Front Porch, Fall 2020 Issue

FALL 2020

Scary Times in the

Pumpkin Patch 2020 proves challenging for Arkansas Agritourism

Plus,

Why Issue 1 Matters Family Secret Pie Recipe

Celebrating

Arkansas’s top row crop

November is Soybean Month in Arkansas. This month, we’re gearing up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board in 2021. You can join in the celebration too! Send us your photos of how you enjoy soy on the farm or at home in the kitchen. Tag us in your photos on social media and share your favorite soy-based recipes by using #ARSoybeanMonth.

Follow ASPB on social media

Social icon

Rounded square Only use blue and/or white.

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

Porch Front

6 CONTENT

Farm Bureau Matters

3

Helping Farmers, Helping You

5

Rich Hillman

Warren Carter

Scary Times for Agritourism

Rob Anderson, Ken Moore and Gregg Patterson

Vote for Better Roads, Vote Issue 1

15

Member Services Update

22

Rural Road Stories

24

Taste Arkansas

28

Delta Child

32

Keith Sutton

Autumn Wood Keith Sutton

Ashley Wallace

Talya Tate Boerner

15

6

28

Cover design by Bryan Pistole

2

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

FARM BUREAU MATTERS

with Rich Hillman

ARFB PRESIDENT

W

much, much more under trying times. That, too, is the good stuff. hen I was growing up, my mom used to cook a big Our state board of directors has continued to do its jobs as breakfast every morning before I would go to school well. We have had numerous in-person meetings in the past or head out to work in the summer. Bacon, eggs, several months. They have continued to drive to our state office toast, grits. You name it, we had it. from all corners of the state. Just in the last several weeks they My dad would usually have already left for work by the time have made some monumental decisions to help assist so many I got to the table, and my older brother Hal didn’t have nearly the people of our state. You can see Warren Carter’s column in this interest in breakfast that I had. That normally left my mom and I addition to see our board’s and this organization commitments to as the only two at the breakfast table. our states’ youth and those in need. That truly is the good stuff.

Many of those days I would be complaining about a test In addition to that, our state Women’s at school, being bruised up from Leadership Committee, along with the football practice or just the dread With the benefit of Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, gave of having to go battle the heat and a much-needed donation from Arkansas mosquitoes on the farm that day. hindsight, I now more Farm Bureau Foundation to the Ronald Mom would say “today, let’s just talk fully appreciate the value McDonald House, which feeds families that about the good stuff.” That meant no are going through tough personal times. more griping about what was wrong. and wisdom of the words Year after year county Farm Bureau give We were only going to talk about countless scholarships to students from their what was right, my mom’s way of my mom shared those communities. Our members also give to local saying “look on the bright side.” mornings at the breakfast food banks and feed hungry kids through With the benefit of hindsight, programs. Good stuff, indeed.

I now more fully appreciate the table. “Today, let’s just talk backpack Our Farm Bureau Family also includes value and wisdom of the words my Farm Bureau Insurance companies. They also mom shared those mornings at the about the good stuff.” have gotten the job done. This year continues breakfast table. “Today, let’s just talk to be a challenge from storms, but our great about the good stuff.” I now hold staff has made sure our folks are protected. All segments of the those words closely, their impact more meaningful since my mom insurance companies have worked to serve our families, and passed away less than a year ago. they do it better than anybody. On top of the best service, our So, I will dispense, for this column, with the 1,000-pound insurance company donated a half of a million dollars to the gorilla that is lurking just behind all of our backs, that being Arkansas Food Bank to distribute all over our state. You can bet COVID-19, which continues to affect all of our lives. Just for a that is the good stuff! minute put that aside.

On a personal note, my wife and many gracious volunteers I am proud to be an Arkansas farmer and to be part of raising through our small local church, feed hungry people in our the food, fiber and shelter for others in my small community. community every month. They distribute, with the help of the But I’m also proud to be a part of making sure that the grocery Arkansas Food Bank, thousands of pounds of food to people that shelves are stocked in our great state and nation. We, the farmers are so grateful it’s absolutely a blessing for our small, rural town. I and ranchers in our state, have fulfilled our obligation of getting know many of you help in your communities, too. Thank you for that job done this year. That’s what we do. Through challenge after that, and yes, that’s the good stuff! challenge, our farmers and ranchers have delivered. That’s the When I look around, I see a lot of positive things around our good stuff. state. All because I hear my mom telling me to search for “the Our employees of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation have good stuff.” met challenges also. But through those difficulties they have still Thanks, mom, for breakfast all those mornings and for life got the job done. They have been gearing up for our next state lessons that I will carry with me always. The love and admiration legislative session, continuing to keep our county leadership I hold for you will always be the good stuff! • informed and involved with very important issues, doing this and

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

3

Porch Front

Official membership publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation mailed to almost 190,000 member-families.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Included in membership dues ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU OFFICERS:

President • Rich Hillman, Carlisle Vice President • Mike Freeze, Little Rock Secretary/Treasurer • Dan Wright, Waldron Executive Vice President • Warren Carter, Little Rock DIRECTORS:

Jon Carroll, Moro Joe Christian, Jonesboro Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart Sherry Felts, Joiner Chase Groves, Garland City Tom Jones, Pottsville Terry Laster, Strong Jeremy Miller, Huntsville Gene Pharr, Lincoln Caleb Plyler, Hope Rusty Smith, Des Arc Joe Thrash, Houston EX OFFICIO

Magen Allen, Bismarck Dustin Cowell, Mount Judea Kerry Stiles, Marianna Reed Storey, Marvell Executive Editor • Steve Eddington Editor • Rob Anderson Contributing Writers • Ken Moore, Gregg Patterson, Ashley Wallace, Keith Sutton ADVERTISING

Contact David Brown at Publishing Concepts for advertising rates dbrown@pcipublishing.com (501) 221-9986 ext. 103 Fax (501) 225-3735 Front Porch (USPS 019-879) is published quarterly by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation 10720 Kanis Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211 Periodicals Postage paid at Little Rock, AR POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Rhonda Whitley at rhonda.whitley@arfb.com Front Porch • P.O. Box 31 • Little Rock, AR 72203 Please provide membership number Issue #117 Publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation reserves the right to accept or reject all advertising requests.

4

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

HELPING FARMERS, HELPING YOU

with Warren Carter ARFB EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

I

’ve been thinking a lot about the future lately, and it’s not entirely because the present is so challenging and unusual.

Certainly, 2020 has given all of us a lot to overcome and numerous reasons to look ahead to next year, but I’ve been considering the importance of building for the future well beyond 2021 and laying the groundwork for the future success of farming and ranching in Arkansas and of the Arkansas Farm Bureau.

When I was thinking about this column, I went looking for inspiration and found some interesting quotes about preparing for the future. I like Gandhi’s simple statement, “the future depends on what we do in the present,” but, I believe I prefer the blunt honesty of this one from the late President Dwight D. Eisenhower: “Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.”

At Arkansas Farm Bureau, we are definitely not waiting for the future.

We are taking action in the present in order to ensure a better future.

