Arkansas Agriculture - Summer 2016 by Arkansas Farm Bureau

SUMMER 2016

Life of a

Truck Farmer

Peanut Farming Spreads iFarm, iVote

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2016

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Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

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features Life of a Truck Farmer Gregg Patterson | Page 6

Peanut Planting Spreading Rob Anderson | Page 16

COLUMNS

Farm Bureau Perspective Randy Veach | Page 3

Policy Update

Michelle Kitchens | Page 14

Rural Reflections Photo

Page 26

SUMMER 2016

Life of a

Truck Farmer

Peanut Farming Spreads iFarm, iVote On the Cover

Berry and vegetable farmer Clyde Fenton of Harrison makes his living as a truck farmer. These multi-crop farmers face numerous challenges in producing some of the tastiest food youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ever eat. Photo by Keith Sutton

SUMMER 2016

Edition 42

Farm Bureau Perspective By Randy Veach | President, Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

Why C&H Hog Farm Matters to all Farmers, Ranchers

group intent on restricting the rights of the farmers who own and operate the C&H Hog Farm in Newton County is openly questioning the objectivity of the water-quality research being undertaken by the state-sponsored Big Creek Research and Extension Team. The Buffalo River Coalition, a group whose primary mission appears to be to prohibit the three families who operate C&H from using their land, held a news conference recently to undercut the research findings of the Big Creek team. And while I share the Buffalo River Coalition’s passion to protect the river, I could not be further from their position on Big Creek’s research. And I object to their efforts to inject fear in an attempt to disrupt C&H’s right to farm responsibly. Sound science, not emotion, must rule in this situation. The published science – after more than two years of study – indicates C&H has had no impact on water quality in the Buffalo River watershed. Dr. Andrew Sharpley, an internationally recognized scientist at the University of Arkansas whose career has been spent studying the effects of agricultural practices on water quality, leads the research team. His distinguished standing in the scientific community is reflected by his recent election as president of the Soil Science Society of America. Frankly, his reputation is above reproach, and we’re fortunate to have him working and teaching in Arkansas. While showing support for the Big Creek research in this space will likely bring further complaint from those working against these farmers, the science must be the barometer here. I believe the sole reason the Buffalo River Coalition is trying to undercut the work of the Big Creek team is simply because it doesn’t agree with the results of that research. If the findings were against the farm families who run C&H, you can bet your last dollar the Buffalo River Coalition would be championing it

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

as cause to shut down the farm! The group talks of peril and pollution in the Buffalo River as if C&H has been proven to be a problem. They ignore the science, which I believe makes its argument appear to reasonable people to be misguided and intellectually dishonest. While complaining about C&H, the group ignores the threat to the river of human use, the impact of wildlife on water quality and the impact of sometimes leaky municipal water and septic systems. C&H, frankly, has been evaluated with more scrutiny than any other farm in the state of Arkansas – and quite possibly the entire country – and has earned its clean record. Those who attempt to undercut the objectivity of the Big Creek team are attempting to hijack science. That’s why all farmers and ranchers should be paying attention as this situation plays out. These farmers – cousins Richard and Philip Campbell and Jason Henson and their families – have played by the rules. Two-plus years of study and analysis by the Big Creek team, a detailed inspection by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and numerous state evaluations haven’t found any issues with the hog farm. Yet these farmers continue to be attacked, not because of scientific evidence, but simply because of the location of their farm in the Buffalo River watershed. I know the farmers involved with C&H Hog Farm. Their family history in the county, which goes back nine generations and 200 years, demonstrates they have a long-term view of farm and environmental sustainability. I’ve been on their property. I’ve heard them discuss their passion for family, farming and the environment. I dare say, no one fighting against C&H is a bigger environmentalist than these farm families. We continue to support the farmers who own and operate C&H Hog Farm. And we support the sound science being employed by the Big Creek Research and Extension Team. *

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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President • Randy Veach, Manila Vice President • Rich Hillman, Carlisle Secretary/Treasurer • Joe Christian, Jonesboro Executive Vice President • Warren Carter, Little Rock Directors:

Troy Buck, Alpine Jon Carroll, Moro Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart Sherry Felts, Joiner Mike Freeze, England Bruce Jackson, Lockesburg Tom Jones, Pottsville Gene Pharr, Lincoln Caleb Plyler, Hope Rusty Smith, Des Arc Leo Sutterfield, Mountain View Joe Thrash, Houston Dan Wright, Waldron

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Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

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Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Clyde Fenton shows off some of the beautiful winter squash he grows on his 27-acre farm in Boone County.

