Front Porch - July/August 2012 by Arkansas Farm Bureau

FRONT PORCH July-Aug. 2012

arfb.com

S 39

things to see, do, eat and enjoy in Arkansas

Get in shape now ... No gym dues, no weights, no running

Easy ice cream recipe

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FRONT PORCH

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FRONT PORCH

Farm Bureau

Matters

July-August 2012 C

V E

by RANDY VEACH

FRONT PORCH

President, Arkansas Farm Bureau

July-Aug. 2012

arfb.com

Arkansas Farm Bureau recently sent a

39 things to see, do, eat and enjoy in Arkansas Get in shape now ... No gym, no weights, no running

Easy ice cream recipe

On the cover — Ah summer. That beautiful season when school is out and we actively seek opportunities to get away and relax. Our cover features the swimming hole at Charlton Recreation Area near Crystal Springs on the Ouachita National Forest. Photo credit: Keith Sutton

letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services,

of the expansion of the Cache River Refuge

encouraging its support to remove blockages

would be removed. We believe this to be the

from the Cache River of northeast and east-

best approach to protecting both the sensitive

central Arkansas. This issue has haunted area

wildlife habitat and working lands along the

landowners as far back as the 1940s, and

Cache River.

continues to impact productive farmland,

On a related front, the American Farm

wildlife habitat and highway travel today.

Bureau has filed an amicus brief with the U.S.

Fish & Wildlife is in the process of

Summer Fun! Keith Sutton

3 4

Farm Bureau Matters Randy Veach Food for Thought Ewell Welch

Supreme Court in support of the Arkansas

acquiring property to expand the Cache River

Game and Fish Commission’s 7-year-long

National Wildlife Refuge, a 56,000-acre stretch

lawsuit against the United States government

of wetland habitat that extends through

for cost recovery of timber damages to

Jackson, Woodruff, Monroe and Prairie

its Dave Donaldson Black River Wildlife

counties and provides feeding and resting

Management Area.

areas for migrating waterfowl.

Send comments to: frontporch@arfb.com

By doing so, any suspicion about the motives

Some landowners have expressed concern

The AGFC claims it is entitled to compensation from the Corp of Engineers

that the acquisition boundary proposal may

under the Takings Clause of the Fifth

be partly aimed at recent efforts to remove

Amendment for physically taking its

blockages in the Cache River upstream from

bottomland hardwood timber on Dave

the refuge. Some fear the U.S. Fish and

Donaldson Black River WMA through six

Wildlife Service may use the acquisition

consecutive years of protested flooding during

authority to somehow stifle efforts to remove

the sensitive growing season.

the blockage, which limits the Cache’s natural

Flooding of this green tree reservoir at

flow and causes flooding upstream that is

specific times during the winter months

16 Taste Arkansas Tara Johnson

killing age-old hardwood timber stands,

enhances waterfowl hunting opportunities

inundating cropland and has even cut off

and serves as a valuable food source for

18 Land & People Gregg Patterson

major traffic arteries in the area.

wintering migrating birds. It was the long-

22 Building Wealth Allyson Hamlin

the habitat in the refuge and supports its

Corps of Engineers that AGFC had no control

preservation. We also recognize the damage

over that has taken its toll on this valuable

In the Kitchen Tara Jonson

caused by the blockage to both wildlife

resource.

Health & Safety Gregg Patterson

to endangered wildlife habitat and farmland

based on our belief that farmers are hurt more

can be prevented by removal of blockages in

than any other group with flood waters are

the river.

intentionally released. In this case, farmlands

Created by

Publishing Concepts, Inc. Virginia Robertson, Publisher

Farm Bureau recognizes the value of

habitat and productive farmlands. This impact

We encouraged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

term flooding caused by decisions from the

Farm Bureau’s “friend of the court” brief is

were damaged as a result of the Corps’

Service to embrace removal of the blockages

decision to stray from its operating plans. A

as a priority goal for the Cache River. This

ruling in AGFC’s favor would set a precedent

For address changes, contact:

problem can only be solved through a united

that would enable farmers to sue for damages

Rhonda Whitley at rhonda.whitley@arfb.com Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation Farm Bureau Center P.O. Box 31 • Little Rock, AR 72203-0031 Fax: (501) 228-1557 Please provide membership number.

effort of private and public entities. We need

if and when the Corp arbitrarily deviates from

to get those blockages cleared.

its defined plans with regard to water release.

vrobertson@pcipublishing.com 14109 Taylor Loop Road • Little Rock, AR 72223

Edition 81

We asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

The Supreme Court is expected to

Service to form active partnerships with those

schedule oral argument in the case this fall or

who are trying to alleviate the obstructions.

early 2013.

