Front Porch - Summer 2016 by Arkansas Farm Bureau

Porch

sUMMER 2016

Front

Diamonds! Finders keepers

Big Trees

Airship Coffee

Winning Dairy Recipes A

C e l e b r a t i o n

o f

A r k a n s a s .

U n i q u e

P l ac e s

a n d

P e o p l e .

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau â&#x20AC;˘ summer 2016

The

best Selection of

styles, colors & Sizes

in Town!

BOOTS • WESTERN WEAR • HATS • ACCESSORIES Front Porch

★ Family Owned & Operated for Over 50 Years ★

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

FORT SMITH • LITTLE ROCK • ROGERS • TEXARKANA 1

In This Issue

Farm Bureau Matters

Randy Veach | Page 3

Helping Farmers, Helping You Warren Carter | Page 5

Grandeur, History and Beauty Keith Sutton | Page 8

A Rural Diamond in the Rough Ken Moore | Page 16

Taste Arkansas Flying High with Airship Coffee Kimberly Mitchell | Page 22

Land & People Professor Bob Stark

Gregg Patterson | Page 26

In the Kitchen Dairy Contest Winners Shine Page 28

Health & Safety

Rice Bran Shown to Fight Cancer Dave Edmark | Page 30

Building Wealth

Five Bad Money Habits Lisa Lakey | Page 32

Delta Child

Talya Tate Boerner | Page 34

On the Cover

This composite image is made up of a photo of the uncut 8.52-carat “Esperanza” diamond found in June 2015 superimposed on a side of the iconic mine-shaft building at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Photo of the Esperanza diamond courtesy of Arkansas State Parks. Photo of the mine-shaft building by Keith Sutton.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

C e l e b r a t i o n

o f

A r k a n s a s .

U n i q u e

P l ac e s

a n d

P e o p l e .

Farm Bureau Matters

by Randy Veach | President, Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

Something Fishy Going on Here

U.S. public deserves food safety peace of mind

n the name of food safety, we’ve asked Congress to stick to its guns over the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection of imported “catfish,” which isn’t really catfish at all but is sold in U.S. retail outlets as such. Arkansas catfish farmers have been pummeled during the past 15 years by catfish-like competition, mostly from Asian countries, where growing conditions and food safety can be questionable. In many ways, because of our limited inspection procedures for imported fish, the U.S. has become the dumping ground for subpar seafood. As someone who loves a good fish fry, this bothered me, and it should bother you too. The U.S. Senate recently passed (despite opposition from Arkansas’ Senator John Boozman and Senator Tom Cotton) a Congressional Review Act resolution overturning the USDA’s catfish inspection rule that was mandated by Congress in the 2008 and 2014 farm bills. The catfish inspection program has been debated at length, and Congress twice determined that the transfer of inspection authority from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service was the appropriate course of action. The transfer of inspection authority to USDA was only recently enacted after a lengthy rulemaking process. It was finally accomplished, though, to ensure imported catfish and catfish-like species were subjected to the same inspection process as U.S farm-raised catfish. A recent article on this topic in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that under FDA authority, only about one-fifth of 1 percent of fish were inspected

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

in a laboratory, with FDA using visual inspections for most imports. By contrast, the USDA inspection process is more rigorous. It reviews facilities, tests in the lab and involves much tighter testing protocols. Early evidence supports our position, as USDA has already identified and rejected shipments of imported catfish and catfish-like products containing known carcinogens and antibiotics banned in the U.S. Also, in early June, a Chinese ship bound for a California port turned around rather than face USDA inspection. With 94 percent of all U.S. farm-raised catfish grown in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, this decision has an impact in our state and across the Midsouth. Our state’s catfish growers have always asked for rigorous inspections of both imported and domestically grown fish to ensure they both meet the same standards of health and food safety. USDA is charged with inspecting farm-raised products, both domestically grown and imported, and catfish and catfish-like species meet that definition. The change in inspection authority means catfish falls in line with USDA’s other long-standing inspection programs for imported beef, lamb, pork and poultry. There is no amount of money that can replace food safety and peace of mind for the U.S. consumer. It’s in the public’s best interest to inspect imported products with the same rigor as domestic products. Why would we want to make it easier for imported fish to get into the U.S. food chain than domestically raised catfish? The consuming public deserves better. God bless you and your families. God bless the farmers and ranchers. And God bless Arkansas Farm Bureau.

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

The DR® TRIMMER MOWER gives you 5X the power and NONE of the backstrain of handheld trimmers!

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

TRIMS & MOWS thick grass and weeds without bogging down—the only trimmer guaranteed not to wrap! ROLLS LIGHT AS A FEATHER on big, easyrolling wheels! THICKEST, LONGEST-LASTING cutting cord (up to 225 mil) takes seconds to change.

Included in membership dues

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Arkansas Farm Bureau Officers:

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

The only trimmer GUARANTEED not to wrap!

FREE SHIPPING 1 YEAR TRIAL

NEW TOW-BEHIND MODELS FOR TRACTORS, ATVS & RIDING MOWERS!

Call for FREE DVD and Catalog! TOLL FREE

SOME LIMITATIONS APPLY Call or go online for details.

888-212-8577 DRtrimmers.com

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, Toad Suck Dan Wright, Waldron Ex Officio

Donna Bemis, Little Rock Trent Dabbs, Stuttgart Chase Groves, Garland Peggy Miller, Lake Village Executive Editors • Steve Eddington, Rob Anderson Editor • Gregg Patterson Contributing Writers • Mollie Dykes, Ken Moore, Keith Sutton ADVERTISING

Contact David Brown at Publishing Concepts for advertising rates dbrown@pcipublishing.com (501) 221-9986 Fax (501) 225-3735

EMERGENCY service, at the highest level.

Front Porch (USPS 019-879) is published quarterly by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation 10720 Kanis Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211

Air Evac Lifeteam has been serving rural America for over 30 years. An Air Evac Lifeteam membership provides prepaid protection against any out-ofpocket flight cost for our services during an emergency.

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

Farm Bureau Members receive the Air Evac discount on membership. JOIN BY PHONE 800-793-0010

JOIN ONLINE joinairmedcarenetwork.com

Issue #100

AFFINITYMEMBERSHIP FEES

Learn more at www.lifeteam.net or call 800.793.0010.

1 Year Membership

$55

3 Year Membership*

$165

5 Year Membership*

$275

10 Year Membership*

$550

Platinum 25 Year Membership*

$1125

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.

*Multi-year memberships are not available in Indiana

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

C e l e b r a t i o n

o f

A r k a n s a s .

U n i q u e

P l ac e s

a n d

P e o p l e .