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2016

Life of a Truck Farmer Loving the farming process by Gregg Patterson photos by Keith Sutton

ummer’s heat moves with hot, furnace-like suddenness throughout the rolling Ozark hills and valleys outside Harrison. Wind gusts reaching 10-15 mph punch across the ridge top. The mid-morning heat hits exposed skin much like when opening the top of an outdoor grill to check cooking food. Vegetable and berry farmer Clyde Fenton, clothing soaked in sweat, emerges from between tall, forest-like rows of blackberry bushes, a resigned “shoulda-coulda-woulda” look on his face. Yellow police crime-scene tape blocks access to two long rows of blackberry bushes. A crime has been committed here, and the perpetrator is still killing and destroying with no concern right in front of our eyes. The damage is significant. Leaves reduced to discolored blotchy surfaces or to delicate lacelike remnants. Once plump, juicy blackberries and blueberries from nearby bushes now slimy mush. This is the work of the notorious Japanese beetle, a brightemerald and iridescent copper-colored insect about the size of your pinky fingernail. “I should have sprayed them all at once,” Fenton says. “I waited two days on these bushes and the beetles have almost killed them all.” It’s late June, and the U-pick blueberry and blackberry seasons are in full swing on Fenton’s Berry Farm. Of course Fenton has enough healthy plants and plenty of berries for his customers to pick and get him through the season. However, it’s the swiftness of destruction caused by the beetles in only two days that’s taken him by surprise. Such is the life of a truck farmer, a catch-all term to describe that hardy group growing and selling produce

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

at farmers markets, roadside stands or via U-pick operations. Unlike row-crop farmers who may farm just three to five crops on several thousand acres, truck farmers grow many different crops – often a dozen or more. More individual crops mean more pests, more diseases and more of everything to watch out for. Fenton grows his fruit and vegetables on 5 intensively managed acres of the 27 that make up his farm. He likes most to identify himself as a berry farmer. He says it’s his passion, particularly strawberries. He also grows blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. He began learning those skills as a teenager, first helping his grandfather, then his uncle and later running his own berry farm in New York with his wife Veronica, who is from Arkansas. That passion for berry farming took root after a detour when he attended a bible college in Pennsylvania in pursuit of a theology degree. He earned his degree then began working sowing seeds for saving souls instead of growing berries. Then, between jobs, Fenton answered a help-wanted ad requesting someone with blueberry pruning skills. He got the job and soon got a letter from his uncle to come back to New York to manage the berry farm. He and his wife went back, and his passion for berry farming took hold. He’s never looked back. Fenton always fancied himself as a strawberry farmer. That’s what he and his uncle focused on back in New York. That’s what he wanted to concentrate on in Arkansas. “When I came here, I intended to be a strawberry farmer. I was interested in blueberries, too, but I knew that would take time to develop,” he said.

He was experienced using the traditional matted-row system of growing strawberries, and the technique adapted well to Arkansas. The strawberry plants are planted 20 inches apart, and the space between eventually fills in as the plant’s runners grow out over the ground. However, he soon became frustrated when rainy springs caused him to lose his crop. That’s when growing strawberries under a high tunnel structure got his interest. The high tunnel looks much like a greenhouse. It provides overhead protection for the plants, virtually eliminating crop

loss due to too much rain. As any farmer will readily admit, weather is a harsh teacher. One year, it was those excessive spring rains that destroyed Fenton’s strawberry crop. Another year, it was a hard freeze. Clyde Fenton strawberry farmer became Clyde Fenton vegetable farmer. “It was early April, and I had to get some kind of crop in the ground,” Fenton said. “So I planted vegetables. I had to have some kind of income.” He now grows sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, green beans, okra, potatoes, onions

Fenton switched to growing strawberries in high tunnels after losing entire crops to excessive rain and killer freezes. His yields per plant can be as high as 1-½ to 2 lbs. compared to 1 lb. per plant when grown in the open.