At the most recent meeting of our board of directors, our leaders spent considerable time discussing our ongoing support for and relationship with important youth leadership development programs like 4-H and FFA. In fact, the board approved a commitment of $150,000 to each organization over the next five years to support the development of new facilities and the growth of the programs.

The figurative seeds of agriculture’s future are our youth, and 4-H and FFA provide a critical jumping-off point for young people around our state to launch their educational and professional careers. Countless Arkansas farmers, livestock growers, business owners and political leaders got their start as members of these organizations, as did many Farm Bureau employees and members of our Young Farmers & Ranchers and Women’s Leadership Committees. In fact, I serve on the board of the Arkansas 4-H Foundation and Chuck Tucker, our senior vice president, is on the Arkansas FFA Foundation board.

Speaking of Young Farmers & Ranchers, this group is another part of our commitment to the future of Arkansas

agriculture. Despite the limitations placed on us by the pandemic, we once again acknowledged and honored our outstanding young farmers and ranchers during our virtual Officers & Leaders conference and we will support them as they compete virtually at the national level early next year.

In addition, we continued our effort to build up and prepare young farmers, ranchers and those involved in agriculture for leadership roles in the industry through our President’s Leadership Council, our premier training program. This was the fifth class of the President’s Leadership Council, and 18 participants took part in three Friday-Saturday sessions throughout the year. The class continued in spite of COVID-19, with the final two sessions being held virtually.

We have also maintained our focus on agriculture education and outreach to school-age children through Ag in the Classroom. During the pandemic, we’ve provided materials to teachers throughout Arkansas to use in online teaching and we once again named an Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher. We also invested in more advanced technology for education, unveiling the new Ag Tech Training Lab – a state-of-the-art mobile teaching tool with heavy equipment simulators – to take to schools around the state.

So, while we must continue to do what it takes to get through and even prosper during the challenges of the present, we are preparing for the what comes next. As we all know, there are no guarantees for the future, but what we’re doing now can provide a solid foundation for continued success, as well as a sense of hope that helps us all persevere.

When we recently announced that the Ag Tech Training Lab was ready and available to schools, it was booked for the full year within 10 minutes. This bodes well for the future that I’m talking about. It’s exciting to know there’s still a strong interest in agriculture among Arkansas youth and those who are teaching and leading them. Arkansas Farm Bureau will continue to do all we can to foster and support it for years to come. •

At Arkansas Farm Bureau, we are definitely not waiting for the future. We are taking action in the present in order to ensure a better future.

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

5

Scary Times for

AGRITOURISM Fall favorite attractions face new health guidelines, challenges during a pandemic

The ongoing pandemic has had a major impact across the economy and has disrupted an array of businesses, both big and small. By in large, Arkansas farmers and ranchers have pushed through the challenges, continuing their work to put food on store shelves and dinner tables. But one segment of the industry has faced unique obstacles: agritourism.

There are a number of family farms and operations around the state that focus on hosting visitors and school field trips, showcasing farming and ranching practices and providing both educational and entertainment opportunities. Fall is a particularly important time for many of these small businesses, as they typically offer seasonal options like pumpkin picking and corn mazes.

This year, these popular fall attractions are adjusting to new public health guidelines for visitor safety and have had to scale back on offerings and crowd size. Some have faced additional challenges and have had to cancel fall plans entirely. We visited with an industry leader and two agritourism operators about their experiences during this unusual and trying year.

6

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

Award-Winning Farm Family Takes 2020 Detour Pandemic, road work and weather lead to lost year, new opportunities

by Rob Anderson

T

he pandemic has been a major bump in the road for farmers and agritourism operators around the state, but for 2017 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year winners Luke and Deedee Alston, it’s been a closed road with washed-out bridges and a detour sign.

Nevertheless, when asked about the challenges they’ve faced in 2020, Luke Alston says, “The Lord has blessed us beyond measure.

I treat every day and every opportunity as a gift.”

The Alstons operate Holly Springs Homestead in Mena, where they have angus cattle and eight houses of broiler chickens. They also grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, blackberries, sweet corn, okra, tomatoes, peppers and even flowers, all of which they sell through a store and farm stand. In the fall, they feature a corn maze and pumpkins in a walkable setting made for visitors and school groups.

DeeDee Alston says that 2020 started off normally enough, and the couple were heading into their farm’s berry season “without any hesitation” and getting ready to plant. “Initially,” she says, “we really didn’t understand what the pandemic was going to become, so it was business as usual for us.”

Soon, however, she said they started to realize they would need to make some adjustments, particularly after new public health guidelines came out and the case count began to climb. One of the first steps they took was to launch a new website for placing orders online.

“We quickly realized were going to have to make some modifications, so we converted to an online market and built a website where people could order and do what we called ‘farmside pickup.’ We set up a little tent and people selected a designated pick-up time when they pre-paid online,” she explains.

DeeDee Alston says this new system got them through berry season, but it was a combination of additional factors that really altered the course of their year and, for the moment at least, their careers.

“We had something additional that happened to us that didn’t affect anybody else, because it was unique to where we live. Our county road started to undergo construction and it was closed Monday through Thursday, 8 to 5,” she explains.

Still, the couple found a way to work through this additional challenge, setting most of their order pick-up times after 5 p.m.

Next, however, came the rain.

“At the farm, we had two 8- to 10-inch rains and that halted road construction and actually damaged some of the work that was already done,” she said.

Remnants of tropical storms and other weather fronts caused river flooding in the area and made driving the road to Holly Springs Homestead even more difficult for customers. It also proved to be a major setback to other parts of the farm’s operations.

“We survived berry season by doing the pick-ups after the road continued on page 8>>

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

7

<<continued from page 7

The flooded fields at Holly Springs Homestead (top), and the Alston’s farm stand in better times (bottom).

8

reopened, even though it was very rough, but when the rains came, our tomato crop was damaged,” she said, adding that the high water also washed out some of their walking path bridges and took down many of their directional signs.

“When it was time to plant the corn maze, our field was standing in water and we couldn’t get equipment into it in a timely manner,” she said. “So, that was the reasoning for not opening in the fall. And, with COVID, we were only going to operate at 66% capacity and, in our area, we weren’t sure if schools were going to be in session or permitted to take field trips.”

All in all, though, she and Luke agree that the primary issue was not being able to plant because of the weather. Deedee Alston says she continued to try to come up with ways to work around problems, but one day Luke looked at her and said, “Do you ever think that the Lord is just telling us to take a year off?”

For the Alstons, the final sign was when it became clear that the ongoing road work would not be complete in time for fall. It was then that they shifted to Plan B, and dove into an opportunity that they’d been interested in for some time.

“Our next-door neighbors and life-long friends have the ReMax agency in Mena and they’re also agriculture producers and mentors of ours,” Deedee says. “They had approached us last year about getting our real-estate licenses as something to do on the side. We started pursuing it, but then the pandemic canceled testing for a while. When things started opening back up, though, we were ready.”

Now Luke and Deedee are both working in real estate, while they continue their livestock and poultry operations, splitting time during the day at their farm. They see the real estate work as an extension of their work with the land.

“Other than not having agritourism activity, our farm continues and we tag-team things there. Luke will work on the farm in the morning and come to the office in the afternoon,” says Deedee. “We’re still involved with farmers who are looking for production land. It’s very different, but we love it.”