Helping Farmers, Helping You

by Warren Carter | Executive Vice President, Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

Grassroots Defined Local input is critical

ou’ve heard before that Arkansas Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization. What does that mean? What sets us apart from most other membership-based organizations, and how does that help you? Grassroots means we get our direction from our farmer and rancher members from across the state. We are active throughout the year in every county in the state. Each county has a board of directors made up of local people who work on issues that benefit agriculture and their communities. Probably more than any other organization, Farm Bureau devotes time and resources to make sure we have that necessary input at the local, grassroots level. This ensures the work we do represents the interest of our members, and benefits the state’s largest business sector which is agriculture. That’s worth $21 billion annually to the state. An example of our grassroots level work begins July 7. It happens annually and emphasizes our grassroots structure. It’s when our statewide policy development activities kickoff. Farm Bureau members in every county, predominantly from the agricultural community, will gather at 14 sites conveniently located around the state to talk about issues and challenges they face. From these meetings and discussions, the county Farm Bureaus will meet again and draft resolutions addressing those issues. These resolutions then go through a vetting process that culminates at our state convention and ultimately become the policy Arkansas Farm Bureau lives by throughout the coming year. Those policies, developed at the local level, become the issues we work on at the local, state and national level throughout the year. Yes, most of the issues farmers and ranchers focus on are ones that directly impact their day-to-day business. However, many of

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

the things farmers and ranchers need and work to improve through the policy development process are the same things the non-farm-and-ranch population also needs. These include but are not limited to the following: • Good roads and highways. • Improving access to good health care and emergency services in rural areas. • Improving internet connectivity and bandwidth in rural areas. • Using sound science to protect the environment while maintaining farm profitability and sustainability. • Supporting job creation efforts. • Support of law enforcement efforts. • Supporting schools and universities and improving our education system. • Maintaining a safe, healthy and affordable food supply. Those are just a few areas where the grassroots policy interests of farmers and ranchers are similar to those of the general public. That shouldn’t be surprising, though. Farmers and ranchers are often part of your volunteer fire department, on the school board or PTA, serve at your place of worship, coach a youth sports team, serve on the town council or show up to help when disaster strikes. It’s all a part of the tried and true grassroots approach that’s been the backbone of success for little towns, communities and cities throughout Arkansas. Our organization believes in this approach. Local farmers and ranchers identifying and discussing problems, and coming up with solutions that work for them, for you and for Arkansas. That is Arkansas Farm Bureau. That is grassroots defined.

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.

Gerren Motor Company Chevrolet Buick GMC 2190 US Hwy 165 W, England 501-842-2527

- GM Dealership locations - Select dealer

Glen Sain Everett

Wood

Glen Sain Ben Eddings Central

Everett Chevy of Fayetteville

George Kell Bull

Gwatney Buick/GMC Bale

Gwatney Chevy Russell

Everett

Allen Tillery

Holly

Gerren

Smart

$500

Lucky’s

Holt

PRIVATE OFFER

200 HWY 412/65 Bypass, Harrison

877-899-3918 www.beneddings.com

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

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

Chevy, Buick, GMC 6345 Hwy 49 South, Paragould 870 565-4353 www.glensain.com George Kell Motors 501 Hwy 367 North Newport 870-523-2792 www.georgekellmotors.com MOTORS INC

NEWPORT, ARKANSAS

1310 W Showroom Dr, Fayetteville

479-695-7500

3 Smart Drive White Hall 71602

www.smartdrive.com Russell Chevrolet 6100 Landers Road, Sherwood 800-511-5823 www.russellchevrolet.com

905 Unity Rd., Crossett 870-364-4424 905 Unity Rd., Crossett 870-364-4424 www.holtautogroup.net

Central ChevroletCadillac 3207 Stadium Blvd, Jonesboro 870-935-5575

Everett Buick-GMC I-30 Alcoa Exit, Bryant 501-315-7100 EverettBGMC.com Everett Chevrolet I-49 at Elm Springs Road, Springdale 888-536-0352 EverettChevroletNWA.com

Chevrolet Buick GMC 2190 US Hwy 165 W, England 501-842-2527

Lucky’s of Monticello 1215 Hway 425 North, Monticello 870-367-6000 www.autobylucky.com 6

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.

Gregory Street Exit • Jacksonville 800-697-9586 • www.GoGwatney.com

Everett Buick-GMC Moberly Lane, Bentonville 866-812-3307 EverettNWA.com

CHEVROLET

Holly Chevrolet 4573 Central Ave. • Hot Springs 501.525.4343 • 1.888.845.5379

6601 Interstate 55 N, Marion 870-739-7337 Front Porch

600 Highway 62-65 North, Harrison, AR 72601

870-741-8211

woodmotor.com Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

Grower Direct

Muscadines and Blackberries.

FREE Hearing Assessment for members and their families Discount on Hearing Aids Statewide Network of Hearing Professionals 60 Day Trial Period 2 Year Minimum Manufacturer Warranty and Accidental Loss & Damage FREE Batteries (1 box per aid, with purchase)

We also offer over 200 varieties of Fruit a Nut Trees plus Vine and and Berry Plants.

Ison’s Nursery

Since 1934

(One of your Arkansas Farm Bureau Member Benefits!) Schedule Your FREE Hearing Assessment Today call

(888)mni7hhnn toll free

www.clearvaluehearing.com

Better Hearing is Better Living!

Grow half-dollar size

Free Catalog

PO Box 190 Brooks, GA 30205 1-800-733-0324 • isons.com

ATTENTION

We have the people and experience to fix your transmission.

OWNERS

Call us for all your parts, units and service

MOBILE HOME EXPERT INSTALLATION

LIFETIME WARRANTY INCREASED HOME VALUE

INSURANCE CREDIT

REDUCED ELECTRIC BILL

2101 E. Broadway, NLR, AR

STOP LEAKS

Open: M-F 8am- 5pm

NO MORE ROOF RUMBLE

American Shifty Corporation Arkansas’ Largest Tractor and Truck Transmission And Rear End Rebuilders! ®

We represent:

Since 1983

roofover.com

800.633.8969 Front Porch

GM • Eaton • Fuller • Spicer • Clark • Rockwell • IH • Axel Tech • Rexroth • Carraro Murphy • Durst • Wichita Clutch • ZF • Twin Disc • Cotta • Funk Mfg.

501 945 0878 • 800 444 5977

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

One cannot help but be impressed when standing beneath Arkansasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; state-champion bald cypress tree in White River National Wildlife Refuge. With a height of 120 feet and a girth of more than 40 feet, this 2,000-year-old colossus is the largest and oldest living thing in the state.

8 8

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau â&#x20AC;˘ summer 2016

Grandeur, History and Beauty The big trees of Arkansas by Keith Sutton Drawings by Linda Williams Palmer

ou can’t imagine a tree more massive. Its top branches tower 120 feet above the ground. That’s the same height as most water towers. Seven men holding hands could barely surround the huge trunk. Experts say the tree may be 2,000 years old. If so, it sprouted about the time Jesus died on the cross. When the Crusades began in medieval Europe, it loomed above the forest — a 1,000-year-old giant. The tree thrived 15 centuries before Christopher Columbus set foot in the New World. For two millennia, this grand bald cypress has endured nature’s ravages. Today it stands within White River National Wildlife Refuge, not far from Ethel in Arkansas County. A 1.2-mile trail leads to its base. There you can look up in awe at the largest and oldest living thing in the Natural State — a champion of champions. The Arkansas Forestry Commission’s Champion Tree Program recognizes the ancient cypress as the biggest tree in the state. But the registry also includes 111 other species believed to be the largest of their kind in Arkansas. The program heightens awareness of these living monarchs. It also helps protect these special trees so future generations may enjoy them. The search for America’s biggest trees began with forester Joseph Sterns. In September 1940, his story, “Let’s Find and Save the Biggest Trees,” appeared in American Forests magazine. The words it contained prompted nationwide efforts to find and protect the remaining giants. Since then, American Forests has maintained the National Register of Big Trees (www.americanforests.org/ bigtrees), a list of the largest trees in America. The program presently recognizes 781 champions, each a

