LANDOWNERS, YOU COULD GET PAID FOR CONSERVATION EFFORTS
At the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, our mission is to protect and enhance our state’s natural wonders. However, our state is vast, and only 10% of it is public land that we can manage. This is why our partnerships with landowners are key to conservation and wildlife management in Arkansas.
If you’re a landowner, we offer numerous programs to help you get the most out of your land’s unique resources, including ways to:
• Benefit migrating waterfowl
• Provide additional cover and food on your forestland
• Improve your streams
• Provide fishing opportunities for the public
• Control feral hogs and invasive plant species
With your help, we can keep The Natural State, natural. In addition, we want to reward you for your efforts with a payment of up to $10,000. Apply now at AGFC.com/Habitat.
Scan here or visit agfc.com/habitat to apply for the Conservation Incentive Program.
MY VIEW FROM THE FRONT PORCH
by DAN WRIGHT ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT
Over the summer, one of the projects I had been working on was building a screened-in porch. It had been a dream of mine and Belinda’s, and we finally decided that it was time. What we didn’t expect was how much time the project would take – it spanned the entire summer. However, after months of effort, I’m proud to say the porch is now complete, just in time for the cooler weather.
These days, I find myself appreciating the porch more and more. Every morning, I grab a cup of coffee and spend a few peaceful moments before the day begins. There’s something magical about the crispness of a fall morning, the sound of dogs barking in the distance and the occasional gobble of turkeys. The air has that fresh, cool quality this time of year.
Fall is a season for reflection, and like many of you, I find myself looking back on the last few months and evaluating what went well and what could have gone better. On our farm, hay season has wrapped up, and we’ve cleaned and stored away the baler and tractors for the winter. As I reflect on the year’s work, I’m already thinking about what we can improve next year. I’m sure many of you are doing the same.
This year feels a little different because of the looming uncertainty surrounding the farm bill. The lack of one has been a pressing concern for us, and we’ve been working closely with our federal delegation to make sure they understand the needs of Arkansas farmers and ranchers. It’s a challenging time, but we’re hopeful that solutions are on the horizon.
Farming, like any other occupation, comes with its fair share of challenges – breakdowns, weeds, insects, too much rain, not enough rain or rain at all the wrong times. But it also comes with its rewards: increased crop and livestock production and those rare but wonderful days when everything just seems to go right. I always say that an uneventful day on the farm is a good day, and I’m sure many of you would agree.
Fall also brings with it cherished traditions. Since late August, football fans have been following their favorite teams, gathering at local coffee shops or feed stores to talk about the weekend’s games. It’s a time-honored tradition that we look forward to each year. And then there’s the family time that comes with the holidays. My family loves reminiscing.
Belinda and I are incredibly blessed to have a growing family. The sounds of our kids playing in the yard have now been replaced by the laughter of our grandkids, with the occasional playful argument over which one is Pawpaw’s favorite. These traditions and family moments ground us, offering a sense of stability in a world that often feels like it’s spinning out of control. That stability is priceless. Family traditions show us what really matters, but it’s not just family that offers this sense of grounding. The same can be said for the Farm Bureau. Every year around this time, we come together for our State Resolutions Committee and our state
convention, and these gatherings have become their own kind of tradition. It’s during these events that we adopt positions we need for state and national policy, whether that means developing new ones or updating existing ones. But even more importantly, we come together as a community.
Our annual convention is like a family reunion. People from all over the state come to reconnect with friends they may not have seen since the last gathering. We talk about our farms, kids, grandkids and marvel at how much has changed over the past year. For me, some of the most special moments come when I’m sitting in a hotel lobby or convention center, talking to the “oldtimers” about how things used to be and how they’ve changed.
These friendships make us stronger as an organization. The Bible says that a threefold cord is not easily broken, and I believe the friendships we cultivate within Farm Bureau make us a strong, united group. I’ve noticed some of the best business conversations happen in the hallways, outside of formal sessions.