FRONT PORCH

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Food for Thought

by EWELL WELCH

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Included in membership dues.

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU OFFICERS: President Randy Veach Manila Vice President Rich Hillman Carlisle Secretary/Treasurer Tom Jones Pottsville Executive Vice President Ewell Welch Little Rock DIRECTORS: Richard Armstrong, Ozark Troy Buck, Alpine Jon Carroll, Moro Joe Christian, Jonesboro Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart Mike Freeze, England Bruce Jackson, Lockesburg Johnny Loftin, El Dorado Gene Pharr, Lincoln Rusty Smith, Des Arc Allen Stewart, Mena Mike Sullivan, Burdette Leo Sutterfield, Mountain View

Executive Vice President, Arkansas Farm Bureau

EX OFFICIO Sue Billiot, Smithville Janice Marsh, McCrory Kirk Meins, Stuttgart Brian Walker, Horatio Executive Editor: Steve Eddington Editor: Gregg Patterson Contributing Editors: Ken Moore, Keith Sutton, Chris Wilson Research Assistant: Brenda Gregory ADVERTISING: Contact David Brown at Publishing Concepts, Inc. for advertising rates. dbrown@pcipublishing.com (501) 221-9986 Fax (501) 225-3735 Front Porch (USPS 019-879) is published bi-monthly by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, 10720 Kanis Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211. Periodicals Postage paid at Little Rock, Ark. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Front Porch, P.O. Box 31, Little Rock, AR 72203.

Good communication is the

he wasn’t sure he wanted to eat at

foundation for any successful

McDonald’s anymore after seeing a

relationship. And the key factor in

movie about it in school.

good communication is providing

“The guy ate at McDonald’s for 30

credible and reliable information. It’s

days in a row and almost died,” his

something our organization works

son explained. “Can we go to Sonic

hard to provide.

instead?”

Getting credible and reliable

The dad patiently explained

information is often a challenge in an

that you could probably go to any

agenda-driven Internet world, where

restaurant – fast food or fancy

anybody can post and say just about

gourmet – and if you ate only the

anything regardless of whether it’s

highest-caloric items on the menu,

true or not.

you probably could make yourself

This is especially the case when

sick after 30 days in a row. But there’s

trying to assess credible and reliable

nothing wrong with a meal that

information about the food we eat.

includes farm-fresh eggs, sausage,

More and more people want to know

pancakes and some hash browns.

where their food comes from and

The dad then reminded his son of

how it’s produced. That’s a good

a statement the boy’s grandmother

thing. We want consumers to meet

always repeats. “Everything in

farmers and learn about the food

moderation.”

being grown and raised. And you can do that with our food blog at

Wise words. Wise woman. I’m proud of our efforts here at

tastearkansas.com, as well as getting

Arkansas Farm Bureau to inform the

great recipes.

consuming public about our food

However, many websites, TV

supply. We work hard to make sure

shows, movies, etc., don’t present

you have access to credible and

credible and reliable information.

reliable information when it comes to

They don’t always allow truth or a

understanding agricultural interests

fair presentation of the facts get in

that affect your everyday life.

the way of their agenda. The son of one of our employees

These efforts include our website (arfb.com) – recently redesigned to

just completed seventh grade. Getting

make it easier for you to get that

ready for school one morning the dad

credible and reliable information

offered to treat his son to breakfast

about agriculture – and this

at McDonald’s. Normally, this would

publication, Front Porch.

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

his son loves the Big Breakfast – hot

credible and reliable information.

cakes, sausage, scrambled eggs and a

That’s what we strive to share with

hash brown. It’s something they like

you.

elicit an enthusiastic response as

to share. Only this time, the son said

FRONT PORCH

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Good communication, based on

It’s our promise to you.

FRONT PORCH

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things to see, do, eat and enjoy in Arkansas -

by Keith Sutton

Glenn Wheeler

FRONT PORCH

I a rf b . co m

Delta Rivers Nature Center

F !

Fun, food and fabulous things to see

centers are great places to visit

and do are right here in Arkansas. Here’s a

during summer vacation. Learn

list of some of summer’s best. You’ll want

about the Delta and its rivers at

to get started right away!

Gov. Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff. Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature

Take a dip

Center in Jonesboro encompasses a

With some 9,700 miles of streams

5.5-acre prairie, 2.5-acre pond and

and more than 600,000 acres of lakes,

100 acres of wildlife-filled woodlands.

Arkansas encompasses hundreds of great

Fort Smith’s Janet Huckabee Arkansas

swimming holes.