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

different species. Arkansas’ Champion Tree Program, and similar programs in every state, originated with this national archive. So what makes a champion tree? Size. Scorers measure each tree’s height, trunk girth and crown spread. Using a special formula, the scorer then determines the tree’s “bigness index,” which officials use to decide if the tree is the biggest of the big for its species. Not all champions are giants. For example, the statechampion fig tree in Brinkley measures just 18 feet tall with a crown spread of 7 feet and a 44-inch trunk. That’s much smaller than the 143-foot-tall champion loblolly pine in Howard County. It has a 72-foot crown and 178inch trunk. Each champion exhibits qualities that make it special and worthy of protection. Some champion trees grow in remote areas or on private lands. Many are difficult to view. Fortunately, others are easily seen near roadsides or on lands open to the public. For example, visitors to Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville can view the champion blackgum, downy serviceberry and eastern white pine on the grounds. Our biggest southern catalpa grows in Historic Washington State Park in Hempstead County. The champion chinkapin oak, a 102-foot-giant, towers above Riverside Park in Batesville. In recent years, native-stone monuments are beside many champions, helping visitors make sure they’ve found the correct tree. Thirty-two counties have no champion trees. Seventeen have only one. Benton County boasts the most, with nine. These include the champion black cherry, blackgum, American chestnut, downy serviceberry, Siberian elm, slippery elm, eastern white pine, yellowwood and roughleaf dogwood. White County ranks second with the

champion American holly, American hornbeam, swamp cottonwood, silver maple, planertree, white poplar and water tupelo. To see a complete listing of Arkansas’ champion trees, visit http://forestry. arkansas.gov/pages/championtrees.aspx. Updates occur every five years. Former champions are removed as new, larger champions are identified. Arkansans wishing to nominate a tree for measurement as a possible new champion should use the form at the same web address. In addition to crowning champion trees, the Arkansas Forestry Commission assists with a program to recognize trees with historical significance. Called the Arkansas Famous and Historic Tree Program (AFHTP), it works to promote appreciation of Arkansas’ trees and their significance to national and/or state history. The 44 trees and tree communities presently listed come with as many stories as they do growth rings. The Arkansas Millennium Landmark Tree ranks high among the notable listings. This ancient white oak, known as the Council Oak, grows beside the Arkansas River in Dardanelle. It’s the lone survivor of a group of oaks once found there. Native Americans used the river for transportation and named the “Council Oaks” as their designated spot to meet and discuss tribal relations. Arkansas territorial governor Robert Crittenden and Chief Black Fox of the Cherokee Nation signed an 1823 treaty under the oaks, ceding Cherokee land south of the river to Arkansas. America the Beautiful Fund initiated the Millennium Landmark Tree project in 2000. Its goal was designating one historic tree in each state for preservation in the new millennium. Former Arkansas First Lady Betty Bumpers nominated the Council Oak, which was recognized in 2001. Like some other famous and historic trees, the Council Oak also holds a spot on Arkansas’ champion tree list.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

Located on private property near Evening Shade, Arkansas’ biggest shortleaf pine rises 108 feet above the Ozarks landscape in Sharp County, making it one of the true giants on the Arkansas Forestry Commission’s list of state champion trees.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Polk County proudly honors another historic champion tree. The 92-foot-tall water oak has been dubbed the T. Texas Tyler Tree, because it grows where Tyler (born David Luke Myrick) grew up. The Mena native earned international fame for his distinctive countryand-western music. He was a successful stage and recording artist in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. His popularity resulted in a performance at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, the first ever by a country-western singer. The huge tree remains beautiful even though it has withstood countless tornadoes, straight-line winds, floods and ice storms. It even endured the Myrick children. They spent countless hours climbing the trunk to their treehouse perched in the limbs. The Apollo 14 Mission Moon Pine planted at Fort Smith’s Sebastian County Courthouse in 1976 bears historical significance, as well. This loblolly grew from seeds taken on the Apollo 14 mission in 1971 by astronaut Stuart Roosa. NASA gave four of the pines to Arkansas, but only two stand today — the one in Fort Smith and one at the 1836 Hempstead County Courthouse at Historic Washington State Park. “People love stories about trees like these,” said AFHTP program coordinator Lynn Warren. “It connects them to history, culture, life and nature. All of us have childhood memories with trees and love to hear the stories about those silent witnesses to history. It’s fascinating to think about what an old tree has seen in its lifetime, which in some cases spans generations.” To read more stories about Arkansas’ famous and historic trees, visit http://arhistorictrees.org/.

Arkansas Famous and Historic Tree Program includes 44 historically important trees around the state, including the Council Oak in Dardanelle, the site of a major treaty between the Cherokee Nation and the territory of Arkansas in June 1823.

12 12

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

Residents of Mena call a state-champion water oak near the community the T. Texas Tyler Tree after the local son who gained fame as the first country-western singer to perform in New York’s Carnegie Hall.

An Artist’s Vision

Hot Springs artist Linda Williams Palmer brought renewed attention to Arkansas’ Champion Tree Program after traveling more than 7,000 miles around the state to complete a series of large colored-pencil drawings of these awe-inspiring trees. Her incredibly detailed works of art have been shown in numerous juried exhibitions and collections, and inspired an award-winning documentary film, Arkansas Champion Trees, created in 2014 by AETN. All the images for this article were created and provided by Palmer and will be featured in her book, Champion Trees of Arkansas: An Artist’s Journey, coming out from the University of Arkansas Press this October and available wherever books are sold. For more information, visit www.uapress.com. Archival prints of the champion trees can be viewed and are available on Palmer’s website, www.lindawilliamspalmer.com.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Great Savings for

Farm Bureau Members

$500

Members Save Up to

EXCLUSIVE

SAVINGS

For Farm Bureau Members

$500 Off Select Tractors & Equipment

on the purchase or lease of most new GM vehicles. Certain restrictions apply.

See Complete details at www.arfb.com

Visit www.fbverify.com/gm.

select models

fbverify.com/Polaris Save up to

20%

at Participating Choice Hotels

Call 800-258-2847 Mention your State ID# 00223030 Online Booking - www.choicehotels.com - enter your ID#

DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS; CREDIT CARDS; AUTO AND EQUIPMENT LOANS

Contact Your Local Farm Bureau Agent!

1-800-492-3276 www.farmbureaubank.com

Up to

20% off

For reservations call 800-364-6176 online wyndhamhotelgroup.com ID#1000000270

To Learn More About These And Other Valuable Member Offers Visit… 14

www.arfb.com Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

GREAT DRIVES START WITH

Quarterbacks dream of epic drives. As it turns out, so do you. With FaveRates, you can get all your favorite things

about auto insurance: local agents, competitive rates and fast, friendly claims. Call your local Farm Bureau agent or go to FaveRates.com today to score a 4-minute quote.

ARAUPR42772

FaveRates.com *Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. of Arkansas, Inc. *Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co. *Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co., Jackson, MS Front Porch | Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016 ®

A Rural Diamond in the Rough Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finders keepers at this world-class diamond dig by Ken Moore

A Rural Diamond in the Rough

16 16

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau â&#x20AC;˘ summer 2016

here’s no other place like this in the world. That’s right; the world. Nestled just outside of Murfreesboro in southwest Arkansas sits the world’s only diamond mine open to the public where visitors who find diamonds there may keep them. Crater of Diamonds State Park is a landmark that attracts diamond hunters from across the globe as word of the latest finds circulates immediately via the internet and social media. David Furr owns the Rattler’s Den restaurant in Murfreesboro, a small town of less than 2,000 in Pike County. While discussing the park’s impact on his business Furr says he regularly serves customers from distant countries. “Just this morning we had customers from Botswana, Africa and Sierra Leone,” Furr said. They’ve also come from Holland, China, France and other European countries. With the advent of the internet and social media once someone finds a big diamond everyone knows about it immediately. “You find a diamond here now, boom, you’re on the news. Two years ago the girl that found a 3.85 yellow canary diamond (13-year-old Tana Clymer from Oklahoma) was an instant celebrity,” Furr said. “Before she left town news crews from all over were here interviewing her.” Furr says a crew from the History Channel was recently in town producing a story on the mine. “We’re getting that kind of publicity,” he said. The public mining area is made up of 37.5 acres. “Here at the Crater of Diamonds it’s finders-keepers,” said James “Caleb” Howell, superintendent of the state park. Nowhere else in the world can you go dig in the dirt, prospect for diamonds or other gemstones and walk out with what you find.” Visitors come to dig, wet-sift or just walk and surface search a plowed field for diamonds and other rare, semi-precious gems. State Park interpreter Waymon Cox says the Crater of Diamonds is a volcanic pipe that, following an eruption hundreds of years ago, brought diamonds to the surface in a layer of magma.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