In the midst of all the challenges and uncertainties we face, it’s good to ground ourselves in the one thing we all care deeply about: producing food, fiber and housing for our nation. When we gather together, we always seem to find the solutions we need. This is the strength of the Farm Bureau! Traditions, whether with family or within our Farm Bureau community, provide the stability we all need. May God bless you and your families this Christmas season, and may God bless the Farm Bureau family.
FRONT PORCH
Official membership publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation mailed to more than 190,000 member-families.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Included in membership dues
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU OFFICERS:
President / Dan Wright, Waldron
Vice President / Mike Freeze, Little Rock
Secretary/Treasurer / Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart
Executive Vice President / Jarrod Yates, Benton
DIRECTORS:
Magen Allen, Bismarck
Jon Carroll, Moro
Brad Doyle, Weiner
Jack Evans, Carlisle
Sherry Felts, Joiner
Chase Groves, Garland City
Jason Henson, Mount Judea
Terry Laster, Strong
Caleb Plyler, Hope
Bob Shofner, Centerton
Dana Stewart, Judsonia
Joe Thrash, Houston
EX OFFICIO
Nita Cooper, Everton
Brad Peacock, Bald Knob
Kerry Stiles, Marianna Stewart Warner, West Memphis
Executive Editor / Steve Eddington
Contributing Writers / Shaylee Wallace Barber, Chad Hooten, Matthew Magdefrau
ADVERTISING
Contact Chad Hooten at Arkansas Farm Bureau for advertising rates chad.hooten@arfb.com (501) 228-1274
Front Porch (USPS 019-879) is published quarterly by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation 10720 Kanis Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211
Periodicals Postage paid at Little Rock, AR
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Rhonda Whitley at rhonda.whitley@arfb.com
Front Porch • P.O. Box 31 • Little Rock, AR 72203
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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.
Fby JARROD W. YATES
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
armers and ranchers are the best of people. And I think they have the best jobs in the world. They grow animals or put seeds in the ground, nurture them, care for them, and out of the ground or off the farm comes the food and fiber needed to sustain life.
Most of us know that happens. We realize it’s happening out there in the countryside, but do we really understand and appreciate what all it takes for farmers and ranchers to be successful and make a living?
There’s an adage that farmers and ranchers are the truest form of gamblers, and in a sense they are. They take big risks. Farmers buy land, equipment, animals and food, and they build shelters and more – all to produce crops or grow animals. These efforts are extremely expensive, especially under severe inflation, and often require multiple loans for equipment and to sustain operations until the crop or animal is sold. They hold their mouths just right, cross their fingers and say a prayer that they will get paid enough for their crop or animal to cover the loans and maybe provide enough left over to expand their farms or support their families.
AD SERVING FARMERS, SERVING YOU
In the past couple of years, prices have not covered expenses and certainly haven’t provided any extra for growth or a family vacation. Times on the farm and ranch have been tough –mentally, physically and emotionally.
Something that is important to every farmer or rancher and their family is their health. The cost of health care and coverage has been a challenge for most Americans, as we’ve seen significant increases in costs across the industry. Farmers and ranchers are self-employed, so they shoulder 100% of their health coverage premiums.
As the average age of farmers and ranchers continues to rise, the number of young people entering agriculture as a profession is on a sharp downward trajectory. We are headed in the wrong direction for the future of agriculture and our country’s ability to have a safe and reliable source of food and fiber for generations to come. Food security is a national security issue.
A couple years ago, young farmer and rancher members of Arkansas Farm Bureau began talking about the cost of health care as one the of most significant financial obstacles to entering agriculture as a full-time profession. From a monthly cash flow perspective, they were having to work jobs off the farm just for the health benefits provided through an employer. Or instead of a spouse working full-time on the farm, they work an off-thefarm job just to provide health coverage for their family.
Most young farmers who are facing these challenges don’t qualify for government assistance with health coverage
premiums either. They fall within a doughnut hole created by the Affordable Care Act. They are healthy and yet can’t afford the high premiums of ACA coverage. They have voiced the need for health benefits but are unable to find affordable coverage that meets their needs.