River Valley Nature Center has a huge

A longtime favorite in the Ouachita

aquarium full of Arkansas River fish

National Forest is at Charlton Recreation

and turtles. And visitors to the Witt

Area, 20 miles west of Hot Springs on U.S.

Stephens, Jr. Central Arkansas Nature

270. Take a plunge in spring-fed Walnut

Center in downtown Little Rock can

Creek above a native-stone dam that

enjoy summer programs that include

forms the swimming area; then enjoy

Archery on the Lawn (July 21 and Aug.

picnicking, camping, hiking or fishing.

18), where you can test your skills with a bow and arrow. (agfc.com/education/Pages/

ADPT

(freecampsites.net/charlton-recreationarea/)

EducationNatureCenters.aspx)

An Ozarks favorite is crystal-clear Sylamore Creek in Blanchard Springs

The recently opened Crystal Bridges

Recreation Area north of Mountain View.

Museum of American Art in Bentonville

Fed by icy water from Blanchard Springs

has assembled a collection of American

Caverns, this picturesque pool stays cool

art rivaling in quality anything available

and refreshing, even on 100-degree days.

to museum visitors in New York,

Check out nearby Gunner Pool as well.

Washington, Los Angeles or Chicago.

(forestcamping.com/dow/southern/ozarcmp.

You’ll need half a day or more just

htm)

to see it all, with only minimal study

Civilian Conservation Corps workers

When the temperature soars, we chill out with these cool goodies: •

everything from colonial portraits

snack bar and bathhouse that form the

(including an iconic George Washington

backdrop at Lake Ponder in Crowley’s

by Gilbert Stuart) and 19th-century

Ridge State Park, a favorite northeast

landscapes (some from Thomas Moran

Arkansas swimming hole at Walcott since

and Albert Bierstadt) through Norman

the 1930s. Refresh yourself in the cool,

Rockwell’s 1943 classic Rosie the Riveter,

spring-fed waters of the lake or relax in

Andy Warhol’s Dolly Parton and more

the sun on the sandy beach. A portion of

contemporary works. (crystalbridges.org)

Homemade ice cream (check out the recipe for Nutella Peanut Butter Chunk at tastearkansas.com)

•

An ice-cold slice of Hope or Cave City watermelon

of individual paintings. It includes

built the historic pavilion, dance floor,

the lake has been sectioned off for pedal

Beat the heat with a treat

•

A mint julep with real mint (a Southern summer tradition)

•

Sno-cones (our favs: Dreamsicle, Tiger’s Blood, Bahama Mama and Sour Green Apple)

•

Lemonade with watermelon chunks (you’re welcome)

Just east of Mountain Home, Norfork

boats and water bikes use, which are

National Fish Hatchery offers free tours

available for rent. (arkansasstateparks.com/

of facilities that produce millions of

crowleysridge/)

rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout for Ozark streams. Children can try their luck at landing trophy trout from the

Some of the best things in life are free, including these attractions you can visit

waters of adjacent Dry Run Creek. (fws. gov/norfork) Part classroom, part museum and

for nothing but the time it takes to get

part playground, the Arkansas Game

there.

& Fish Commission’s four nature

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Keith Sutton

Enjoy some freebies

Saturday nig ight h is al alri righ gh ght ht fo for raci cing ng. Suzanne’s Fruit Farm, Hampton Peaches, plums, blackberries, muscadines, scuppernongs. suzannesfruitfarm.com Jeff Shultes

Collins Round Mountain Orchards, Conway Peaches, nectarines, plums, blackberries,

Go to the races Saturday night is race night in Arkansas. And with at least 19 speedways in the state

watermelon, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, okra, eggplant, peppers, corn, peas,

Lake Catherine State Park No tent? No problem. For just $40 a

muscadines, apples, pears.

in Batesville, Beebe, Bee Branch, Caddo

night, you can use the park’s Rent-A-Camp,

collinsorchards.com

Gap, Centerville, Flippin, Harrisburg, Little

complete with tent, two cots with foam

Rock, Murfreesboro, Newport, Paragould,

mattresses, a lantern, stove and ice chest. The

Mountain Home Berry Farm,

Plumerville, Prescott, Texarkana, Van

tent rental includes a picnic table, lantern

Mountain Home

Buren, Warren and West Memphis, you

holder and grill. Be sure to see The Falls

Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries.

could visit a different track every weekend

while you’re there. (arkansasstateparks.com/

mountainhomeberryfarm.com

with no repetition. From the ever-popular

lakecatherine/)

I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, where racing fans have been gathering for more than half a century, to the Two-Lane Blacktop