It’s not uncommon for several verified daily diamond finds, though most are less than a carat. However, the mine is receiving international attention for its rare, notable gems. Bobbie Oskarson of Longmont, Colo. found the 8.52-carat “Esperanza” diamond June 24, 2015. Through social media, it instantly received worldwide publicity. Ms. Oskarson retained master diamond cutter Mike Botha to cut her gem during a special in-store event at Stanley Jewelers Gemologists in North Little Rock last September. Botha cut it into an exquisite 4.62-carat jewel. Some gemologists consider it the most valuable diamond ever found in the United States. The Esperanza is completing a national tour before being sold at auction. Some estimate it will bring more than $1million. The Esperanza is the fifth-largest diamond found by a park visitor since the park opened in 1972. Larger ones include the 16.37-carat Amarillo Starlight in 1975 and 8.66-carat Illusion diamond in 2011. The largest ever discovered in the U.S. was unearthed in 1924. The “Uncle Sam” was a white diamond with a pink cast that weighed 40.23-carats. Recent finds that are much

smaller, yet still notable to the public continue to add to the park’s notoriety. “The Strawn-Wagner” diamond is the most perfect diamond ever certified by the American Gemological Society,” Cox said. “It was discovered in 1990 by a local woman, Shirley Strawn of Murfreesboro and weighed 3.03-carats. It was a beautiful, clear white diamond that received a perfect grade of O/O/O for ideal cut, color and clarity.” Strawn had it sent to renowned gemologist and diamond cutter Lazare Kaplan of New York. He cut it into a 1.09-carat round-brilliant shape. A diamond this perfect and weighing more than a carat after cutting is a one in a billion occurrence. “The state of Arkansas raised funds through private donations and purchased the StrawnWagner for $37,000,” Cox said. “It’s now on permanent display in our Diamonds come in all shapes and sizes. Larry Underwood of Pottsville found this 1.7-carat gem on Mother’s Day this year.

Photo by Keith Sutton

18 18

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

The Strawn-Wagner diamond is the most perfect diamond ever certified by the American Gemological Society. Shirley Strawn found the 3.03-carat white diamond at the park in 1990. It’s permanently displayed at the park.

Arkansas State Parks

visitor center where it attracts lots of attention.” Through 2006, the park received fewer than 70,000 visitors annually. However, attendance began skyrocketing following news of the “Okie-Dokie” — a 5.16-carat canary yellow gem found by Oklahoma state trooper Marvin Culver in March, 2006. “Culver was invited to appear on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and discuss his find. Following that broadcast our attendance doubled,” Howell recalled. In 2007, attendance jumped to more than 137,000 visitors. A record for one year was achieved two years ago with more than 163,000 visitors. Howell says the park is on pace to eclipse that this year. “We’re looking at possibly peaking at around 210,000,” he said. On the day of our visit, the park received a heavy rain the night before and several hundred people had descended on

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

the mine. “The best time to find diamonds is following a good rain. Good prospectors know this and our attendance is always up,” Howell explained. “Rain washes the soil away from the stones leaving the diamonds sitting on the surface. Just about all the large diamonds have been found by people walking the fields and drainage paths after a rainfall event.” He says they try to plow the fields on a regular basis to help loosen the clay soils but haven’t been able to since January because it continues to rain. However, the inability of the park to plow the fields hasn’t prevented recent visitors from making significant finds. On April 22, Gail Hudson of St. Louis spotted a teacolored 1.8-carat diamond just five minutes into her search. And on Mother’s Day, May 8, Larry and Peggy Underwood of Pottsville discovered a 1.7-carat gem. For many, prospecting for diamonds at the park has become a multi-generational family event.

“Many of our older visitors today came here as children decades ago and are bringing their grandkids with them,” Cox said. “All the time we see families coming to let their kids experience what they did when they were their age. Something that’s unique you can’t experience anywhere else.” Howell enjoys listening to children and other visitors when they stop at the Diamond Discovery Center to get their digging and sifting tools and talk about what they will do if they find a diamond. “We conduct exit interviews with visitors who find diamonds to generate articles for our newsletter. We ask them to share their dreams of what the experience means to them and what they plan to do with their diamond,” Howell said. “People read about these dreams and come to the park in hopes of realizing their own.” “Economically it means everything to a small business like ours,” Furr said. “I’ve owned the Rattler’s Den since 2012, but before that I had a restaurant in Kirby. It was during that time I began to notice the insurgence of tourists into Murfreesboro. I think it was 2003 the state park was featured on The Travel Channel. It was on their bucket list of Top 10 places Americans should visit. “Many of them stop here to eat dinner, and I love listening to their stories,” Furr continued. “One shared how he found a diamond in a pile of gravel someone had sifted and tossed out, not thinking there was anything valuable in it. He had the stone certified by Waymon Cox. You just never know.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Furr said he never has to advertise his eatery. “We don’t spend a dime. I’m always busy on days following a rain or after a big find. That creates a frenzy for everybody in town,” he said. “It’s not uncommon for us to have groups of 25 in here, all from the same family and their friends. “Most customers come in with muddy boots or shoes. That’s part of the experience. Where else on planet Earth will parents go and tell their kids to play in the mud while they hunt for rare and precious gems? Only at the Crater of Diamonds.”

Photo by Keith Sutton

Park interpreter Waymon Cox shows visitors how to wet sift and identify what they’ve found.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

he Crater of Diamonds is not only known for its significant finds, but also for the legendary visitors and prospectors who devoted much of their lives searching for rare gems. One such individual was local resident James Archer. “We still don’t know how many diamonds Mr. Archer found, but it’s something over 5,000,” Howell said. Following his retirement in 1987, Archer was at the mine “practically every day for 30 years” he said. A National Geographic photographer took his photo for an article about the park that hangs in the Diamond Discovery Center. Cox continues the story. “He registered many of his diamonds but gave many away, too. There’s no telling how wealthy this made Mr. Archer, but he was able to put his kids through college with his finds,” Cox said. “But he wasn’t wealthy just because of the value of his diamonds, but because of the countless friends he made here. He taught many visitors through the years the right way to surface search and wet-sift for diamonds. James Archer died of a heart attack in 2003 here on the field at the age of 77 doing what he loved. He left quite a legacy.”

Local resident James Archer spent practically all of his retirement searching for diamonds at the park. He’s honored at the park with this photograph that was taken for a National Geographic article about the park.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Ta s t e A r k a n s a s

Another goal of Airship Coffee is securing better coffee prices for farmers. Mark Bray set up taste testing events and silent auctions where U.S. roasters could bid on specific harvested coffee. In some cases, these auctions resulted in the farmers getting four times what they normally were paid for their coffee.