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Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Fenton enjoys the relationships he builds with his customers at the farm and in his store. He’s convinced that building relationships is the best way to influence people and tell the farming story. and a variety of squashes, as well as melons and pumpkins. Fenton grows what he loves to grow. But he also knows he has to grow what the public wants to buy. “Certainly with truck farming, we have learned you’ve got to know your market. There are things I could grow fantastically here,” Fenton said. “But if people aren’t going to buy them, there’s no point in growing them. So we’ve learned to stick with the things that sell well for us.” Growing onions is a good example. He says onions work very well for him. “At the time we plant them, we’re not buried (in work) with everything else. We can get them in

and set without a lot of extra effort,” he said. And, of course, they sell well. Comparatively, Fenton says tomatoes are labor intensive. “But they’re so profitable to us. It’s worth us spending the time on it.” The process of choosing that mixture of fruits and vegetables that will provide a revenue stream from spring through the fall begins in December. That’s when the new seed offerings start showing up in catalogs in Fenton’s mailbox or online. In late January, it’s time to prune the blueberry bushes once the plants have achieved full dormancy. “Blueberry pruning is a process that takes up to 10 minutes per bush if you’re doing it well,” Fenton said. “We’ve got 800 to a thousand bushes. So there’s a fairly substantial time investment in that activity.” Fenton says February and March are when “… we really hammer…” blackberry trellising. It has to be done before bud swell and bud break occur in late March. Fenton says by the end of March he already has potatoes and onions planted, tomatoes started and is deeply into strawberry plant maintenance in advance of the impending crop. Spider mites can be a problem in the high tunnels where his strawberries grow. And it’s necessary to irrigate the strawberry plants. “You’re juggling pruning, getting plants started and putting some of the crops out,” Fenton said. In late April, it’s time to plant the summer vegetables. Fenton says strawberry season this year got started early. Picking began the first week of March and ended the beginning of June. “Every year is different, but we went about 12 weeks,” he said. “In New York, it lasted about three weeks.” Once strawberries are finished, raspberries are next sometime in May. Then June and July it’s blueberries and blackberries. Throughout the summer months on into September, Fenton says he gets into what he terms “general vegetables.” All the stuff that’s available at his store on State Highway 7 South.

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

He likes to have pumpkins planted by July 1, so they’re ready by late September on into October along with winter squashes. Up until last year, Fenton had always done a pumpkin patch where families could come to the farm and pick their own pumpkins. Last year, when he and Veronica opened their store, he skipped the U-pick pumpkin patch. That’s when his phone started ringing. “We had an awful lot of calls from people who wanted to come out and pick their own pumpkins. They’re looking for an experience,” Fenton said. He says people are willing to pay for that kind of experience much like those who come and pick berries. “It’s a family thing. They really look forward to that kind of experience and showing their kids where blueberries come from and how strawberries and pumpkins are grown,” he said. “We realized last year by not having the pick-your-own pumpkin patch that we probably need to add that back, even if we do it on a smaller scale. There’s a real interest in people coming out to the country and seeing how things grow.” November on into December is cleanup time around the farm in preparation for the new growing season. “There’s always something to do,” Fenton said. “That’s just the way farming is.” He and Veronica love having the store. It’s open six days a week with regular hours that people can depend on. Clyde says being able to sell six days a week instead of only two or three days a week at a farmers market is a big plus. They also enjoy meeting and talking to their customers and telling them about the farm and what they grow. “In order to influence people, you’ve got to have a relationship with people. And that’s something as a farmer, we develop relationships with people,” he said. “With the store and people coming to the farm – as much as you hate for them to come see a problem with the Japanese beetles – it’s good for them to understand what we face, see the damage and see the insects. Then maybe they’ll have a little more compassion when they see the challenges we face. I love the process of figuring it all out. Like I said, I should have sprayed them all at once.” * Fenton and his wife, Veronica, sell produce from his farm, as well as other locally raised products from other Arkansas farms.