Luke says he “won’t bellyache” about 2020, because it has presented new opportunities and has brought their family closer together. As for the future, he says, they will make the decision on what to do about their agritourism operation when the time is right.

“You can’t farm and not be an optimist. We’re always optimistic that things will improve,” he says. “We adapt and make the best financial decision for our family. That’s how we choose whether we do something or not.”

Whatever happens, Deedee believes community interest in what they do will remain and, in the meantime, they are doing what they can to support others in the industry.

“People are still calling to see if we’re open. It makes me happy to see that there’s still such strong demand, but it makes me sad that we can’t meet that demand,” she says. “We are referring people to other corn maze operators in the state. We’re friends with the Hicks family of Hicks Family Farm in Lonoke, so we mention them. They’ve gotten their letter of approval and are operating a shorter season.” •

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

Family Farm Adjusts, Continues Fall Tradition

by Ken Moore

A

s the year progresses, efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 continue to impact many public activities, including fall agritourism attractions and festivals.

October is traditionally the month when these events take place on farms across the state. Hicks Family Farms, situated northeast of Little Rock between Lonoke and Cabot, is one such farm, and they’re forging ahead by following the state’s public health guidelines.

An Arkansas Century Farm, it was established in 1913 as a dairy and cotton farm by Kevin Hicks’ great-grandfather, at a time when dairy operations were thriving and cotton was king in Arkansas. But 10 years ago Kevin and his wife Rebekah realized dairy farming had changed and wasn’t profitable anymore. His family had given up cotton farming years earlier. As Kevin Hicks put it, “the day they planted their last acre of cotton was the happiest day of his (dad’s) life.”

Agritourism programs were becoming popular and the Hicks saw an opportunity to make the transition.

“We had a wild idea to invite people out to the farm and have a pumpkin patch and corn maze,” Kevin HIcks said during a recent visit to the farm.

“Back then a lot of farmers weren’t doing that. But we learned that these type of activities were being held on farms and it turned out to be the right thing for us.”

Five generations of the Hicks family have been raised here

with several of them now working together to prepare for and conduct their annual fall outreach.

“We just had our 23rd wedding anniversary and are raising the 5th generation of Hicks kids on the farm, our 16- and 19-year-old sons,” said Rebekah Hicks. “My father was in the Air Force but I married into this farm family and thoroughly enjoy being the farm mom, farm wife and farmer.”

During its first nine years Hicks Family Farms’ Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze was doing well attracting visitors from across central Arkansas. Several thousand would attend on weekends. Then this year the pandemic hit.

“It’s been a learning curve for everybody,” said Kevin Hicks.

“We’ve worked with the health department to figure out the best way to keep everybody safe,” he said. “We will try to control the flow of people around the farm and from congregating in one area. We will reduce the number of people in the maze and on the hay rides at one time. We brought in extra staff for cleaning and sanitizing all the common surfaces, especially in our café.

We will also have signs posted throughout the venue reminding visitors about the mask and distancing requirements.”

Kevin said they’ve made other adjustments in an effort to adhere to the protocols.

“We changed up our entrance and exit. That used to be the same door, but now people will enter in one area and exit in another to eliminate congestion there. We’ve added handwashing continued on page 10>>

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

9

<<continued from page 9

and sanitizing stations. We are going to require people to wear a mask if they can’t be at least six feet apart, especially in the maze. Or on a hay ride and in our building. We know masks are aggravating…but if that’s what it takes to get through the pandemic let’s do it.”

Most notably the pandemic will prevent local schools from bringing large numbers of students to the farm on field trips during the week and as a result the event will only be open on weekends, significantly reducing the overall number of visitors.

And that’s what especially disappointing as Rebekah Hicks said they have started to have a number of repeat visitors that look forward to the event each fall and bring their families back year-after-year.

“We started the pumpkin patch as a way to invite families to the farm so they could get away from the hectic nature of everyday life, enjoy the fresh air and learn about our way of life,” Rebekah Hicks shared.

“It’s neat to see the families come out, parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles from the city with their children trying to explain what’s going on here. The expressions on the children’s faces. We attract a number of families from the air base in Jacksonville and I dedicated our corn maze design in 2015 in recognition of their 60th anniversary. We try to give back every year and make the theme of the maze something that’s important to our community,” she said.

To learn more and to get directions to their farm visit their website www.hicksfamilyfarms.com or their Facebook page. The pumpkin patch and corn maze will be open to families Friday-Sunday throughout October. •

10

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

Q&A with Ruth Pepler, President of the Arkansas Agriculture Tourism Association

R

by Gregg Patterson

uth and Thomas Pepler and their family operate Dogwood Hills Guest Farm near Cozahome, in Searcy County. It’s open to the public, offering a place where families can enjoy a “slice of farm life,” by immersing themselves in the

on-the-farm experience through chores and other activities. Ruth Pepler is president of the Arkansas Agriculture Tourism Association, so she took some time to tell us about the challenges agritourism businesses like hers are dealing with in this year of pandemic.

Q: A:

Q: A:

So tell us about your guest farm. What kind of operation do you run?

Well, we have a homestead farm that we have opened up to visitors. We take one family on the farm at a time, and they are walked through the daily chores.

Milking cows. Collecting eggs. Feeding the animals.

We also have dairy goats. The guests can go and hike in the woods with the dairy goats, so they enjoy doing that. What we do is try and bring in our guests and let them get a hands-on farm experience and leave as an educated consumer.

Dogwood Hills Guest Farm hosts an annual cast iron cooking event.

You’ve obviously had to adjust with the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell us what you’ve done to protect your visitors.

Most activities are outside. Indoors it’s a little tight, so we ask them to wear masks. We all wear masks, and we’ve also set up hand sanitizer stations around the farm. When milking the cows, that’s another close situation. So, of course, we’re asking everybody to wear masks. And then we also have hot running water, sinks and bathrooms right next to our barn. So it’s very easy access, and that was a big plus to have those in place already. It kind of gave us a leg up on being prepared to make those pivots that we had to do.

The other big thing is people like to come upstairs after chores and have breakfast with us. And one of the adjustments we’ve had to make with that is we don’t have people come and sit at our counter in the kitchen anymore where they could watch everything happening. But there is a big opening between where people are eating and where we are doing the cooking, so they can still stand at the doorway, talk and watch but not come into our production kitchen. We all stay

Front Porch

|

masked. We also, typically, would sit and eat breakfast all together as a group. And what we’re now doing is serving our guests first. And then after that, we bring in our staff and serve them, as well.

Q: A:

During this time of COVID, you’ve been the president of the Arkansas Agriculture Tourism Association.

What have you been hearing from your members in regards to dealing with these issues, and what proactive measures has the association taken to help its members during this difficult time?

One of the first concerns was the U-pick (fruit) season.

I was getting calls about “what do we do,” initially from strawberry growers. Most went to picking the berries for people and having customers do a car pick up at set

continued on page 12>> SPRING 2020 ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

11

Gluten free farm to fork pastry times. That limited access, and kept people from congregating.