Flying High with Airship Coffee by Kimberly Mitchell Photos by Amber Bray and Mallory Berry 22

he first sip of morning coffee signals the beginning of a new day for many people. For Mark Bray, one sip catapulted him into a venture that’s taken him to rural coffee growers around the world and brought the world back to Arkansas via his company, Airship Coffee located in Bentonville. Bray’s fascination with coffee began in a fruitbreeding class at the University of Arkansas. His professor challenged each student to choose an unfamiliar crop and research it. Bray hit the library and learned all he could about coffee, from how the tree grows to the supply chain that imports vast amounts of coffee into the U.S. each year. Bray quickly learned that coffee is a tough business for farmers in countries like Costa Rica and Honduras where local businessmen monopolize transporting the coffee to market. Many farmers lose their farms. It’s an unending cycle of poverty for those growing a product so popular more than 500 billion cups are consumed annually. Bray got the chance at the end of that class to visit Honduras with fellow students. He visited coffee farmers in the Opalaca Mountains. Amidst their simple hospitality and great coffee, he decided he wanted to help these farmers get a fair deal selling their product. The idea for Airship Coffee took root. Bray worked as an agricultural extension agent for the University of Arkansas for seven years while Airship grew into a full-fledged coffee importer. He returned again and again to the Opalaca Mountains with teams of people to help coffee farmers implement SALT (Sloping Agricultural Land Technology) techniques to improve soil quality. He encouraged the farmers to plant trees that would return nitrogen to the soil alongside their coffee plants and offered to pay for each tree they grew. Soon both the trees and coffee plants flourished. It was time for Bray to step up his role. He began importing the green coffee to a warehouse in

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

Bentonville and roasting it for wholesale. The launch of Airship Coffee was complete. Despite the success of his early years as a wholesale coffee supplier, Bray was still a researcher at heart and the coffee farmers of Honduras and other rural communities stayed on his heart. At Airship, he constantly asked, “How can we capture the most value on a farm?” That question propelled Bray to Ethiopia and a U.S. Agency for International Development conference that addressed the technique of sun drying coffee. It’s the oldest method of processing coffee. Growers from around the world discussed the best practices and how to consistently produce the amazing flavors sun-dried coffee creates. Unlike regular processing methods that use vast amounts of water, sun drying coffee uses no water to process the coffee cherries. Bray quickly emailed a group of farmers in Guatemala who had little access to water and suggested they try the method. The Guatemalan farmers built the raised beds necessary for drying their coffee, and that first crop produced a flavorful coffee for Airship to import. Neighboring farmers noticed the success

and began asking about the process. Bray organized a workshop, which included bringing some John Brown University students into the mix. Several were from Central America. With the students’ help, Airship taught the sun-drying method to 13 farms in the community. Airship promised to buy the sun-dried coffee beans at $2.50/lb., well above the fair-trade price. The following harvest produced far more coffee than Airship could roast alone, so Bray reached out to other U.S. roasters and proposed a tasting and silent auction. Roasters would sample a batch of the coffee, then bid on the rest of the produce. One batch sold for a startling $10.40 lb. “We’ve done this for three years in Guatemala,” Bray said. “The market will bear that cost, because they want the flavor we’re able to achieve.” Bray is proud of what the farmers in Honduras, Guatemala and other countries like Ethiopia and Burundi produce for Airship. But he’s more impressed with seeing the economic success of the rural communities. Farmers who once lived in debt and constant fear of losing their farms now have a reliable direct importer in Airship Coffee. And Airship guarantees the farmers

will receive the most value for their crop. Bray’s more recent vision refocused on Arkansas. He wants to push beyond the boundaries of wholesale importing and directly connect local coffee drinkers to the farmers producing the flavorful beans half a world away. He now owns Mama Carmen’s coffee shop in Fayetteville. He took on ownership with some trepidation, but the experience has heightened his desire to bring his two worlds together through one great drink. Airship Coffee is entering a new phase, though Bray is coy about his company’s future. “We have some plans to do something new no one has done in the coffee world. It’ll start in northwest Arkansas,” he promised. Until Bray reveals his plans, you can sip Airship Coffee at Crystal Bridges Museum, Table Mesa in Bentonville, Mama Carmen’s in Fayetteville and Chapters on Main in Van Buren. Airship also maintains an e-newsletter available through airshipcoffee.com. Meanwhile, Airship Coffee continues to bring superior flavor to Arkansas and connect people from different cultures, just as Mark Bray first connected with Honduran farmers over a simple cup of coffee.

Amber and Mark Bray (left) visit the Guatemalan coffee farm of Krystal and Julio Melendez (right). At Airship Coffee, Mark uses his background and experience as a former agricultural extension agent to develop relationships with coffee farmers and to share information to improve growing conditions, improve efficiency, get better crop yields and capture the most value on a farm.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Can We Lease Your Land for Our Solar Farms?

Do You Have Large Power Lines on Your Land? Lease to Us Today!

This depicits 3 phase power,notice the 3 conductors on the top of the power pole.

Large Power Lines on Your Property?? Lease Us Your Land!

We Will Pay $750-$1,250/Acre/Year – 20 to 40 Yr. Lease We Require Large Tracts of Land (Over 125 Acres) w/ 3Phase Power for Our Solar Farms Large Land Tracts Needed – Land Cannot be in Flood Zone – Must Not Be Wetlands

Long Term Land Leases Needed-(20 – 40 Year Leases – $750-$1,250/Acre/Year)

CALL (828)-817-5400 Visit our website at www.InnovativeSolarFarms.com Email Us – InnovativeSolarFarms@gmail.com 24

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

Owned and operated by Farmers working to help the American Farmer

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

866-479-7870

Over 26 years of Service

Gravette, AR

www.MARATHONMETAL.com sales@MarathonMetal.com

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2016

La n d & P e o p l e

Professor Bob Stark

Helping students grow by Gregg Patterson

n essential part of growing future farm leaders in rural communities around the state is being involved with college ag students. And that’s what the Collegiate Farm Bureau program is all about. One of the most active chapters in the state is the University of Arkansas at Monticello. One of its faculty advisors is UAM Professor of Agriculture Bob Stark, Ph.D. Professor Stark’s involvement with Arkansas Farm Bureau began in 1997 when he brought students to the capitol to see the legislative process at work. “I met with Farm Bureau representatives when I took my Ag Policy class to the Capitol,” he said. The students got to meet with Farm Bureau’s government and public policy team. “We’ve been coming back ever since then,” Stark said. This past school year’s chapter president John Erickson sees the value in the chapter’s association with the county Farm Bureaus in its area. “It helps us to be able to interact with the county Farm Bureaus. We make connections with people, which is always good for potential job opportunities. It also provides an outlet for us to be involved in the community,” Erickson said. Last year, chapter members helped serve steak dinners to around 250 attendees of the Drew County Farm Bureau annual meeting. Erickson says Drew County Farm Bureau is a big supporter of the chapter, helping send students to the annual state Young Farmers & Ranchers conference among other things. “It’s really taught me how to communicate with people,” said chapter member Justin Calhoun. Participation in the discussion meets teaches you how to speak in front of people. Going to Farm Bureau meetings allows you to meet people in high positions. And you learn how to meet, greet and talk to them.” Chapter member Morgan Calhoun also sees value in the association with Farm Bureau. “It’s definitely helping, like Dr. Stark taking his policy class to the capitol, because that’s a big part of what Farm Bureau is all about,” she said. “We got to talk about different bills they were trying to pass, so it helps to keep up with those things.” Professor Stark says it’s important for his students to learn and understand the policy process. “They will be making future policy. The students that we have today will be the agricultural producers and the ag industry leaders of tomorrow,” he said. “I think it’s important to learn how all of the system works together

Dr. Bob Stark is in the business of growing new agricultural leaders in his role as a faculty advisor for the Collegiate Farm Bureau program at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Photo by Keith Sutton

and the connections that are tied into it, and I strive to do that. “I’m glad to hear the students talk about the importance of meeting people, because it’s all about person to person. And that’s one of the things we strive to do with Collegiate Farm Bureau.” Most gratifying for professor Stark are the former UAM Collegiate Farm Bureau students who are now leaders in their communities. “The students get to talk with those people and see how they’ve advanced and branched out into different areas, as well as meet the lobbyists and policy staff for Farm Bureau and see how they work for the farmers and the farm industry.” Professor Stark has two signs taped above the door in his office. He says they remind him why he’s there every day. One states: “Pray for faith strong enough to be still while God works. Pray that you’ll hear the question when someone asks it.” And the other is the biblical verse from 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