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Numerous challenges go along with raising more than a dozen different crops. Here, Japanese beetles significantly damaged parts of Fentonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blueberry and blackberry plants.

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2016

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Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

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Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Policy Update Photo by Keith Sutton

iFarm, iVote by Michelle Kitchens

here’s a lot of noise this election year. Candidates for president have been campaigning for more than a year. Many voters, no doubt, are already fatigued, but they’re trying to find out who will align with their needs and address their concerns. While the presidential election consumes most of the media’s attention, there are also important races for U.S. Congress, Arkansas’ General Assembly and many local positions that deserve voter scrutiny. Agriculture and rural issues don’t always register on a candidate’s radar. Trade, immigration, infrastructure and farm programs are critically important to agriculture. On a state level, farmers are actively seeking a favorable tax code, better internet service, good rural schools and strong property rights laws among other things. How can Farm Bureau members put these issues in the minds of candidates? Most Arkansas Farm Bureau members’ households include multiple registered voters. Farm Bureau wants to let candidates and the public know that farmers are at the ballot box. We need your help to tell that message. Arkansas Farm Bureau is launching the “iFarm, iVote” campaign this summer. The first part of this campaign is to raise awareness that farmers vote. They care about this election and an abundance of issues. Farm Bureau will be using multiple media platforms, county fairs and other events to amplify our message. Come by our county fair booths to learn more about iFarm, iVote. Farm Bureau members will be the face of this campaign. Participation is simple. Here are the quick steps to being a part of this great awareness program. • Download and print an iFarm, iVote sign from www.arfb.com or simply clip out the one on the adjacent page.

Farmers and ranchers can be very influential in electing those who represent them in political offices from the local to the national level. Sandra and Bruce Jackson of Lockesburg show their support of Farm Bureau’s “iFarm, iVote” program. • Have a photo taken of you holding the sign on your farm. It can be on your tractor, in your fields, with your drone, with your livestock, picking your peaches, milking the cows, etc. • Post that photo on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook and tag Arkansas Farm Bureau (usernames are listed below). Use the hashtag #iFarmiVoteAR. Caption it with agriculture or rural issues you care about. Examples: “I’m Kaitlin, and I’m voting in my first election this fall. I care about rural education, healthy rural communities and future job opportunities.” #iFarmiVoteAR. “I’m Leon, and I want to hear candidates’ thoughts on

Arkansas Agriculture

property rights, taxes and highways.” Or simply say “iFarm, iVote.” P Facebook (Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation) P Instagram (@arfb1935) P Twitter (@arfb) • If you’re not on social media but want to participate, take the photo and email it to: keith.sutton@arfb.com • Solicit the help of your children or grandchildren. Show them this story, and they’ll know what to do. It’s more important than ever for farmers and ranchers to show up on Election Day. You farm, you vote! Arkansas Farm Bureau wants to help you share that with the world. Start sending those pictures Farm Bureau will be your megaphone. *

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

About the contest: Arkansas Farm Bureau’s YF&R Discussion Meet is a discussion contest related to issues that affect U.S. agriculture. The contest will be Nov. 30 in Hot Springs. Deadline for entry is Nov. 22. The winner will win $7000 toward the ATV or side-by-side of their choice sponsored by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. To enter call 501-228-1247. Contact your county Farm Bureau office or visit www.arfb.com/get-involved/young_fr/discussion for more info.

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Peanut production is growing in Arkansas as farmers planted more than 20,000 acres this year. Tab Wildy of Wildy Farms says the farm is increasing its peanut acreage. He says itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good rotation crop to follow-up with after cotton. Photo by Keith Sutton

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Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2016