Grab some BBQ

JFK Recreation Area & Campground

No need sweating over the grill on

This campground off Arkansas 25 near

Drag Strip near Bee Branch that opened in

Heber Springs stays cooler than most thanks

sweltering summer days. Get some take-out

2007, there’s something for everyone who

to its location adjacent to the Little Red

and stay cool.

enjoys drag racing, stock-car racing, kart

River immediately below Greers Ferry Dam

racing and more. Find race track websites at

(swl.usace.army.mil/parks/greersferry). A water

Uncle Henry’s

speedwaysonline.com.

temperature in the 50s cools the air and

202 S. Rock St., Sheridan

Pitch a tent Four great spots to set up camp and enjoy the outdoors

supports a thriving population of rainbow,

We love their piled-high pork sandwiches

brown, brook and cutthroat trout you can

with sweet sauce and slaw, and their cowboy

catch next to your campsite. If the fish aren’t

beans are to die for. They sell locally grown

biting, go see the big ones at Greers Ferry

produce, too, including great sides like fresh

National Fish Hatchery right there.

tomatoes and corn.

Village Creek State Park The park’s 18-hole championship golf course recently reopened after a total

Rivertowne BBQ

Pick your own

205 S. 3rd St., Ozark (rivertownebbq.com)

Somehow summer produce tastes best

Their specialties are chicken, beef and

makeover, with nine more holes scheduled

when you pick it yourself. Here are some

pork seasoned with a signature dry rub and

to open in July. Great fishing and swimming

places to go:

smoked on the premises daily. The meaty,

here, too, plus nature programs, hiking and horseback riding. (arkansasstateparks.com/ villagecreek)

falling-off-the-bones-tender ribs are hard to beat though and mmm . . . the honeybun

Fres Fr esh h Arrka kans nsas as peeaach hes

cake.

Hickory Nut Mountain

Sims Bar-B-Que

This primitive Ouachita National Forest

They have three locations in Little Rock

campsite has few modern amenities, but

(simsbarbecue-ar.com)

those who like a quiet spot with a scenic

Everything Sims cooks is good, but

view will relish the spectacular vista of Lake

we get half a smoked chicken every time,

Ouachita. Plenty to do nearby, including

surrounded by slices of white bread and

swimming, fishing, hiking and free

drowned in a tangy Carolina-style sauce that

bluegrass/gospel music concerts Saturday

would make a boot taste good. Finish up

nights at 7 p.m. on the Mt. Ida courthouse

with a slice of sweet potato pie.

Keith Sutton

lawn. (fs.fed.us/oonf/ouachita.htm)

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â&#x20AC;˘ Go ziplining. Rowdy Adventures,

balls through wire wickets on the

R veert Ri rtow rtow o ne BBQ rib ibs

Okolona

lawn. First one through the last

rowdyadventures.com

wicket wins. Victorian garb optional.

â&#x20AC;˘ Find a diamond. Crater of Diamonds

Keith Sutton

â&#x20AC;˘ Horseshoes: Practically anyone

Play a game outdoors, not in Turn off the TV, game console and

can play, and you can adapt the

State Park, Murfreesboro

game to be easy or challenging,

craterofdiamondstatepark.com

depending on the playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ages and

â&#x20AC;˘ Race a terrapin and try to catch

skill levels. All you need are two

a greased pig. Johnson Co. Peach

1-inch iron stakes hammered in the

Festival, Clarksville

ground 40 feet apart and four iron

http://sites.google.com/site/ johnsoncountypeachfestival/home

horseshoes.

â&#x20AC;˘ Pet some farm animals, plus (for

â&#x20AC;˘ Frisbee golf: To win, you must

computer, then get outside and enjoy a

throw the Frisbee from the tee area

real) a zebu and a zonkey. Farmland

fun lawn game with family and friends.

into interspersed course targets (a

Adventures, Springdale

Old-time favorites include:

basket) with the fewest throws.

farmlandadventures.com

â&#x20AC;˘ Badminton: Great fun for individuals

â&#x20AC;˘ See a Minor League baseball game.

â&#x20AC;˘ Kickball: Play it like baseball.

or teams. Players use rackets to hit

Players in the infield kick a rubber

Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little

the shuttlecock, or birdie, back and

ball to advance players around the

Rock

forth across the net until it touches

bases. The most runs scored wins.

travs.com

the ground or goes out of bounds. The last side to return a valid serve wins a point. â&#x20AC;˘ Croquet: Remember this one? Players use wooden mallets to tap

Arvest Ballpark, Springdale

6 fun things to do with the kids â&#x20AC;˘ Ride go-karts. Fun Trackers Family

nwanaturals.com Those are some of our summer favorites.