But I think they did very well with their strawberries this year, which I was glad to see. And that led into blueberry season and people were able to spread out, send families out in groups at a scheduled reservation time to pick. So we tried helping people to just spread them out. Don’t just show up, call and see what the farm’s protocols are. Ask ahead, be prepared. So when the guest got there, they already knew what to expect. I think that made it easier for the operators. Next, I started getting calls about fall activities. What do we do about corn mazes, hayrides and pumpkin patches? Things like that.

Then the association got together with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and the Arkansas Department of Health. We put our heads together and came up with a resource guide. And thanks to a ton of help from the Extension Service, they put together this beautiful, easy-toread guide with recommendations of what and what not to do depending on the kind of ag-tourism operation the farm runs.

It’s really helpful for the operator and for people wanting to visit the operation.

Q: A:

12

You have a popular family operation. Tell us how you’ve adjusted.

All families coming on the farm have a reservation. And we only take one family at a time. We started with a 72-hour block between families that came in, which would give us a day to get everything cleaned and then a day for it to just sit. Now we’re using a UV-C light to sanitize each of the rooms and our bathroom down by the barn. That’s helped us drop it down to a 48-hour block between visits. It makes it very doable.

I feel confident that we’ve done the best we can on cleaning. We’re also able to do that with the bathrooms that we’ve designated for our guests down by the barn. We have it separated. We have a staff bathroom and one designated just for the family staying on the farm. And that’s been a very good thing for families. They feel very good about that.

Ruth and her daughter, Grace, cooking for farm guests.

Q: A:

Q: A:

Q: A:

How’s it going for you? Are people showing up in the way they once did?

Actually, we’ve been a lot busier, and I think it has to do with the fact that we do only take one family on the farm at a time. That’s an exclusive experience. People feel safe to be here. There’s no other people here when they’re here.

It’s just us. And we’re doing all of the social distancing and staying out of crowds and all of these other things ourselves just to maintain a good environment for our guests. It’s been a big transition, but I felt like we were really prepared for it. The way we had everything set up, it was a smooth transition.

You were already working with the health department because of the food service you provide. Do you recommend that all agtourism operations develop a working relationship with the health department?

Absolutely. We started that way right off the bat, and we’ve built very good rapport with our local health department. I’m glad I did. I can call him any time for advice or bounce a questions off him. I’m an ask-permission kind of person. So it’s worked out very well for us.

When COVID first hit, the health department was probably overwhelmed. I think they’ve got a lot of helpful resources now.

And we’re keeping up with C.D.C. recommendations, too.

Is there anything you’d like to add as we roll into the always popular fall agtourism season?

Fall is a perfect time to get outside and enjoy agtourism activities. Get your family out and just get some normal back in your life. That would be a great thing to do. The holidays are coming, and I think the fall ag-tourism season really kicks that off. Do all the safety measures and guidelines to be safe and enjoy the outdoors. •

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

Dogwood Hills Guest Farm Experience Life on the Farm

Fresh Local Produce & Artisan Foods stjosephcenter.org 501.482.1908 6800 Camp Robinson Road North Little Rock

Field-to-Fork Market for Fresh Produce and Farmhouse Meals To Go! www.UrbanaFarmstead.net Chef Margie (501) 366-9817 girasolefarm1@gmail.com

Gluten free pastry • Micro dairy www.thefarmex.com • 870-448-4870

Head for the Country!

Pumpkins, Mums, Corn Maze

www.hicksfamilyfarms.com

501-941.2703 184 Lasiter Road, Lonoke, AR 72086

Here's to our family farmer-members, and all they do to provide quality rice for all.

Thank you for all you do.

Learn more about our family farmers at Riceland.com.

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

13

“Issue 1 is a continuation of a current tax that every Arkansan is already paying today,” says Robert Moery, director of the “Vote for Roads. Vote for Issue 1.” campaign.

14

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

Issue 1 is Critical for Farmers, Rural Communities

by Keith Sutton

W

hether you vote in person on Nov. 3, or mail in an absentee ballot, one of the first things you’ll be asked to consider is, appropriately enough, Issue 1.

Referred to the people by the Arkansas General Assembly, this ballot initiative proposes making permanent a 0.5% state sales tax that currently helps fund Arkansas’ four-lane highway system, county roads and city streets, by amending the Arkansas Constitution to include the tax. The existing 0.5% sales tax, which is used partially to repay highway, road and street bonds, is set to expire in June 2023.

If approved, this constitutional amendment would make permanent the 0.5% state sales tax and use the revenue from this tax for maintaining, repairing and improving highways, roads and streets across the state. The failure of Issue 1 would result in a funding gap that would make it extremely difficult to maintain our highway system. Additionally, counties and cities across the state would lose a substantial portion of their local road and bridge budgets.

Revenue from the tax would be divided between state and local governments according to the Arkansas Highway Revenue Distribution Law, the same law that governs how the existing temporary 0.5% sales tax revenue is allocated.

After the state takes 3% of the revenue for administrative expenses, 70% of the remaining revenue would go to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, 15% to counties and 15% to cities. After deducting the 3% for administrative expenses, the proposed sales tax is expected to generate approximately $293.7 million in annual revenue. Of that, $205.6 million would be allocated to the State Highway and Transportation Fund, $44 million to cities and $44 million to counties, according to an impact statement written by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration about the proposed amendment.

The revenue generated from the proposed tax would be treated as special revenue, meaning that it would be dedicated for a specific purpose. Under this proposal, the revenue must be spent for the maintenance, repair and improvement of Arkansas’ highways, roads and streets. This tax revenue could not be used to pay off bond debt.

Issue 1 is part of a larger plan put forward by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in 2019 to increase funding for highway and road infrastructure by $300 million a year. In addition to this proposed amendment, Hutchinson’s plan included Act 416 of 2019, which increased the state’s motor fuel tax by three cents continued on page 16>>

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

15

<<continued from page 15

“For years, rural Arkansans have sat back and watched as the roads they depend upon to move their farm products to market fall to pieces,” said Lake Village farmer Joe Mencer.

Tommy Young

per gallon on gasoline and six cents per gallon on diesel in October 2019. This new state law also increased registration fees for hybrid and electric vehicles to $100 and $200 respectively. Act 416 also directs any new gaming tax collections that exceed $31.2 million in a year to be used for roads. Year-to-date gaming tax revenue reached $31.2 million in April of 2020, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration’s general revenue report for that month.

Jackson County farmer Tommy Young believes passage of Issue 1 is critical for our state.

“We are grain farmers and utilize these trucks and trailers every day,” Young continues. “We have had our fair share of the turns being too short to allow a truck to maneuver and having trucks turn over on their sides. We have also experienced significant time lost simply because we cannot travel some rural roads due to weight restrictions.

“ 16

As a farmer in rural northeast Arkansas, I have witnessed the transformation of fall harvesting over the past 25 years,” Young says.

“My nephews Blake Young and Jim Young are partners with me in a grain-trailer dealership and have been since the early 1990s. We watched farmers rapidly transition from what were referred to as ‘bob trucks,’ which would have a capacity of around 300-400 bushels, to semi tractortrailer grain hoppers that could haul 1,200-1,400 bushels of grain. Rural improved roads and bridges built after World War II and during the 1950s simply are not to the standard needed to accommodate the larger trucks.