Peanut Planting Spreading Legume boom taking hold by Rob Anderson

ccording to legend, Arkansas native Johnny Cash occasionally snacked on cotton buds while working the Delta fields as a boy. It made him sick to his stomach. Later in life, peanuts, a favorite of his father, became Cash’s more digestible snack of choice. He’d bring a supply with him when touring and would often sprinkle them as a tribute when he visited his father’s grave. The late, great “Man in Black” might be pleased to know that peanuts have caught on as a crop in his native state. In fact, Arkansas has seen steady increases in peanut planting for several years, with 2016 peanut acreage set to break records. “It looks like we’re going to have more peanuts in the state than we’ve ever had,” said Travis Faske, extension plant pathologist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “As of late May, probably more than 90 percent of peanut acres have been planted already, and we estimate that we’ll have around 22,500 acres planted this year.” Faske says the previous peanut acreage high for Arkansas came in 2012, when a little more than 18,500 acres of the legume were planted in the state. In 2015, Arkansas growers planted more than 16,000 acres of peanuts. Earlier this year, Faske predicted 2016 would see moderate growth of around 20 percent over 2015 planting totals, but profit potential made the crop more popular with Arkansas farmers than expected. “It’s one of only a few crops that are paying out right now,” he said. “It’s a crop that is getting high yields and penciling out to be profitable.” Arkansas is now one of the top peanut-producing states in the U.S. According to the National Peanut Board, peanuts are grown commercially in 13 states, 11 of which are deemed “major production” states. Arkansas is one of these major production states, having achieved that designation by producing at least 10,000 tons for three consecutive years. According to Faske, the state has continued to reach and exceed the 10,000-ton mark for the past several years.

Arkansas

Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Thanks to the state’s strength in peanut production, Arkansas now has a spot on the National Peanut Board. Lawrence County farmer Gregory Gill is the current treasurer of the board, while Greg Baltz, a grower from Randolph County, is a board alternate. The major producing states are grouped into three regions, with Arkansas falling into the Southwest Region with Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. The Southwest Region grows about 11 percent of U.S. peanuts, while the Southeast Region – Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi – produced 72 percent. So, how far will Arkansas’s peanut push go? And what moved Arkansas into the peanut game in the first place? Faske says there are a number of factors in play, but the economics are key, even though the price for peanuts has dropped in recent years. “We don’t have the price per ton like we did in 2012 and 2013. It has significantly dropped since then from several years ago,” Faske explained. “We were at $500 a ton and now we’re at $350 to $375, so the profit margin is a little tighter. However, with higher yields, most have been able to (still) be profitable.” Tab Wildy of Wildy Family Farms in Manilla says he and his family have found peanuts to be a valuable addition to their farming operation. “It’s a great rotation crop if you’re a cotton grower. It gives you a pretty good bump when you follow peanuts,” he said. Faske says that farmers who’ve made an investment in peanut planting and the equipment required for growing the crop will likely continue for some time, and the value as a rotation crop will be a key driver. “The rotation is great for controlling the southern root-knot nematode (a microscopic parasite) in cotton. And the opportunity to have a higher yield and yield potential in our area has been good.” he said. Faske adds that Arkansas growers produce high-quality peanuts, because they can irrigate their crops, which is an advantage in peanut growing and helps avoid issues with aflatoxins – a toxic compound produced by certain fungi – which other states have had. Another reason for the uptick in peanut planting is the sandy soils of northeast Arkansas that are so ideal for cotton production are also suitable for the legumes. When cotton prices plummeted in 2011 and peanut industry officials were looking for new farmers to offset a shortage of production in other states, a number of farmers in Randolph and Lawrence counties shifted acreage to peanuts, taking advantage of prices that approached $1,000 a ton. Jeremy Baltz, co-owner of Ag Headquarters Peanut Buying Point in Pocahontas, a commissioned buying point for northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri, says peanuts “just fit soils differently.” Peanuts, he explains, offer a chance to use looser, sandier, more marginal ground. They also produce

significantly more revenue than other crops that work in such ground, like soybeans. “It does take different equipment to grow peanuts. It takes more energy and time and labor to harvest them. But, they’re a higher-grossing crop than, say, soybeans or grain sorghum,” Baltz said. He started Ag Headquarters with his brother Kyle through a deal with Clint Williams Co., a peanut-shelling group based in Oklahoma. Baltz’s cousin is National Peanut Board alternate member Greg Baltz. Like Wildy and Faske, Baltz points to the effectiveness of using peanuts as a rotational crop. “A lot of our growers are seeing a large – 10 to 25 bushel in some cases – increases in corn following peanuts. I think growers are adding some of those economics into their decision making,” he said. The economics of planting peanuts are attractive not only

