields and cover your acreage faster,” he said. He’s hoping all of the rules for use and legality issues are taken care of soon, so aerial drones can become a part of everyday farming. Norwood says his greatest challenge right now in growing crops is efficient water delivery. “All of my soybean irrigation is furrow irrigated,” he said. He’s looking to improve water delivery with a new software program. Another program will help him improve fertility in his rice. Norwood says his father is “pretty open” to all of the new technology. “He loves the auto-steer,” Terry said, a big grin creasing his face. And who knows? There might be another generation of the Norwood family farming in the future with technology not even thought of yet. Terry and his wife, Wendy, have 7-yearold son Jordan who likes helping his father. “On one of the hottest days this summer, he was out there every step of the way stretching poly pipe with me,” Terry said. The couple also has a 5-yearold daughter, Taylor. Being involved with Farm Bureau at the county level is also a passion for Norwood. He’s presently in his fourth year as Greene County Farm Bureau president. Community service is important to him. “My dad had been on the Farm Bureau county board for years. It’s also helped me a lot with my farming just by becoming acquainted with other farmers and
Arkansas Agriculture
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learning how they do things,” Terry said. “I’ve made some really good friends in Farm Bureau. It’s a great organization, and I’ve really enjoyed being county president.” The Norwoods attend Eastside Baptist church in Paragould. Wendy is a Sunday school teacher for kindergarten-age children, and Terry proudly says with a laugh, “I’m the substitute teacher.” On Sunday nights, he
says they help in the church nursery. Terry Norwood is bullish on the future of farming, even with a growing world population that’s supposed to reach nine billion by 2050. “Farming can handle it. I don’t know what the picture of a farmer will be by then. It’s changed so much just since I’ve been farming,” he said. “But we can feed people.”
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www.arfb.com Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016
Rotor Wing Training Now Offered! In honor of our new Helo program, we at Flying Tigers in Partnership with Louisiana Delta Community College are pleased to offer an extreme discount for our Commercial Rotor Wing Add On training. However, because this price is so discounted, we will only be awarding it to our first five approved applicants. This is the time to let your dream take flight! When you mention you saw this on Facebook and have an approved application, you will receive the $21,999.00 price!
Call immediately, take advantage of this short term gift, and get flying into the career you have always wanted! Contact us at agpilot@flyingtigersaviation.com or by phone at 318-283-0837. Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 2016
Flying Tigers offers courses for a wide range of FAA certificates. UÊ }Ê-ÌÕ`i ÌÃÊÕÃiÊ Ì>LÀ >ÃÊÌ> Ê wheel training, ag turns work «>ÌÌiÀ ÃÊ> `Ê *-° UÊ } ÌÊÌÀ> }ÊVi ÌiÀÃÊ>À Õ `Ê ÕÀÊ two seater Turbine Thrush. UÊ À Õ `ÊÃV Ê V Õ`iÃÊ«Ài«>À>Ì Ê for the Commercial Pesticide Applicators Test, FAA, EPA, and "- ÊÀi}Õ >Ì Ã]Êi } iÃÊÀiV À`Ê keeping and safety. UÊ } ÌÊÌÀ> }Ê Ê }Ê"«iÀ>Ì ÃÊ and forestry work like firebombing. UÊ ÌÀ>VÌÊÌÀ> }Ê«À Û `iÀÊ vÊ Louisiana Delta College.
Contact us for more information at 318-283-0837 or by email at info@flyingtigersvaiation.com.
DRONE TRAINING ALSO AVAILABLE 23
Policy Update
Government contact made easy The end of the silent majority by Michelle Kitchens
T
housands of apps are on the market to help you do everything from bank to date. The most recent update of the Arkansas Farm Bureau app included an upgrade to the Government section. If you want to stay updated and in touch with your elected officials, the app is available for free to iPhone and Android users. The Government section of the app has five useful sections.