Front Porch

|

”

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

“Time lost in harvesting is big dollars, considering you are waging war against the inclement weather,” he says. “It is imperative that the secondary roads in Arkansas be improved for the financial well-being of the state. Agriculture — poultry, swine, beef, timber, cotton, rice, corn, soybeans and more — comprises the state’s largest industry. And all of these commodities use large trucks to manage their business. Arkansas has not set aside funds to improve these roads in the past. It is in the plan that, if Issue 1 passes, there will be significant sharing of these funds with rural road improvement, and the focus will not just be in the improvement of major highways. As a Jackson County Quorum Court member, I see monthly the need for road turnback funds in our county.

The continuation of the current funding level through the passage of Issue 1 will ensure cities and counties will be able to maintain and improve the infrastructure needed to provide their citizens with good roads and bridges to travel on.

“We cannot afford to let Issue 1 fail,” Young concludes. “It is imperative for the continued prosperity of our state — whether you’re in agriculture or manufacturing or the service industry — to promote voting YES in the upcoming election and make Issue 1 permanent so leaders will know they have a revenue stream to plan on when improving our transportation system.”

Joe Mencer of Lake Village farms cotton, rice and soybeans and serves on the Chicot County Farm Bureau board of directors. Like Young, he strongly supports the passage of Issue 1.

“For years, rural Arkansans have sat back and watched as the roads they depend upon to move their farm products to market fall to pieces,” he says. “Now we have an opportunity to keep the funding in place for maintaining our roads by voting for Issue 1. This is not a tax increase but just a continuation of what we have currently. I support Issue 1 and ask our Farm Bureau members for their support to keep Arkansas moving forward.”

Mencer says he has personally asked members of Highway Commission and State Legislature to look at a five cents per gallon increase in fuel tax anytime fuel is under $2 per gallon to help increase funds for our roads. “This increase would be earmarked for maintenance of current roads and not for new road construction,” he notes.

“Rural Arkansas drivers on average pay twice as much as urban drivers, sometimes more, to travel for everyday goods,” Mencer continues. “We pay more in fuel taxes, and our roads get less attention in repairs and maintenance than urban roads. Much of the fuel that is being used for agriculture and timberlands is not even burned on public roads, yet the tax is still being collected. I don’t have a problem with that, but it is a fact.”

Robert Moery, director for the Vote for Roads. Vote for Issue 1.

Campaign, summarizes very concisely the need for passage of Issue 1.

“Issue 1 is a continuation of a current tax that every Arkansan is already paying today,” he says.” It equates to roughly $100 per year an average Arkansan is currently paying. This revenue source has provided funding for specific regional projects since 2012, but if it is continued, a large portion of the funding going forward will go toward repairing poor condition roads and bridges all over the state in the next 10 years.

Every city and every county in Arkansas is benefiting from this revenue source, which makes up an average of 30% of their road budgets. That local funding goes away if Issue 1 fails. The bottom line is, and farmers and ranchers know this better than anyone, that no community in Arkansas can afford to lose money for roads or keep getting behind on maintaining the roads we have.” •

The failure of Issue 1 would result in a funding gap that would make it extremely difficult to maintain the state’s highway system, and counties and cities across the state would lose a substantial portion of their local road and bridge budgets.

continued on page 18>>

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

17

<<continued from page 17

The 2020 Ballot Issues: Be Informed

by Jessica Burkham, Arkansas Farm Bureau Director of Policy Development and Legislative Research

Nothing is more important than our civic duty, and our right, to cast our vote. While everyone is aware 2020 is a presidential election year, Arkansans will also be voting on three constitutional amendments on the November 3rd General Election ballot: • • •

Issue 1: Continuing Sales Tax for Surface Transportation Projects Issue 2: The Arkansas Term Limits Amendment Issue 3: Changing the Citizen-Initiated Ballot Issue Process

You’ve just read about Issue 1, so let’s take a short look at the others:

Issue 2

The Arkansas Term Limits Amendment would amend the term limits of Members of the General Assembly. Under current law, state legislators cannot serve more than 16 years total in the legislature. Issue 2 amends the Arkansas Constitution to allow state legislators, both in the House and Senate, to serve 12 consecutive years and allow the legislator to stand for reelection after a fouryear absence.

Under a 12-year term limit and a four-year post-term break, new ideas and leadership can be cycled into the General Assembly providing communities and citizens to re-elect legislators that can continue to make positive changes for Arkansas.

Issue 3

The third legislatively-referred constitutional amendment, Issue 3, amends the process for the submission, challenge and approval of proposed initiated acts, constitutional amendments, and referenda.

This includes both citizen initiatives and legislative referrals.

Outside interest groups flock to Arkansas, focusing their attention to collect signatures from the most populous counties and cities, leaving rural Arkansans out and ignored.

Jackson County farmer Tommy Young led a successful effort to change Arkansas Highway 37 from a “low-weight” road designation to a “regular weight” designation, allowing those with tractortrailers and agriculture equipment to travel from Tuckerman to Grubbs, nearby grain elevators and U.S. Highway 67.

This one example of the issues rural and farming communities face with roads in Arkansas and highlights the need for continued funding to help maintain and improve these critical local routes.

18

In the 2018 election, out-of-state interest groups spent nearly $8 million to ensure their measures were on the ballot and passed. Issue 3 prevents outside groups from taking advantage of Arkansans while also protecting the integrity of the Arkansas Constitution. Issue 3 strengthens the criteria for initiatives to be on the General Election ballot by mandating additional counties to be included in the collection process of signatures, streamlining cutoff dates, and increasing the number of votes needed by the General Assembly to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

For additional resources and information on the upcoming election, please visit, arkelect.com.

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

Glenn Williams Front Porch Ad 2020.pdf

1

9/22/20

2:49 PM

Community leaders like Glenn Williams of Carroll County realize the importance of local relationships and connecting resources. To ensure their mission would continue forever, Glenn helped a local nonprofit create an endowment with Arkansas Community Foundation.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

You have a strong connection to your community. The Community Foundation can help you create an endowment that impacts your community forever or fund that meets immediate needs using a simple, flexible and efficient process. To learn more, contact Foundation staff today.

CY

CMY

K

Connections for Contact our staff at

501-372-1116

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU â&#x20AC;˘ FALL 2020

arcf.org/givesmart 19

500

Farm Bureau members receive

$

BONUS CASH *

Our valued benefit program highlights the great movement that we have together, and how farming and trucks have gone together for over 100 years.

2020 FORD SUPER DUTY ®

Don’t miss out on this offer.

Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com today! *Farm Bureau Bonus Cash is exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. This incentive is not available on Mustang Shelby® GT350®/GT350R/GT500®, Mustang BULLITT, Ford GT and F-150 Raptor. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase and take new retail delivery from dealer by 1/4/21. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or see your authorized Ford Dealer for qualifications and complete details. Note to dealer: Claim in VINCENT using #37408.