LIP A0813

SFBLI_sCarolinaAd_Layout 1 10/20/2015 8:52 AM Page 1

Front Porch

*ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU® CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY *SOUTHERN FARM BUREAU® LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY WWW.SFBLI.COM

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

AUTO • HOME • LIFE

in the kitchen

Dairy Contest Winners Shine Try these moo-licious recipes Photos by Keith Sutton

hristian Talley of El Dorado and Emma Williams of Searcy were winners at the 59th annual Arkansas Dairy Foods Contest held June 1 as part of National Dairy Month. Talley, 16, is the daughter of Dee Shana Talley and Michael Galbraith. She won the Main Dish competition with her Cajun Corn & Crab Bisque. Williams, 17, is the daughter of Bill and Ruth Williams. She took first in the Party Idea competition with Paradise Coconut Cream Pie. Winners received $150. The criteria used to judge the entries included recipe, use of dairy products, originality, availability of ingredients and serving technique. Emma Williams with her Paradise Coconut Cream Pie

PARADISE COCONUT CREAM PIE Ingredients

Topping

• •

• • •

• •

Crust 20 pecan shortbread cookies (crushed) 1 cup flaked coconut ⅓ cup butter (melted)

Filling • • • • •

1½ cups milk 1 small package (3.4 oz.) vanilla instant pudding 1 cup flaked coconut ½ cup sour cream 1 large banana (sliced)

•

Filling In a large mixing bowl, combine milk and vanilla pudding and whisk until stiffened. Fold in one cup of coconut and sour cream until blended. Set aside. Arrange sliced bananas on the bottom of cooled crust. Cover with pudding mixture; Set aside.

One 8 oz. can crushed pineapple (drained) 1½ cups whipping cream ¼ cup granulated sugar ½ cup toasted flaked coconut (toasted)

Directions

Crust Mix cookie crumbs, 1 cup coconut and melted butter in a small mixing bowl and blend well. Press into a pie plate to make crust. Bake 10 minutes at 325 degrees F or until lightly browned.

Topping Combine whipping cream in a bowl and beat until stiff; add sugar and continue to beat until mixed. Fold drained pineapple and prepared whipping cream together and spoon over the pudding mixture of the pie and sprinkle with toasted coconut.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

CAJUN CORN AND CRAB BISQUE Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 tablespoons flour 1 medium onion, diced small 1 stalk of celery, diced small ½ cup carrots, diced or grated 2 cloves garlic, diced 2 cans (14.5 oz.) chicken stock 2 bay leaves

2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning 1½ cups whole kernel corn (frozen) 2 cups heavy cream 2 cups milk 6 green onions, diced (divided in half) One 8 oz. package cream cheese 2 lbs. lump crabmeat 1 teaspoon liquid crab boil to taste Salt and pepper to taste.

Directions

In a large pot, melt butter. Add flour and brown lightly. Add onion, celery and carrots. Cook until vegetables are soft. Stir in garlic at the end to keep it from overcooking. When vegetables are soft, stir in chicken stock, bay leaves, Cajun seasoning and corn. Bring to a boil and boil for 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaves. Reduce the heat and slowly stir in heavy cream, milk and cream cheese. Add in ½ of the green onions (retain ½ for garnish) and allow to return to almost boiling. Once heated through and cream cheese is completely melted, combine into the bisque. Add liquid crab boil, salt and pepper to taste. Fold in crabmeat (if you stir too much, the crab falls apart). Serve immediately garnished with diced green onion. For more great recipes, go to www.tastearkansas.com.

Christen Talley with her Cajun Corn & Crab Bisque

1-800-814-3311 www.sbimetalbuildings.com Hot Springs, Arkansas

For equipment sheds, barns, outbuildings, garages, and everything else under the sun, you can count on SBI Metal Buildings for competitive pricing and timely delivery of complete, precision fabricated buildings systems. SBI is a single-source manufacturer of all the components for our pre-engineered metal buildings. Our quality control leads to superior quality, and that quality can also be found in our components, metal roofing panels, cee’s, zee’s and trim.

When you want the best, you want SBI.

metal roofing panels, Cee’s, Zee’s, & Trim. SBI is a single source manufacturer located in Hot Springs, AR.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

H e a l t h & Sa f e t y

Rice Bran Shown to Fight Cancer Process patented by UA Division of Agriculture by Dave Edmark

ice bran – a byproduct of rice milling abundant in Arkansas that’s used as low-cost animal feed – could become a player in some much higher stakes. Organic substances in rice bran have potent anti-cancer capabilities and can potentially be used in food ingredients both for preventive and treatment purposes against the disease. The organic substances are peptides that are bioactive – meaning they can affect living organisms or the tissue around the peptides. Proposed uses are in the patent issued in 2013 to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. More research and development of commercial partnerships is needed before anything is ready for the market. “We are looking for partners who can work with us so that we can move to the next step of research,” said Navam Hettiarachchy, University professor of food science. She is the inventor of the process outlined in the patent. “As a follow-up, we have to do a clinical trial to test its efficacy,” she said. “Initially, we’ll conduct clinical trials on animals and then move to human subjects.”

Peptides, organic substances in rice bran, have been shown to promote anti-tumor proliferation in human cell lines. Peptides consist of amino-acid molecules that are structured like proteins but are smaller. During milling the outer aleurone layer, known as bran in cereals, forms a byproduct that contains oil, protein and fiber. After oil is extracted from the bran, the resulting inexpensive residue rich in

UA research has shown rice bran could help fight cancer. Arkansas grows more rice than any state in the country.

protein can be used to produce valueadded bioactive peptides. Gastrointestinalresistant peptides with bioactivities can be produced by using enzymes with rice bran protein. Food products under Hettiarachchy’s patent would include a biopeptide that could find applications including beverages, dairy products and other suitable products. It can also be synthesized. Hettiarachchy says isolating and purifying peptides from rice bran can serve as a less expensive, natural alternative to synthetic anti-cancer drugs. Hettiarachchy’s research group used human cell line culture models to determine the bioactive capabilities of peptides obtained from rice bran to determine that they have potential as antitumor agents in humans. Findings

Front Porch

from the research could be a basis for animal and human trials. “These bioactives could be our next generation of natural anti-disease agents delivered at low cost,” Hettiarachchy said. The team’s efforts received funding support from a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) breast cancer research project. Hettiarachchy’s group in collaboration with UAMS found that rice bran-derived peptides could inhibit growth of breast cancer cells in human cell lines. Hettiarachchy expects that the peptides can be implemented through nutraceuticals, food products, as well as dietary supplements that have health benefits. The clinical trials that Hettiarachchy hopes to pursue are costly and will require additional funding from new sources.

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

Mobile Home

Visit Spring River

Owners: ROOF KING

Mobile Home Super Insulated

Camp and Canoe

Roof Over Systems 40 Year Warranty Factory Direct From Roof King

Check out our AWESOME packages!

The TKO

Perfect for 6 People! Perfect Family Getaway The TKO offers two nights camping for up to 6 people and the 12 mile float trip with three canoes. Spend the night, float the next day, and spend a second night relaxing under the stars.

The Split Decision

Perfect for 4 People! Not sure what to do? The Split Decision allows you to try out two ways down the river. One five mile trip in two canoes, take a break for lunch, then a second five mile trip in four kayaks!