Park, Hot Springs

Share yours with us at facebook.com/

funtrackersfamilypark.com

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! s t r e p x e g financin lifestyle trucks, vehicles & ATVs • recreational property • refinancing • operating loans & MORE! •

• homes & home construction • land & acreage • farms of all sizes • livestock

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Taste Arkansas From farm to table compiled by Tara Johnson

A Bean2Blog

Arkansas farmers grow soybeans on

more acres than any other crop. I knew this fact. I have recited it to people pretty often. I tout edamame as the best snack ever. I’ve even posted recipes including it here and there. However, I didn’t know that soybean oil is in paint, ink, varnish, insulation and several other products. I also didn’t know you could make soy candles, soy lip balm and soy fibers. I’d never tried soymilk. In May, I learned all about soybeans at an event for bloggers called Bean2Blog.

The Arkansas Soybean Board in partnership with P. Allen Smith hosted Bean2Blog at Moss Mountain Farm. At the event, several women bloggers from across the state gathered to spend the day getting acquainted with the miracle bean. My favorite part of the day was listening to Jim Carroll, a soybean farmer, member of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion board and member of the United Soybean Board, talk about his Tara Johnson

life on the farm. Everyone in the room was enamored with Jim. He told us how his family came to farm the land he continues to farm. He told us stories of hardship and success. He made every blogger in the room feel the connection between the farmer and his farm. It was incredible.

Bean farmer Jim Carroll spoke to some 20 attendees of the Bean2Blog event about his life as a soybean farmer and member of the United Soybean Board and Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board.

We toured Allen’s garden home and learned that some paint and foam insulation contain soy oil. We traipsed

about some of the pathogens that affect

followers. Each blogger went home with

across Allen’s gardens in comfortable Ariat

soybeans. I tried soymilk for the first time

a sense of purpose to tell people that

boots provided by Country Outfitters

after Jim Carroll’s wife, Rhonda, showed

Arkansas’ farmers are not only providing

and learned about different varieties of

us the machine she uses to turn one cup

food, but also insulation, candles, paint,

soybeans and edamame. We ate a fantastic

of soybeans into one quart of soy milk.

ink and a variety of other products. I

lunch of pork loin, soy succotash,

Events like Bean2Blog are important.

left Bean2Blog wanting to share my

baked potato with a soy topping and

Some 20 bloggers attended Bean2Blog,

experience and my love of Arkansas

strawberry shortcake. We saw a cooking

and each one shared different stories and

agriculture. The more voices we have

demonstration by Allen and learned

experiences of the day with their blog

telling the story of agriculture, the better.

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Keith Sutton

Judge a book by its cover? The color of a ripe watermelon is dull, but the complexion is shiny. Never purchase a melon that has cracks, fissures or soft spots.

How to select a ripe watermelon Watermelon is a summer staple in Arkansas. We eat them at barbecues, at the

If the watermelon feels heavy for its size, it’s full of moisture and ripe. Step four: Squeeze the watermelon. Gently squeeze your shiny watermelon

lake, on the Fourth of July, with dinner and

and listen for a soft cracking inside. This is

even in our cocktails. There’s nothing quite

another indicator the melon is ripe. Don’t

like biting into a perfectly ripe, juicy, cold

squeeze it too hard; you could bust it. You

slice of watermelon during summer. Often,

also can hold the melon in one hand and

selecting the right melon can be tricky.

slap it gently with the other. If there is a

However, if you follow five simple steps, the

deep, thick and hollow sound, your chosen

path to finding the perfect watermelon is an

melon is ripe. Watermelons that aren’t ripe

easy one.

have a higher pitch than those that are.

Step one: Look for a shiny, blemish-free watermelon. The color of a ripe watermelon is

Step five: Remember the brands of good melons. If you’ve gotten a perfect watermelon in

dull, but the complexion is shiny. Never

the past, keep that brand in mind for the

purchase a melon that has cracks, fissures or

future.

soft spots. Selecting the perfect watermelon can be Step two: Find a yellow or white spot on the watermelon. Usually, watermelons have a yellow or white spot from where it has been sitting on

a process. However, biting into a delicious

2. When working with dough, don’t flour your hands coat them with olive oil to prevent sticking. 3. Microwave a lemon for 15 seconds before juicing, and you will double the amount of juice you get.

slice of watermelon – an expertly chosen watermelon – is all the satisfaction you need.

the ground. If the spot is yellow, the melon is ripe. If it’s white, it’s not.

1. Use two parallel skewers rather than a single skewer. Your skewers will be easy to turn and it will keep food from slipping off during cooking.