20 24446_FD_LN_8.5x11_ad_Gen_2020_r3.indd 1

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020 11/27/19 9:31 AM

Arkansas Farm Bureau Members

$500 UP TO

Cogswell Ford 1900 East Main Russellville, AR 72801 479-968-2665 www.cogswellford.com

Cavenaugh Ford 2000 E. Highland Drive Jonesboro, AR 72401 870-972-8000

Ford of West Memphis 2400 North Service Rd. West Memphis, AR 72301 870-735-9800 www.fordofwestmemphis.com

Everett Ford 19723 Interstate 30 Benton, AR 72015 501-315-4700 www.everettford.com

BONUS CASH

Glen Sain Ford, Inc. Danny Ford, owner 1301 Hwy 49 North Paragould, AR 72450 870-236-8546 www.glensainford.net

Porch Front

Red Taylor Ford, Inc. 401 W. Second St. Corning, AR 72422 870-857-3516 www.redtaylorford.com FALL

Ryburn Motor Company, Inc. 156 Highway 425 South Monticello, AR 71655 870-367-5353 www.ryburnautomotive.com

Riser Harness 2000 E. Race Ave. Searcy, AR 72143 501-268-2486 www.riserharnessford.com

Smith Ford, Inc. 908 E. Oak St. Conway, AR 72032 501-329-9881 www.smith-ford.net

2019

2020

t ng i Doir Way e H WINTER

: Alsoat Whsas an Ark Grows SUMMER 2020

g Trainin ture the Fuforce Work

Vaughn Ford Sales, Inc. 106 Hwy 63 West Marked Tree, AR 72365 870-358-2822 www.vaughnford.com

SPRING 2020

trip to Plus, a Cash’s Johnny d Boyhoo Home p. 18

What’s the Diagnosis for

Rural Health Care in Arkansas?

A Winning

Plus, Veterans in Agriculture

•

• • •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Everett Ford Bentonville

H • Cogswell Ford Russellville

H

• •

Riser Harness Searcy

H

H •

•

•

Cavenaugh Ford Jonesboro

•

Smith Ford Conway

•

•

H

• •

•

H

Red Taylor Ford Corning

•

•

Glen Sain Ford Paragould

H

•

• •

•

H

•

Vaughn Ford Marked Tree Ford of West Memphis West Memphis

H

•

Dairy Dish

Front Porch magazine has a quarterly readership of over 600,000 Arkansans and is addressed & mailed directly to more than 188,000 households throughout all 75 counties in the state. Each issue is also available on the Arkansas Farm Bureau website for expanded readership opportunities.

• •

•

•

Ryburn Motor Co. Monticello

H

Front Porch

|

Paula Caruthers

501.725.3553

• •

H Featured Dealership Locations

For Advertising Rates contact

•

Dealership Locations

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

or email pcaruthers@pcipublishing.com

21

M E M B E R S E R V I C E S U P D AT E

Let Your Membership Help You Finish Your College Degree

I

f you could earn more than $1 million in additional salary throughout your lifetime by simply finishing something you once started, what would be holding you back?

Statistics show those who earned a college degree not only have a higher earning potential, but also live healthier lives, are more involved in their communities and are generally happier citizens. Perhaps you once believed in the transformative power of a college degree and even earned some college credits. But, like more than 350,000 other Arkansans, life got in the way and you didn’t finish.

The University of Arkansas System eVersity is the state’s only 100 percent-online university and was built to provide a clear path for busy, working adults to transfer their previously earned credits (no matter how long ago) and finish a high-quality associate and bachelor’s degree without ever having to visit a campus.

Providing products and services which improve the quality of life for our members is part of the mission of Arkansas Farm Bureau, and we want to make sure you to take advantage of our educational alliance with the University of Arkansas System eVersity. Your membership gives you and your family members a tuition discount on each national award-winning class eVersity offers. “eVersity’s core values are to provide high-quality, affordable and relevant online degree programs to Arkansans in order for them to obtain the necessary tools to take their career and earnings to the next level,” said Michael Moore, Ph.D., chief academic/operating officer at eVersity. “When we built eVersity, we wanted to take all of the unnecessary hassle out of the administrative process of going to college, and make it easy and free for people to apply and get enrolled so they can fulfill their dream of earning a college degree.”

It’s the friendly, personalized approach at eVersity that is designed to help students achieve success.

Students take just one six-week class at a time before earning a week off and then starting the next one — seven times a year. A college education makes a powerful difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities, and eVersity allows the opportunity for Arkansans to obtain a college degree that is accessible, affordable and, most importantly, attainable. Hard-working adults like you are graduating at

by Autumn Wood

eVersity every seven weeks, and 97 percent of eVersity students say they are satisfied with their experience and would recommend it to a friend or family member.

Arkansas Farm Bureau members and their families can attend the UA System eVersity at a discounted rate by simply entering our five-digit alliance code when they apply for free at eversity.edu. To get your special five-digit alliance code, visit arfb.com under our Member Exclusive Savings section and login with your Member ID number. •

Grow your green.

We go the extra mile.

Large Enough to Serve...

Small Enough to Care

Get cash incentives when you install energy-efficient equipment on your farm — and reap the benefits. LED lighting and irrigation equipment can lower your electricity costs while improving comfort and productivity.

• Red Iron Buildings • All Steel Structures • All Bolt-Up Structures • Engineered Buildings

Visit entergyarkansas.com/agriculture to learn more.

866-479-7870

Over 30 years of service Gravette, AR www.MARATHONMETAL.COM

A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2020 Entergy Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Entergy Solutions program is an energy efficiency program and not affiliated with Entergy Solutions, LLC.

sales@Marathonmetal.com

U. S. Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (Required by 39 U.S.C.3685). 1. Publication title: Front Porch. 2.

Publication number:01-9879. 3. Filing date: 10-9-19.4.

Issue frequency: Quarterly. 5. No. of issues published annually: Four. 6. Annual Subscription Price: 7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, 10720 Kanis Road, Little Rock, AR 72211. 8. Complete mailing address of headquarters of General Business office of Publisher: Same as #7. 9.

Full names and complete mailing address of Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor: Publisher, Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation; Executive Editor, Steve Eddington; Editor, Rob Anderson. All addresses same as #7. 10. Owner: Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, 1l. Bondholders, Mortgages and other Security Holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: None. 12. Tax Status: unchanged. 13. Publication title: Front Porch.

14. Issue date for Circulation date: Summer 2020. 15.

Extent and nature of circulation: Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date. 15a. Total no. of copies net press run average each issue 189,490 (issued published nearest to filing date 183,613). 15b.

Paid/Requested outside-county mail subscription: 2,689 (most recent 3,428). 15c. Total paid and/or requested circulation: 188,992 (most recent 188,461). 15d. e. Not Applicable. 15f. Total Distribution: 186,801 (most recent 180,185).15g. Copies not distributed 27 (most recent 35).

15h. Total: 189,463 (most recent 18,578). 15i. Percent paid: 100%. 16. Statement of ownership will be printed in the Fall 2020 issue of the publication. 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager or Owner: Rob Anderson, Editor

Front Porch

|

Notice of Annual Meeting of the members of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

N

otice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the members of the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation will be at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Halls A-C in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The purpose of this meeting is to elect a Board of Directors for the ensuing year and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Warren Carter Executive Vice President

of the members of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc.