1-800-748-0645 Established in 1982

The Knock Out

Perfect for 12 People! Bring your friends! We give you two nights of camping for 12 people on two connecting lots, the perfect length 12 mile float trip in two six man rafts... And we will even supply the firewood.

SEA MINERALS No Minerals No Life

Build your organic matter. Buy NO fertilizer.

Apply To Any Growing Forage

$4 Per Acre • $12 Per Year $50 Per 50lb Bag • $1,600 A Ton

free shipping ton lots

870-856-4595 • 870-847-5274

918-367-5146 918-698-5308

www.springrivercampground.com

www.seamineralsusa.com

Buying, Selling, and Managing Timber Deltic Timber Corporation focuses expertise on Arkansas’s most abundant natural resource. When it comes to buying, selling, and managing timber, Deltic is in the business of bringing experience, knowledge and innovation to the task. For more information, contact Scott Milburn at 870-881-6461; scott_milburn@deltic.com.

P.O. Box 7200 El Dorado, Arkansas 71731-7200

SFI-XXXXX

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

B U ILDIN G W E A LTH Be smart and stick to your budget and financial plan and avoid these money mistakes.

Five Bad Money Habits These mistakes can cost you dearly by Lisa Lakey

e’re all trying to make ends meet when it comes to using our money wisely. According to Laura Hendrix, an extension personal finance expert for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, there are five bad money habits that can prove costly to consumers. 1. Put it off for tomorrow. It can be tempting to push bills, bank statements, retirement planning and other finances to the back burner. But Hendrix, an assistant professor, said “out of sight, out of mind” is bad advice for financial management. “The best way to build financial stability is to take control of your finances,” she said. “Know your income and expenses. Create a plan for spending and saving. Set goals for the future. Make a list of action steps to reach your goals.” 2.

Comfort shopping and impulse buying.

According to Hendrix, emotional

4. Waiting for a windfall. While it’s tempting to plan on using an anticipated check, like a tax refund, to catch up on bills or pay off loans, Hendrix suggests not making plans for money that isn’t yet in the bank. “This type of financial planning puts consumers deeper in debt,” she said. “While waiting for the windfall, additional critical expenses may arise. Don’t spend money you don’t have.”

spending can lead even the best laid plans astray. “Shopping for pleasure and entertainment can be fun but often results in unwanted debt,” she said. “Advertisers attempt to beguile consumers into making unplanned purchases. Stick with your shopping list. Stay focused on your goals.” 3. Start saving later. Too often an emergency arises and consumers find themselves without the adequate savings to cover expenses. Hendrix said delaying saving can be a costly expense and should be a priority now, not later. “Time is critical for growing savings and investments,” she said. “Small deposits can add up to big savings through the magic of compound interest. Save for emergencies, for retirement and for goals such as home ownership or education. The sooner you start, the more your money will grow.”

Keeping up with the Joneses.

In a culture that says bigger is better, it’s hard not to get caught up in the competition. “Think about your needs and values, Hendrix said. “Make decisions that build long-term financial security. Don’t play the game of conspicuous consumption.”

For more information and financial management tips visit the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service website at www.uaex.edu.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

Foundation Problems? Call Us Today For a Free Estimate!

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL Locally Owned & Operated SLAB REPAIR

Piers to Stable Clay

Pressed Pilings to Refusal

PIER & BEAM

FRENCH DRAINS

DuraSteel Piers

Sills Replaced

Wet Basement

Pilings

Joist Replaced

Wet Crawl Space

Mud Pumping

Rotten Floors Replaced

Poor Yard Drainage

Raising & Leveling

Brick Repairs

Termite Damage Repair

HOME SERVICES FOUNDATION REPAIR, INC. www.homeservicesfoundationrepair.com • Toll Free: 1-877-256-7900

HOME SERVICES SAVES YOU MONEY!

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Delta Child

Rain Dance by Talya Tate Boerner

addy said our farm was cursed. So far, every July thunderstorm split and traveled around us or vanished completely off the radar. Last week I could smell rain so strong I climbed my favorite mimosa tree and waited for it to move over our cotton field. The wind whipped, and the temperature plunged to tolerable, but the storm never came. I wondered if I’d imagined the whole thing. As the days dragged on with an endless feel, my sister and I did our best to stay out of Daddy’s way. Momma tiptoed around too. Why anyone would choose to be a farmer was one of life’s greatest mysteries to me. A future dependent upon weather seemed like the riskiest sort. One night just before my birthday, Momma made Daddy’s favorite fried chicken for no reason other than to conjure a better mood from him. Daddy ate a few bites of his supper, pushed his chair from the kitchen table, and walked into the den to watch the weather forecast. The weather forecast had become the worst part of our night. The weatherman grinned and pointed to the bright orange sun covering our section of the weather map. The sun looked to be cut from fancy paper and had a smiley face printed on it. I considered writing a letter to the weatherman that very minute to let him know a smiling sun was not fitting for farmers during times of drought. And it

wouldn’t have hurt the weatherman to tone down his cheerful attitude, either. As soon as the seven-day forecast confirmed another string of bone-dry days, Daddy flipped off the television and disappeared into his office without a word. Farmer families survived only seven days at a time, and our next seven days looked grim. “Come with me,” I said to my sister, knowing she would follow me even without my urging. “Where are we going?” “Outside.” We slipped out the back door and walked to the center of the yard where our favorite old tree stump marked home base during games of hide-and-seek. “Let’s do a rain dance,” I said. “Will it work?” “It worked for the Indians. I read about it in the encyclopedia.” I took her hands, and we circled around and around the tree stump in ring-aroundthe-rosie fashion. My sister hummed a tune I couldn’t make out, and I concentrated as hard as I could on rain – the smell of it, the feel of it, and the sound it makes when fat drops hit the tin roof of the barn out back. Lightning bugs flickered and danced with us as the sun sank deeper into the thirsty cotton field. “How long does it take to work?” “A while.” I watched the violet sky spin as

we twirled faster and faster. We continued our rain dance for a bit longer until mosquitoes drove us inside. Five or six days later, or maybe a week even, I heard rumbling in the west toward the river. Before long, the summer sky split open with a loud clap, and rain began to fall in straight sheets. “It worked!” my sister whispered to me as she pulled on her rain boots and flashed a we-have-a-secret smile. We raced out the back door and spent the better part of the day splashing up and down the gravel driveway, splattering water that quickly puddled in low spots. Rain fell all afternoon. By suppertime, water stood between rows of cotton. Momma baked a chocolate cake to celebrate. That night during the weather forecast, Daddy laughed and said, “It must be nice to get a paycheck even when you give out wrong information.” I just smiled and nodded enjoying Daddy’s rare good humor. My sister elbowed me and giggled. Daddy never really understood how much power my sister and I had. And we never told him either. Read other work by Talya on her blog “Grace, Grits and Gardening” found at www.gracegritsgarden.com.

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

We Support Arkansas Farmers and Ranchers They provide safe, affordable food for our families. - Lacy Glover Former Miss Arkansas

They provide one in six Arkansas jobs, 25% of our economy, 75% of wildlife habitat and spend millions each year protecting our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s environment. - Governor Asa Hutchinson

Agriculture is growing Arkansas Front Porch

growingarkansas.org

Arkansas Farm Bureau â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2016

Trouble HEARING on the Phone

? Free* captioned telephone service from Arkansas Relay offers the ability for anyone with hearing loss to communicate on the telephone independently.

LISTEN, READ and RESPOND to your callers

with ease on the CapTel® phone!

*CapTel callers are responsible for their own long distance call charges.