State Legislature
The 135 members of Arkansas’ General Assembly are listed in alphabetical order here. If you know the name of a legislator, you have three easy ways to locate them: scrolling through the list, using the letter index to the right or search by name. We also created a useful tool that sorts legislators by county since Farm Bureau is a county-based organization. The app also allows you to view only House or Senate members by using the check boxes. When you select a legislator, you bring up their information page. This page includes photos, phone numbers, email, address, party affiliation, committee assignments and other useful information. You can call or email your legislator directly from the app, allowing instant access to your elected official.
State officials and agencies
This section of the app features contact information for the state’s seven constitutional offices: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, land commissioner, auditor and treasurer. We also have included contact information for selected state agencies, particularly those dealing with agriculture, including the Arkansas Agriculture Department, State Plant Board and Livestock and Poultry Commission among others.
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U.S. Congress
Contact information for Arkansas’ six members of Congress is available here. Each page includes a photo, website links, information for their Washington, D.C. office and their state offices, as well as email links.
Issues
Arkansas Farm Bureau provides brief updates on policy-related issues in this space. The issues can be sorted by state or federal level and are searchable.
Map
Knowing that many citizens struggle to stay current with who represents them in the state General Assembly or Congress, we added this mapping feature. You have two simple ways to search. You can touch anywhere on the map of Arkansas, and it will pull up the elected officials associated with that location. Or for a more refined search, select the search button and enter your address. Let’s use the Farm Bureau Center address: 10720 Kanis Road,
Little Rock, 72211. When you enter that address, the app pulls up U.S. Congressman French Hill, Arkansas State Senator Joyce Elliot and Arkansas House Representative John Walker and maps of their districts. From this page, you can go to the congressmen’s information page or at the bottom of the screen you will find arrows that let you go to your Arkansas Senate or House member. This mapping feature is handy if you or someone you know is unclear on their representation. (Note: U.S. Senators and Arkansas constitutional officers are not included in the mapping feature, because they are elected to represent and serve the entire state.) One of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s central missions is to advocate in the public arena for farm families. We want to prepare and inform our members to help us succeed with that mission. If you’re interested in staying in touch with your elected officials or updated on current issues, download the app today.
Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016
Advocate.
From anywhere. Updated phone & tablet app make advocating for Arkansas agriculture easier than ever before.
Take advantage of these new updated features: ISSUES: Keep yourself informed with up-to-date information on important farm policy issues. STATE LEGISLATURE: The “Government” section of our app gives you quick access to contact information for every member of the Arkansas General Assembly. You can call or email their offices straight from the app.
To download visit the app store on iPhone or Android and search for ARFB Get it on
OFFICIALS & AGENCIES: Handy access to contact information for state constitutional offices and agency heads. U.S. CONGRESS: Use our app to make your voice heard. We’ve made it easier than ever to share your opinions on agriculture issues with your Senators and Representatives. MAP: Search the map for your state and federal elected officials. This feature allows you to enter any address or simply touch the map to find your elected officials. Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau Arkansas Agriculture | ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 2016
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Arkansas Agriculture |
ARKANSAS Farm FARM Bureau BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 Arkansas
Can We Lease Your Land for Our Solar Farms?
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We Will Pay $750-$1,250/Acre/Year – 20 to 40 Yr. Lease We Require Large Tracts of Land (Over 125 Acres) w/ 3Phase Power for Our Solar Farms Large Land Tracts Needed – Land Cannot be in Flood Zone – Must Not Be Wetlands
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Arkansas ARKANSAS Farm FARM Bureau BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 2016
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RuralReflections
Hidden in a beautiful canyon in the Johnson County portion of Ozark National Forest, Pam’s Grotto features a gorgeous waterfall that tumbles 37 feet to a tranquil pool of turquoise water. Photo by Keith Sutton 28 28
Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016
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Arkansas FARM Farm Bureau ARKANSAS BUREAU • winter WINTER 2016 2016
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