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Peanuts grow well in the sandy soils found in northeast Arkansas. Univ. of Arkansas Division of Agriculture photo

because of price and yield, but because the 2014 farm bill, which provides income support for peanut producers and landowners through market-triggered government payments. This peanut program funding is set to last through the 2018 season. Wildy says his family began working with peanuts for the first time last year, planting 760 acres and purchasing two combines for the crop. While he acknowledges that the farm bill payment program provides some security, he says they were motivated to plant more peanuts this year because of the success they had in 2015. “We dove in, and it was a really good experience. It yielded and it paid,” he said. “We’re growing 1,670 acres this year, and it seems like every farmer in our area is wanting in. Lots of them are trying to get their foot in the door.” While discussing his family’s success and the growing peanut interest in his area, Wildy points out that there are, in fact, some

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

challenges that lie ahead for peanut growers in Arkansas. “Our buying points are running out of capacity,” he said. “They bogged down a little bit last year with so many peanuts coming in, and they’re getting maxed out, so we could really use more.” Arkansas has two main buying points – Baltz’s operation in Pocahantas, and another in Walnut Ridge operated by Birdsong Peanuts Corp. Faske acknowledges Golden Peanuts and Birdsong for their commitment to buying Arkansas peanuts and providing some stability for Arkansas growers, but admits that “we are at a point where we could use another buying point to be able to sustain the production.” Faske says there’s a potential market for peanut byproducts, too. However, opening this market would require sending peanuts to a shelling operation, which Arkansas doesn’t have. “The problem is the closest shellers are in West Texas or Alabama or Georgia, so shipping to those would be an expense.

We need a sheller, and it would be great to have a sheller, but setting up shellers seems to me to be like establishing new gas refineries,” he said. “There’s a lot of expense that goes into it on the front end, and it takes a long time for those to pay out.” Baltz agrees that infrastructure challenges are the primary stumbling blocks to ongoing peanut growth. “Probably our limiting factor on peanut acres right now is just industry capacity to get them from the field into the consumers’ hands,” Baltz said. “Until the general economics of agriculture change, I don’t know if we’ll see a lot of investment in infrastructure.” Despite these challenges and other issues such as weed control, Faske, Baltz and Wildy are all confident that peanuts will remain a strong presence on the Arkansas agriculture landscape for the foreseeable future. “We’ve got 10 to 12 (growers) in our immediate area, but we’re growing. We’re also handling peanuts for guys all the way from Searcy up to Sikeston, Missouri,” Baltz said. “We’re probably working with close to 20 growers, and all of them – or at least 90 percent of them – have invested in harvest equipment and planting equipment.”

Baltz says he believes these growers have been happy with their investments and don’t plan to stop now. “They know more than they did five years ago. They know where peanuts fit well and where they don’t fit well,” he said. “They’re just more seasoned growers now.” For his part, Wildy says working with peanuts has been a fun change of pace and as long as prices remain acceptable, they’ll be planting the legumes for years to come. “The production is here to stay. This is not a flash in the pan type of situation,” Faske said. “I think it’s going to be around for a while, and more people are going to be taking notice. And it’s definitely an interesting crop to work with.” While peanuts may still be considered a niche crop, Baltz says for many farmers, they’ve become something much more. In fact, he says, for “some guys with the right soils, peanuts have been a way for them to turn their farms around. “Arkansas is just a great place to grow crops. I think any crop that’s suited for this area, any crop that we put our minds to, we can grow and grow well,” Baltz said. “I think our abundant supply of water, our variety of soils help make peanuts work here, just as they make so many other crops work here.” *

Limiting factors to extending the growth of peanut farming in Arkansas includes the need for more buying points and the need for a sheller operation. Univ. of Arkansas Division of Agriculture photo

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Can We Lease Your Land for Our Solar Farms?