N

otice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the members of the Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc. will be at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Horner Hall in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The purpose of this meeting is to elect a Board of Directors for the ensuing year and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

David L. Moore EVP-General Manager

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

23

WINONA SCENIC DRIVE

by Keith Sutton

One of the highlights of the Winona Scenic Drive is this view of Forked Mountain, which rises to an elevation of 1,350 feet, almost 1,000 feet above the surrounding forest.

A

rkansans love autumn, a cool, colorful season tailor-made for days spent outdoors. As summer wanes and fall paints fiery hues upon the landscape, many start feeling an urge to leave the house and get outside.

Some go hunting. Some fish. Some float a river or hike a trail or travel to places where there’s wildlife to be seen. It is during this season, the season William Cullen Bryant called “the year’s last, loveliest smile,” when we fully realize the significance of the name we’ve given our home – “The Natural State.”

24

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

“What shall we do today?” you may ask. “Where can we visit?

What memories will we make?” There is so much to choose from, but a great place to start is Winona Scenic Drive, a picturesque auto tour that stretches 27 miles through the Ouachita National Forest (NF). The route travels along Forest Road (FR) 132 between Arkansas Highway 7 north of Jessieville (Garland County) and Arkansas Highway 9 south of Perryville (Perry County). Along the way, it offers views of some of the most gorgeous landscapes within our borders.

If you’re taking this tour for the first time, it’s best to download the U.S. Forest Service booklet available on the Forest Service website at http://bit.ly/WinonaMap. This “Winona Auto Tour” publication provides a mileage guide to scenic points all along the route, starting at the Highway 7 end.

The tour road is unpaved and rough in many spots. A truck or SUV is ideal for traveling along it, but you can do just fine in your car if you take your time. Allow half a day for a leisurely drive that will allow you to see all the sights, and perhaps a full day if you want to hike to the top of nearby Flatside Pinnacle, one of the best spots for spectacular views (see sidebar).

Follow the small “Auto Tour” signs and arrows placed at each crossroads.

Getting Started A good place to start your visit is the U.S. Forest Service’s Jessieville Visitor Information Center and Ranger Station about 20 miles north of Hot Springs at 8607 Highway 7 North. At this location, you can browse interpretive displays and gather information about the surrounding area.

When you leave the station, head north on Highway 7 for 6.1 miles to Forest Road 132 on your right. You are now at the west end of Winona Scenic Drive. Reset your odometer or trip meter, and begin here, heading east on FR 132.

At the 6.8-mile mark, you’ll arrive at the Oak Mountain Vista. The view here isn’t as good as you’ll see at other stops farther down the road, but if you look to the left, you can see a heavily forested oak-covered mountain and, to your right, there is a beautiful view of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains.

Travel 1.7 miles farther along the tour route (to 8.5 on your odometer) and you’ll see a short side road on the left. From that road, you’ll have a spectacular view of the 1,350-foot-tall rock outcropping called Forked Mountain. Locals say its twin peaks represent the spirits of an Indian maiden and her lover turned to stone by the Great Spirit. The girl’s father, angered because his daughter wanted to spend her life with the young man from another tribe, implored the deity to help him when he found the couple sleeping. The maiden and brave disappeared as a lightning bolt split the mountain, but the Spirit took pity on their love.

The girl’s spirit remained in one peak and the brave’s spirit in the other, forever joined at the base.

Winona Scenic Drive is accessible from Arkansas Highway 7 north of Jessieville in Garland County or Arkansas Highway 9 south of Perryville in Perry County.

A walk to the vista atop Crystal Mountain often produces a dozen or more clear quartz crystals for those with keen eyesight.

Crystal Mountain & Lake Winona You should come to an intersection when you arrive at the 13.3-mile point. Continue straight, and half a mile farther down the road, you’ll see a parking spot on the right where a small rutted road leads to the top of aptly named Crystal Mountain where there is a gorgeous overlook. Don’t try to drive up as this road can get pretty rough. Instead, walk the two-tenths of a mile to the vista, and look for small, clear, sharp-pointed quartz crystals amidst the rocks in the road. “Arkansas diamonds” are the name often given these beautiful minerals, and if you have good eyesight, you might find a dozen or more on the stroll to the hilltop. Digging requires a permit, but any crystals you find on the surface are yours to keep.

After visiting Crystal Mountain, continue east on FR 132 for another half mile, and look for a small turn-out on your right. The path here leads to the Lake Winona Vista. On clear days, you’ll enjoy grand views of the continued on page 26>>

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

25

<<continued from page 25

1,240-acre lake, which supplies much of the water supply for Little Rock, 35 miles east, and you can photograph the breathtaking scenery lying within the lake’s 43-squaremile watershed.

Final Stops Your odometer/trip meter should now read 14.3.

Continue along FR 132 until it says 19.9 (be sure to follow the auto tour directional signs at intersections) and you’ll find yourself at North Fork Pinnacle, one of the area’s highest points. The site featured a Civilian Conservation Corps fire lookout tower built in the 1930s where rangers watched for smoke and wildfires. That’s gone now, but if you park at the trail sign, you can take a half mile hike to the top of the pinnacle that leads to the tower’s old foundation and a spectacular view of the Ouachitas.

Back down at the bottom, continue heading east on the tour route for 4.1 miles and you should find yourself at the Nancy Mountain Vista. The territory below is traversed by the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, which covers 223 miles from Pinnacle Mountain State Park near Little Rock to Talimena State Park in LeFlore County, Okla.

From here, it is a little over three miles to the end of the tour at Highway 9. There are a couple more vistas along this last stretch that offer views down onto Lake Sylvia, a popular camping, swimming and picnicking spot, and all the way out to 8,900-acre Lake Maumelle, a water supply and fishing lake, to the east.

For additional information on Winona Scenic Drive and the Ouachita NF, phone the Jessieville Ranger Station at 501-984-5313. •

Side Trip: Flatside Pinnacle Should you travel Winona Scenic Drive, you should definitely consider hiking the trail from FR Road 94 to the top of 1,550-foot-tall Flatside Pinnacle. If you’re traveling east from the Crystal Mountain tour stop, it’s three miles to the 94/132 intersection. Turn left onto 94 and it’s 2.9 miles to the wide parking spot at the trailhead. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail goes off to the left and the Flatside Pinnacle trail to the right.

The path up is easy to follow and not too rough on your calves as it switchbacks up the slope about a half mile to the top edge of the mountain. What you see from the precipice will take your breath away—a seemingly never-ending view of 10,181-acre Flatside Wilderness Area and miles of forested ridge tops colored crimson, gold and green in autumn. World-renowned photographer Tim Ernst says, “I believe this to be the finest view in all of the Ouachitas, and one of the very best in this part of the country.”

26

The Lake Winona Vista offers an incredible view of its namesake lake and the surrounding watershed.

The view of Flatside Wilderness from Flatside Pinnacle is one of the most spectacular in all the South.

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

afbic.com

All drivers included.

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU â&#x20AC;¢ FALL 2020

ARAUPR44869

Any

Generation

27

UNVEILING A FAMILY’S SECRET RECIPE:

Earl’s Pecan Pie

by Ashley Wallace

28

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

H

ave you ever searched the internet for the perfect recipe, only to find something with a long explanation

of the recipe’s history standing between you and what you’re really there for?