Tara Johnson is a contributor to Arkansas

4. To slice meat into thin strips before cooking, partially freeze the meat and it will slice easily.

Farm Bureau’s Taste Arkansas blog. For Step three: Feel the weight of the watermelon.

recipes, videos and farmer profiles, visit tastearkansas.com today.

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Land&People Service to others A legacy of service to farmers, community and Farm Bureau

by Gregg Patterson

M Mike Sullivan of Burdette has a

relaxed air about him even though it’s the height of last years harvest

season. Sullivan, 50, a fourth-generation Mississippi County row-crop farmer

Keith Sutton

casually mentions that “we’re done”

harvesting on the 7,200 acres he farms.

His crews are now helping neighbors get their crops in.

Service to others has always been

a part of the Sullivan family legacy in

Tied to the land Ryan Sullivan, 18, with his father Mike, plans to become the fifth generation of his family to farm once he graduates from college.

Mississippi County. It began with one of the first of their family to settle in Mississippi County, J.F. Thompkins,

as officers in Arkansas Farm Bureau. Mike Sullivan is no different. He

proclaimed “city girl” from Nashville, Tenn. Daughter Cristin, 22, recently

Mike’s great-grandfather. He was

presently serves on the ARFB board of

graduated from college and is looking to

instrumental in helping clear the land

directors. His agricultural heritage and its

land a teaching job. Son Ryan is off to

that makes this county one of the best

legacy of service are important to him.

college this year. He then plans to come

“It’s important to look after what’s

back to farm and be the fifth generation

places in the nation to grow cotton, and he was hired to recruit families to farm

good for agriculture in both Little Rock

of the family to work the land. It’s

it. He was a leader in the development

and in Washington D.C.,” Sullivan said.

something he’s always wanted to do.

of the Arkansas Seed Grower Association

When the opportunity came to run for a

“I’ve grown up working on the

(now the present-day Arkansas State Plant

board position, Sullivan knew it was time

farm. Dad started taking me out to

Board) and championed expanding the

for him to step forward.

do things with him when I was 6

number of branch agriculture experiment

“I felt like that was something my

years old,” said Ryan Sullivan, now

dad (Pat) would want me to do, and I

18. “There’d be no reason for me to

think back to my grandfather (Hays)

do anything else now that this has

Thompkins led the effort to establish

and great-grandfather and what they

all been set up for me. I love being

drainage districts in the area. He then

accomplished.” All three became

outside, and I feel it’s a natural thing

helped organize farmers into what is now

president of Mississippi County Farm

that comes to me. I get everything

Arkansas Farm Bureau and was its first

Bureau, a position Mike also reached in

about farming.”

president; all this in a life that was cut

1995. His father also served on the state

short at age 57. The generations following

Farm Bureau board of directors.

stations to advance agricultural research. After the great flood of 1927, J.F.

him have farmed and been similarly proactive in agricultural issues and served

Brothers Tim and Scott Sullivan farm Sullivan Farms. Wife Cynthia is a self-

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Farming is certainly a natural thing in the Sullivan family; as natural as service to the farm community through Arkansas Farm Bureau.

The Ozark Folk Center is a great place for your whole family to experience the crafts, music and herbs of the Ozarks. The Craft Village is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Concerts are at 7 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday. Check out the down-home good cooking at the Skillet Restaurant and stay in our comfortable Cabins at Dry Creek. To plan your getaway, visit OzarkFolkCenter.com for a listing of workshops, events and concerts. Come learn a craft, listen to music and enjoy the gardens. Come play with us!

SEASON EVENTS JU LY

AUGUST

4: Donkey Days & 4th of July Celebration 5-7: 9th Annual National Shape Note Gathering 7: Cool Foods Cooking Class 9-13: Day Camp 12-14: Great Smoky Mountain Cloggers 13: Handcrafted Evening in the Park 17-21: Women of the Ozarks 21: The Women of Mountain Music 23-27: Day Camp 26-28: Mountain Dulcimer Workshops

2-4: Hammered Dulcimer Workshops 4: Exotic Influences on Ozark Cooking 9-11: Old Time String Band 17-19: Mountains, Music & Motorcycles 25: Carter Family Tribute 31: Tribute to Grandpa Jones

1-3: Labor Day Weekend â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hands-on in the Park 7-9: Folk Dance Days 14-15: Arkansas State Fiddle Championship 21-22: Cowboy Gathering

SEPTEMBER 1: Tribute to Grandpa Jones 1: Dutch Oven Cooking

,QIRUPDWLRQ Â&#x2021; &DELQ 5HVHUYDWLRQV Â&#x2021; 2]DUN)RON&HQWHU FRP FRONT PORCH

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T There are more than 6 million Farm Bureau member-families in the United States, with more than 210,000