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Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

“With the operation we have, the electric

bills are huge – this investment has definitely reduced our operating expenses.” - Mike Wishall, Wishall Farms

Have you recently been approached by a company selling the benefits of buying solar energy? Let Harvest Energy Solutions show you how we can save you more money than our competitors! “We have two solar arrays, one for my home and one for the shop - they both save us money on our electricity costs, which is important to our family and our business. We were so impressed with Harvest Energy that we became an authorized Harvest Dealer. We highly recommend Harvest Energy – they are really great to work with!” - Mike Wishall, Wishall Farms

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Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Exclusive $500 Member Private Offer is Available at any Arkansas Chevy, GMC or Buick Dealer. Offer valid toward the lease or purchase of new 2015 and 2016 Chevrolet, GMC and Buick models. This offer is not available with some other offers, including private offers (for example, Owner Loyalty). Offer is available with GM Business Choice. Not valid on prior purchases. Valid FB Membership Verification Certificate must be presented to dealer prior to delivery of new vehicle. One Certificate per vehicle. Eligible FB members may obtain an unlimited number of valid Certificates. Certificates do expire. To be eligible, customers must be an active member of a participating state Farm Bureau for at least 60 consecutive days prior to date of vehicle delivery. Program subject to change without notice. See dealer for complete details.

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13101 Chenal Parkway Little Rock, AR 72211 www.balechevrolet.com

Teeter Chevrolet

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GMC 421 E. 9th St., Rector 877 808-3787 www.glensain.com

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Farm Bureau members can get a $5001 private offer toward the purchase or lease of most new GM vehicles, including the Chevrolet Silverado 2500hD and 3500hD lineup. Visit fbverify.com for more details. They get tough jobs done with a maximum payload of up to 6,635 lbs.2 and a conventional towing capacity of up to 17,000 lbs.3 And through the GM Business Choice Program,4 business owners receive even more when purchasing or leasing an eligible Chevrolet or GMC truck or van for business use. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com for details.

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To Learn More About These And Other Valuable Member Offers Visit… 24

www.arfb.com Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

The EASY DR® Way to TRIM and MOW! NEW LOW PRICE!

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from farm to table

Our Taste Arkansas food blog connects those interested in food production with the farmers & ranchers who provide an abundance of Arkansas agricultural products.

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• The YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Contest is for individuals or couples involved in agriculture and active in Farm Bureau. • Entrants must derive the majority of income away from the farm. • Deadline for entry is Nov. 7. • Winner receives a Polaris Ranger UTV. • Applications are at www.arfb.com/get-involved/young_fr/excellence.

For additional details, call 501-228-1247.

RuralReflections

Fresh tomatoes await a buyer at Fentonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farm Market near Harrison. Most home gardeners grow tomatoes, and they are commercially produced in southeast Arkansas and a few other parts of the state. In 2015, Natural State farmers raised more than 15 million pounds, with production valued at more than $9 million.

26 26

Arkansas Agriculture

Photo by Keith Sutton

Arkansas Farm Bureau â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2016

GREAT DRIVES START WITH

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www.sbimetalbuildings.com Hot Springs, Arkansas

Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings manufactured by SBI Metal Buildings: Equipment Sheds, Churches, Arenas, Airport Hangars, Shopping Strips, Family Life Centers, Mini Storages, Manufacturing Facilities, Etc. Components, metal roofing panels, Cee’s, Zee’s, & Trim. SBI is a single source manufacturer located in Hot Springs, AR.

When you want the best, you want SBI. Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

t Grower Direct

Grow half-dollar size Muscadines and Blackberries. We also offer over 200 varieties of Fruit and Nut Trees plus Vine and Berry Plants

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Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 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

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Flying Tigers offers courses for a wide range of FAA certificates. • Ag Students use Citabrias tail wheel training, ag turns work patterns and GPS. • Flight training centers around our two seater Turbine Thrush. • Ground school includes preparation for the Commercial Pesticide Applicators Test, FAA, EPA, and OSHA regulations, engines record keeping and safety. • Flight training in Ag Operations and forestry work like firebombing. • Contract training provider of Louisiana Delta College.

DRONE TRAINING ALSO AVAILABLE 1

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Little Rock, AR Permit No. 1884

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