FEATURES: n n n

Built-in answering machine with captions Large 7” screen with easy-to-read captions One-touch button to reach customer service

Seasonal 7 Day Western Caribbean Cruise aboard the Carnival Freedom. One of the newest and largest Fun Ships! April 21-29, 2017 Prices for this cruise are based on double occupancy (bring your spouse, significant other, or friend) and start at only $945.00 per person (includes tour bus transportation from Little Rock to Galveston round-trip). A $250 non-refundable per-person deposit is required to secure your reservations. Contact Teresa Grace at Poe Travel 800.727.1960. Day Port Arrive Depart Sat Galveston, TX 4:00 PM Sun Fun Day At Sea Mon Fun Day At Sea Tue Montego Bay, Jamaica 9:00 AM 6:00 PM Wed Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 7:00 AM 4:00 PM Thu Cozumel, Mexico 10:00 AM 6:00 PM Fri Fun Day At Sea Sat Galveston, TX 8:00 AM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE OR TO GET A CAPTEL PHONE: n n

800-981-4463 www.arkansasrelay.com/captel

Forget the airline security hassles, cramped seating, ear-piercing loud engines and long lines. We’ve chartered a 56 passenger motorcoach to whisk you to departure on our Caribbean Cruise! It’s equipped with comfortable amenities like reading lights, internet service, DVD players, fully equipped restrooms, roomy luggage bins, fully adjustable seats, large tinted windows and complete climate-controlled comfort. Join us for a pleasant trip! Reserve your seats now.

Avoid Knee Surgery

Hot Springs- Knee pain sufferers who are facing surgery have found hope in a new breakthrough knee treatment called Cold Laser Therapy. A Free Knee Pain Information Kit is now available that reveals how a safe, non-surgical, painless therapy not only gets rid of knee pain, but also stimulates healing of inflamed tissues in and around the knee. In this kit, Dr. Roth, DC explains how Cold Laser has helped thousands of knee pain sufferers get out of pain. If you suffer from knee pain, you need to order this Kit while supplies last. Already had surgery and still in pain? Cold Laser can help. To

receive your Free Kit Call Toll Free (888) 233-3893. Hurry, supplies are limited. (24 hour recorded message)

Front Porch

Arkansas Farm Bureau • summer 2016

How Does Harbor Freight Sell GREAT QUALITY Tools at the LOWEST Prices? We have invested millions of dollars in our own state-of-the-art quality test labs and millions more in our factories, so our tools will go toe-to-toe with the top professional brands. And we can sell them for a fraction of the price because we cut out the middle man and pass the savings on to you. It’s just that simple! Come visit one of our 650+ Stores Nationwide. ER N

20"

P O RAPID PUMP® 3 TON SU UP LOW PROFILE CO HEAVY DUTY STEEL FLOOR JACK Customer Rating

SAVE $80 • Weighs 73 lbs. LOT 61282 shown 61253/62326

comp at

$169.99

$8999

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 11/1/16. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

SUPER COUPON

WITH ANY PURCHASE

FREE 4

VALUE

$ 99

LOT 69052 shown 69111/62522 62573/65020

3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT NINE LED ALUMINUM FLASHLIGHT

Customer Rating

LOT 69445/61858 69512 shown

$9999

comp at

18999 $269

™

comp at

$14.97

Customer Rating

SAVE $99

SUPER COUPON

15999

comp at

$199

LOT 69034 shown 60728/62858/63054

Customer Rating

10 FT. x 20 FT. PORTABLE CAR CANOPY

$9999 SAVE 78 $

Customer Rating

R PE ON SU UP CO

900 PEAK/ 700 RUNNING WATTS 2 HP (63 CC) 2 CYCLE GAS RECREATIONAL GENERATOR

comp at

$168.97

8999

LOT 60338 Customer Rating 69381 shown

12 VOLT MAGNETIC TOWING LIGHT KIT

LOT 69626 63100 shown

$34.95

$999

comp at

SAVE 71%

R PE ON SU UP CO

LOT 61280/63124/63145 95692 shown

WOW SUPER COUPON

R PE ON SU UP CO

NON-CONTACT INFRARED THERMOMETER WITH LASER TARGETING LOT 61894/60725 69465 shown

$69.99

$2499 comp at

• 650+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com 800-423-2567

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 11/1/16. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

Customer Rating

SAVE 64%

800-423-2567. Cannot HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 7- Good at our stores or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original be used with other discount orOffer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original purchase with original receipt. through 11/1/16. Limit one coupon per customer per day. coupon must be presented. Valid

$999 $1299

SAVE 33%

1-1/4 GALLON HOME AND GARDEN SPRAYER

LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 11/1/16. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.

16 DRAWER ROLLER CABINET

SAVE $623

LOT 61609/67831 shown

Customer Rating

• 1060 lb. capacity • 14,600 cu. in. of storage

comp at

$952.99

WOW SUPER COUPON

SAVE $169

1 TON CAPACITY FOLDABLE SHOP CRANE

• Includes Ram, Hook and Chain

WOW

QUALITY TOOLS LOWEST PRICES EVERYDAY SUPER COUPON

20%

ANY SINGLE ITEM

OFF

ANGLE GRINDER

SAVE 40%

R PE ON SU UP 26", CO

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, automotive lifts, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Badland, CoverPro, Daytona, Diablo, Earthquake, Franklin, Grant’s, Holt, Jupiter, Lynxx, Maddox, Portland, Predator, Stik-Tek, StormCat, Union, Vanguard, Viking. Not valid on prior purchases. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 11/1/16.

R 4-1/2" PE ON SU UP CO Customer Rating

LOT 95578 69645/60625 shown

$20.26

$1199 $32999 comp at

$58.55

• 350 lb. capacity

comp at

$2199

LOT 62515/66911 shown

STEP STOOL/ WORKING PLATFORM

LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 11/1/16. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R PE ON SU UP CO

SAVE 62%

Customer Rating

800-423-2567. Cannot HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original be used with other discount orOffer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original purchase with original receipt. through 11/1/16. Limit one coupon per customer per day. coupon must be presented. Valid

• No Hassle Return Policy • Lifetime Warranty On All Hand Tools

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 11/1/16. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed • Over 30 Million Satisfied Customers

R PE ON SU UP CO

RIP

LOT 47873 shown 69005/61262

16 OZ. HAMMERS WITH FIBERGLASS HANDLE

CLAW

LOT 69006 60715/60714

YOUR CHOICE

$17.99

$399

comp at

Customer Rating

SAVE 77%

$149.99

comp at

• 1.3 GPM

LOT 69488

1650 PSI PRESSURE WASHER

LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 11/1/16. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R PE ON SU UP CO

SAVE 70

7999

Customer Rating

SAVE 66%

$17.97

$599

comp at

LOT 66537 shown 69505/62418

72" x 80" MOVING BLANKET

R PE ON SU UP CO

Customer Rating

LOT 95275 60637/61615

5999

$89

comp at

$4999

Customer Rating

3 GALLON, 100 PSI OILLESS PANCAKE R AIR COMPRESSO shown

WOW SUPER COUPON

SAVE 43%

or by calling stores or HarborFreight.com LIMIT 5 - Good at our used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be from original purchase with original receipt. coupon must be purchases after 30 days Non-transferable. Original Offer good while supplies last. . Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 11/1/16

Arkansas Farm Bureau • Summer 2016

Front Porch

with a Farm Bureau Bank

SPLASH INTO SUMMER SAVINGS

With your Farm Bureau membership, you have access to member-priced loans, competitive protection plans, and flexible terms on new or used boats, motor homes and travel trailers. Get ready for some fun in the sun or out on the water with a Farm Bureau Bank loan!

For more information or to apply, contact your Arkansas Farm Bureau Agent or call 800.492.3276 | www.farmbureaubank.com