Arkansas Farm Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission t advocate the interests of agriculture in the public arena;

member-families in Arkansas.

www.arfb.com www.facebook.com/ArkansasFarmBureau twitter.com/ARFB www.youtube.com/arkansasfarmbureau 20

t disseminate information concerning the value and importance of agriculture; and t provide products and services which improve the quality of life for our members. FRONT PORCH

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Arkansas Farm and Ranch Families Provideâ&#x20AC;Ś Safe, affordable food

FOOD

24% of Arkansas Jobs

JOBS

75% of Wildlife Habitat

Meet Lacy Glover

ENVIRONMENT

Former Miss Arkansas and Spokesperson on for the Arkansas n for Agriculture Foundation

Arkansas

Protecting the Environment

Foundation for Agriculture www.growingarkansas.org

Building

Wealth

The value of Farm Bureau membership Great products and service for your busy life

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® Arkansas Agriculture

InTheKitchen Easy ice cream Stop the heat cold with this simple summer recipe

by Tara Johnson

Tara Johnson

I scream, we scream This easy and versatile ice cream recipe is great for creating whatever flavor craving you have for the world’s greatest dessert.

W What is better on a hot summer day

than ice cream? If you’re like me and

ingredients, the flavors and mix-ins of

make a different flavor, omit the Nutella

your choice.

and peanut butter chips.

don’t have an ice cream maker, don’t worry.

You don’t need a noisy ice cream

maker or the messy endless amounts of

Let your imagination run wild,

of this ice cream would turn out. Let me

and create a flavor of your own. I

tell you I was pleasantly surprised. It was

made strawberry by adding a teaspoon

creamy, smooth and just perfect.

of vanilla extract and a carton of

ice and rock salt to make this ice cream recipe. This recipe requires three basic

I was skeptical about how the texture

I made a Nutella Peanut Butter Chunk

ice cream as directed below. However, to

Nutella Peanut Butter Chunk Ingredients

strawberries pureed in the blender. It was awesome!

Instructions 1. Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks in a large bowl. Whisk

2 cups heavy cream

sweetened condensed milk, butter and Nutella in a large

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

bowl. Stir in peanut butter chips. Carefully fold in whipped

3 tablespoons butter, melted

cream.

½ cup Nutella

2. Pour into a 2-quart container and cover. Freeze six hours or

1 cup peanut butter chips

until firm. Store in freezer.

Strawberry Replace the Nutella and peanut butter chips with one pint of strawberries and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Tara Johnson is a contributor to Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Taste Arkansas blog. For recipes, videos and farmer profiles, visit tastearkansas.com today.

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Health&Safety Get in shape now No gym dues, no weights, no running

by Gregg Patterson

I’m not a big fan of working out. I

see the need for and the benefits derived from it. However, I got a belly full of it as a college javelin thrower working out four to six hours a day, seven days a week. Don’t get me wrong. It was a blast, but I don’t ever want to see another weight room or ever run another step unless my life depends on it. At 54, my body is broken down from Keith Sutton

that youthful exuberance – a scar tissue encapsulated partially torn Achilles tendon, $3 worth of loose change in the form of torn cartilage in one knee, an arthritic big toe and a balky lower back; the result of the unnatural, violent trunk twisting throwing motion required to launch that spear. Add to that a longterm battle with thyriod disease.

Take a seat The “chair sit” or “wall sit” is a simple but excellent way to improve leg strength. Place your back against a wall and slide down to the sitting position. I started out by doing six sets a day for 30 seconds each, then added five seconds each week as my legs got stronger.

I knew things were beginning to

got me moving again. I added distance

Wall, or chair sits are perfect for

deteriorate more than a year ago when

(now at 3 miles) as I got used to it and

strengthening legs. Simply place your

I got my annual physical and weighed

didn’t worry about timing myself or any

back against the wall and bend at the

in at 248 pounds. Now I can hide that

other distractions. I choose a pace that’s

knees until you’re in the sitting position.

pretty well on a 6-foot-4-inch frame, but

comfortable based on how I feel and then

Hold that position for a set amount of

I just wasn’t feeling well. Something had

walk a little faster to push myself and

time. Do six sets of these. When I first

to be done.

get a decent cardio workout. No more

started, I could only remain in the sitting

running. I hate running.

position for 30 seconds. I added five

Should I buy a gym membership and pay it for a year but quit going after two

To work on upper body strength, I

seconds to each set whenever my legs got

months? Blow several hundred bucks on

added six sets of pushups. I could only

strong enough. Now my sets are three

some dumb TV-hawked piece of in-home

do 10 pushups at first. By the start of

minutes each.

gym equipment? Go back to lifting

the second week, I felt good enough to

weights and buying $100 running shoes?

add one pushup to each set, so I did six

sits. I now weigh 220 pounds (same as in

Not me. I wasn’t getting caught in those

sets of 11. The six sets are never done all

college). It didn’t cost any money, and I

traps again. I just turned my back on all

at once. I just make sure to get as many

didn’t have to run or lift any weights. Try

of it and walked the other way – literally.

done during my waking hours as possible.

it or whatever works for you. The key is

Way out of shape, I started by walking

Now, I do 30 for each set and have settled

to start exercising.

a mile four to five days a week. That

on that being enough.