If you have, then you know what’s coming, and I apologize.

But this isn’t just any recipe. I’ll skip the nuts and bolts of how I heard about Kerry Stiles of Marianna and her famous pecan pie. However, when asked if I could share the recipe, she said she had to get permission. The reason, she said, was that it wasn’t her famous recipe to share, but her late father-inlaw, Earl Stiles Sr., and it was a “family secret.” She explained that it was derived from his wife Claudine’s recipe, and many of those in Marianna knew and loved it.

Although the pie has been served at many town gatherings and functions, no one outside the family has known how to make it … until now.

If I’m being honest, though, I feel bad for “spilling the pecans,” if you will. Family traditions and recipes are truly something special in the South. After spending an afternoon baking with Kerry, her telling me about all the fine-tuning Mr. Earl did to the recipe, where she kept the handwritten piece of paper, and even where Mr. Earl’s spot at the table was, I feel a little like a traitor for sharing. continued on page 30>>

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

29

<< continued from page 29

But, the magic of secret family recipes is the tradition continues on every time someone makes them, and now you can help carry on the Stiles family’s delicious tradition!

Ingredients • 1 ½ Cups Sugar • 1 ½ Cups White Karo Syrup • 4 Eggs • ½ Teaspoon Salt • 2 Teaspoons Vanilla • 4 Tablespoons Oleo, Melted • 2 Cups Pecans, Chopped • 2 9” Pie Crust Directions Mix first 6 ingredients. Pour ½ mixture in another bowl. Add 1 cup chopped pecans to each bowl. Stir and pour into a regular 9” pie crust.

Bake at 325 for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Cool before serving. •

30

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

D E LTA C H I L D In Delta Child, author Talya Tate Boerner draws on her Mississippi County childhood to deliver readers back to a simpler time when screen doors slammed, kids tromped cotton, and Momma baked cornbread for supper every night. Boerner, a fourth-generation Arkansas farm girl, has been published in Arkansas Review, Ponder Review, and Writer’s Digest and blogs at Grace Grits and Gardening. She is the author of two books — The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee and Gene, Everywhere — available wherever books are sold.

by Talya Tate Boerner

A Pet’s Life E

ven in the most divisive times, there is one thing we humans can agree on — the loss of a pet brings great grief. We lost Lucy on Father’s Day. She was our feisty, smart-as-a-whip, always in-charge, miniature schnauzer. At birth, she was the runt of the litter, her small stature wellbalanced by her larger-than-life personality. In death, she still seemed puppy-like, her silver coat soft as velvet, her long black eyelashes enviable.

A heart problem. That’s what took Lucy from us. Now, without her, we have a heart problem. The death of one small dog can certainly leave an enormous hole in the world.

On a hot, steamy day, my husband dug Lucy’s grave in the back garden where the red bee balm flourishes. As he removed soil by the shovelfuls, I thought of the graves Momma dug at the farm through the years. The land behind the pump house once bore the scars of our pets’ graves. Over time, each mound of earth settled into the delta landscape.

Now, the casual observer would never know pieces of our hearts are buried there too.

My very first pet was an Eskimo Spitz named Honey Bee. When we moved from Wilson to the farm, Honey Bee refused to go. Momma said she had a fear of the car, but how could a mere human ever really know what’s going on inside the mind of a dog? As the story goes, (I was twoyears-old and can only share what I’ve been told), Honey Bee followed our car four miles to the grocery store in Marie. Momma purchased a steak bone and used it to lure Honey Bee into the back seat with me, and hence, home to the farm where she lived out her life, and I lived out my teen years.

A variety of dogs nuzzled their way into our family through the years, from mutts abandoned on the roadside to pure breeds with pedigrees more impressive than our

32

Mississippi County birth certificates. And there were many, many litters of cats too, real mousers who had their work cut out for them. One of the things about living in the country, animals often showed up at the kitchen door needing food and a warm place to call home. Each arrived with different personality traits; each offered valuable life lessons to the girls who lived there.

The last dog to live at the farm was Butkus, a sweet and goofy German Shepherd mix with mad Houdini talent.

He was a native Texan who moved to Arkansas after being ill-suited for a Dallas apartment. Even with more room to roam, he escaped every conceivable fence design, including electric and looped barbed wire. Momma took many a drive down to the interstate where Butkus could always be found swimming in the Cotton Inn pool and terrifying the cleaning ladies without meaning to. Momma also spent many a stormy night trying to soothe his wild fear of thunder.

We live in a time when people are quick to judge and argue; friendships end based on the colors red or blue. I hold extra tight to the lessons of my furry friends — lessons on faithfulness and optimism, on enthusiastically living out each day, on unconditional love. And, no matter what the future holds, I believe there’s one thing we will always agree on — a pet’s life is never long enough.

Autumn is here. I welcome the chilly mornings and admire the brilliant fall color in the neighborhood where I live. As I plant happy-faced pansies, Lucy’s presence is all around. I see her chasing squirrels and napping in her favorite clover patch, the late afternoon sun warming her small body. I feel her spirit in the early autumn breeze, flitting with the monarchs soon to migrate south for winter.

RIP Lucy girl. Rest with all the pets who came before you.•

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

KNEE PAIN? Knee Pain Relief

WITHOUT Drugs, Shots, Or Surgery...

Finally...A Nonsurgical, Drugless Knee Pain Treatment System is available in Arkansas that targets the root cause of knee pain. This breakthrough treatment approach u�lizes a combina�on of nonsurgical laser and a proprietary treatment called SynDAS, which stands for Synovial Dynamic Axial S�mula�on. The deep penetra�ng laser provides a strong cellular an�-inflammatory ac�on while simultaneously s�mula�ng the healing of damaged �ssue. Normal knee joints contain synovial fluid which serves as a shock absorber and a lubricant.

SynDAS helps improve knee joint func�on by s�mula�ng synovial fluid movement in the knee. This nonsurgical treatment has helped thousands of knee pain sufferers get out of pain. A FREE Informa�on Packet is available that reveals how knee pain sufferers can eliminate or greatly reduce knee pain. To receive

your FREE Informa�on Packet Call Toll Free (888) 233-3893.

Hurry, supplies are limited.

(24 hour recorded message) © RMG

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • FALL 2020

33

LCLU010920

www.sfbli.com

36

Front Porch

|

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU â&#x20AC;¢ SPRING 2020

Low rates and fast approvals.

New or Used Vehicle Loans

Hit the road with a Vehicle Loan from Farm Bureau Bank® With competitive rates, flexible terms, and protection plans, let us help you get in the driver’s seat.

Contact your local agent and apply today! farmbureau.bank 800.492.3276

Rates and financing are limited to new or used vehicle models 2010 and newer. For our current rates and conditions, visit farmbureau.bank.

All loans are subject to credit approval, verification and collateral evaluation. Farm Bureau Bank does not finance totaled reconditioned, refurbished, or salvaged vehicles. Non-member rates may be higher than posted rates and additional fees may apply. This offer may not be available in all states and rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Banking services provided by Farm Bureau Bank, FSB. Farm Bureau, FB, and the FB National Logo are registered service marks owned by, and used by Farm Bureau Bank FSB under license from, the American Farm Bureau Federation. 10.20