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That’s it. Walking, pushups and wall

More service. Same auto discounts. Any insurance company can offer “discounts”. But with us, you talk with your local agent face to face. That way, you know you’re getting the premium discounts you qualify for, from day one. And you know we’ll check for more discounts every 6 months. That’s why our customers stay happy. And we think you will, too. Call today.

Real service. Real people.

ARAUPR41596

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*Not all discounts are subject to semi-annual automatic review. *Discounts may vary, and do not apply to life insurance products. Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. of Arkansas, Inc. Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co. Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co., Jackson, MS

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Picture this!

Dust off your cameras and take part in Rural ReďŹ&#x201A;ections, FBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Front Porch photo contest.

arm Bureau members now have the opportunity to spotlight their creativity, their perception and their ďŹ&#x201A;air for the dramatic â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or the comical or even the tragic â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in Front Porchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third Rural ReďŹ&#x201A;ections Photo Contest. This competition offers amateur photographers the chance to explore the many activities, seasons, triumphs, disappointments and faces of agriculture, our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key industry. The photos that win this competition will capture the image and spirit of agriculture, and Farm Bureau, in Arkansas. The contest includes two divisions, High School (ages 14â&#x20AC;&#x201C;18) and Adult (19 and older). The winner of each receives $250. In addition, one entry will receive a Grand Prize of $500. The winners and honorable mentions may have their works published, with credit, in Front Porch and Arkansas Agriculture magazines, on Farm Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website, arfb.com, and in other publications. Arkansas Farm Bureau has the ďŹ nal decision on any and all questions or concerns regarding rules, judging, eligibility, prizes awarded or anything else that may arise pertaining to the Rural ReďŹ&#x201A;ections Photo Contest.

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FREE Personalized Engraving Shimmering Sterling Silver Plating and 24K Gold Plating

Celebrate the Gift of Family with Sparkling Ribbons of Love The brilliance of genuine diamonds radiates in a beautiful presentation of the love you cherish most. Introducing the exclusive “Family of Love” Personalized Diamond Bracelet—a celebration of the most precious bond of all! Personalized with the Names of Your Choice Exquisitely hand-crafted, this stunning bracelet features 10 genuine diamonds set between wave-shaped links plated in gleaming sterling silver with 24K gold-plated accents. You create a special keepsake by personalizing your bracelet with up to 10 elegantly engraved names. The bracelet is adjustable from 7” to 8” and features a 24K gold and silver plated heart charm at the clasp. A Remarkable Value ... Available for a Limited Time The “Family of Love” Personalized Diamond Bracelet is a remarkable value at $119,* payable in 4 installments of just $29.75 each, and backed by our unconditional 120-day guarantee. To reserve, send no money now; just mail the Reservation Application. Don’t miss out on this Bradford Exchange exclusive—order today!

www.bradfordexchange.com/family LIMITED-TIME OFFER Reservations will be accepted on a ﬁrst-come-ﬁrst-served basis. Respond as soon as possible to reserve your bracelet.

Charms shown actual size *Plus a total of $9.98 for shipping and service. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of your jewelry after we receive your initial deposit. Subject to product availability and order acceptance.

Shown Actual Size

Shown with 4 names engraved

Each member of the family... as precious as a diamond!

Arrives in a custom case with gift box and Certiﬁcate of Authenticity

Printed in U.S.A. 01-10678-001-BIU2

Please list names (up to 10) in the order you would like them to appear. Names will be engraved on the links from left to right, and centered on the bracelet.

RESERVATION APPLICATION

SEND NO MONEY NOW

P.O. Box 806 Morton Grove, IL 60053-0806

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Mrs. Mr. Ms.

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Address

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10.

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YES. Please reserve the “Family of Love” bracelet for me with the names indicated at left. (Limited to 10 names, 10 letters per name). Signature

Name (Please Print Clearly)

City State E-mail (optional)

Zip

01-10678-001-E40111

One Simple Rate for New & Used Vehicles

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2.99

APR*

36-MONTH TERM

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