Arkansas Farm Bureau members went to work on ways to help provide these folks with an affordable health coverage option that met their needs. Through our policy development process, the state passed legislation in 2023 to allow Farm Bureau to offer its members an underwritten health plan to help provide affordable coverage.
In October, ArFB county offices began offering these plans to our members. On Nov. 1, the first ArFB members began their health coverage with Farm Bureau Health Plans of Arkansas. This is exciting news for our members and their families.
If you’re reading this and wonder if this coverage would work for you and your family, I encourage you to contact your local Farm Bureau agent. They are ready to assist.
It helps that Farm Bureau agents are always there – in your community, in your church congregation, sitting in the stands with you on Friday nights. To me, that is what Arkansas Farm Bureau is all about. We love our towns and communities. We love our state. We love our rich agricultural heritage, the agriculture industry and all the folks in it.
A FAR M-TO-TABLE EXPERIENCE
Liz and Mike Preston welcome locals and tourists to their mercantile and bistro in the Arkansas River Valley.
A couple’s dual businesses in Paris and Clarksville connect local food, community and the economy
Story and photos by MATTHEW MAGDEFRAU
LIZ AND MIKE Preston took a leap of faith in 2013 by moving from California to Paris, Arkansas. They bought a farm — for sale by owner down a dirt road — on Craigslist. At the time, Liz was a biologist, and Mike, who goes by Preston, was a nuclear power professional, but they were both eager to start a farm along with other businesses.
Priced out of land in California, they turned their attention to more affordable places to live. The search led them to Paris in the Arkansas River Valley. They’ve taken another major leap by opening Prestonrose Towne Bistro and Mercantile, a farm-to-table restaurant, in nearby Clarksville.
Both businesses are at their heart about providing locally sourced products, directly from farmers to consumers. From rice to salsa or a four-course meal in the restaurant, there is something for everyone at Prestonrose. To fully appreciate how they’ve gotten to this point, the Prestons look back to the early days of what is now known as Prestonrose.
“I’ve always grown things,” Liz says. “But never on a commercial scale. As soon as we moved here, we started planting and selling at farmer’s markets.”
BEVERAGE AND PLATE
THEY NOTICED A NEED for something different. Having lived on both coasts, they were familiar with the thriving craft brewery and farm-to-table scenes – things that were absent from the River Valley. As dreamers who also knew how to get things done, they decided to fill that gap. Liz, who had long been interested in brewing, got to work.
Their initial idea when moving to Arkansas involved a brewery. With her background in biology, Liz found the scientific aspects of brewing to be a natural fit. In 2014, she traveled to Vermont to study at the American Brewers Guild. By 2016, she had developed a product ready to sell, and the brewery quickly became the heart of their operation. It grew so fast that they eventually
A FARM-TO-TABLE EXPERIENCE
stopped selling at farmer’s markets to focus entirely on the brewery, where they offered a unique experience of having a beer at the farm.
The Prestons offer 11 of their own beers on tap, all brewed by Liz, ranging from a rich stout to a hoppy pale ale. The beer stands out because of their commitment to quality and local sourcing.
“We immediately went all in on craft malt,” Liz explains, noting they're 100% craft malt certified. “This means we only use American-grown grains malted by small malt houses in the U.S.”
The grains are typically sourced within 500 miles of where they’re malted before being delivered to their Paris farm. Some ingredients are even grown on-site, including hops –surprising given the Arkansas climate.
“It's unusual for a brewery to be 100% craft malt,” Liz continues. “Most breweries use about 10% craft malt and 90% commercial, but we felt the difference in taste and quality was worth it. Craft malters have the same direct-tofarmer relationships that we do with other ingredients for our restaurant and mercantile.”
As the brewery took off, the Prestons saw their broader vision coming together. The missing piece was food.
“We opened a small restaurant on the farm to pair with the beer,” Liz says. “We began using ingredients from our farm, as well as from other local farmers. When we can’t produce something ourselves, we source meats, cheeses and vegetables from different regions.”
UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP
VISITORS BEGAN FLOCKING to Prestonrose Farm from all over the state, some driving hundreds of miles to spend a Saturday enjoying the farm’s unique atmosphere. And the Prestons were thinking about how to take their vision further.
That’s when Clarksville
THE BISTRO SIDE OF THE BUSINESS IS A FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANT AND BAR, WITH A ROTATING
“FARM-TOTABLE COMFORT FUSION” MENU
Mayor David Rieder approached them with an idea: to open a Prestonrose experience in downtown Clarksville.
However, the Prestons had one condition before they agreed to expand: they wanted to partner with the University of the Ozarks.
They sought this collaboration because the university is not only an academic institution but also a key player in the local community, with a focus on revitalizing downtown Clarksville.
University of the Ozarks President Richard Dunsworth was more than happy to talk about a partnership with Prestonrose. The university had already partnered with several local
businesses helping them get off the ground, including Kasper’s restaurant and Pressed Ink screen printing, all with the goal of transforming downtown into a vibrant space where students and faculty want to spend time – and even stay after graduation.
“We realized we had a growing number of employees and students commuting from farther and farther outside of Clarksville,” Dunsworth says. “We were hearing things like, ‘There’s never anything to do.’ So, we wondered if we could play a role in providing something for Clarksville that also aligns with our mission. And the resounding answer to that question was yes.
“Our faculty, staff, alumni and families all concluded that what’s good for Clarksville is good for the university.”
The Prestons’ bistro and mercantile is in a historic stone building on Main Street. When Liz and Preston first stepped inside, it had dirt floors and could have been overwhelming to some. But the couple saw a blank slate. Liz drew a map, and the university made it happen.
While the history of the building is not entirely clear, it was a car dealership run by the King family for years. Most recently, it was a muffler shop whose owner is immortalized as the namesake of the Hammer’s Lager, a mainstay brew on the menu. Some say the building was an old farm store at one point, and Preston believes being part of the legacy of the building makes their current operation that much sweeter.
The partnership between the university and the Prestons is part of a larger effort to breathe new life into Clarksville, making it a place where students, locals and visitors can enjoy a vibrant community built around local businesses and culture.
For Dunsworth, the partnership with Prestonrose also holds personal significance. Growing up on a farm in eastern Colorado, he understands the challenges farmers face when trying to bring their products to market.
“When I think about farm-to-table and knowing where your food comes from, it’s personal. When I eat a meal at Prestonrose, I know the food was sourced from local farmers. Many of those families were able to sell a little more locally because of it. It may sound cliché, but I truly believe in shopping local – especially when it comes to food.”
Of course, the closer to home a farmer can sell their product, usually the more dollars go back directly to their pocketbook.
BEYOND FLAVOR
PRESTONROSE TOWNE BISTRO and Mercantile is a unique establishment combining two businesses into one, creating a distinct local experience. The front of the building is home to the mercantile, a storefront known for its selection of over 1,000 locally and regionally sourced products, from milk and artisan cheeses to pickles and locally made hot sauces. These are not only sold in the store, but used in the adjacent kitchen of the Towne Bistro. The mercantile also features a coffee bar, homemade bagel shop and ice-cream shop, where customers can enjoy fresh bagels that rival those from New York City.
Clockwise from top left: Mike Preston prepares roasted peppers; the Clarksville bistro menu is described as "farm-to-table comfort fusion"; Liz Preston checks on produce in the greenhouse; and an employee removes fresh-made rolls from the oven.
The bistro side of the business is a full-service restaurant and bar, with a rotating “farm-to-table comfort fusion” menu. Liz, the self-taught chef, creates dishes using ingredients grown on their farm or sourced locally and sustainably. From Wagyu beef burgers to wonton tacos, the menu is ever-changing, reflecting Liz's love for experimentation and seasonal produce. One month, the menu might feature German-inspired cuisine, while the next, it could be a tribute to island flavors from Haiti and Jamaica, thanks to input from some of their staff.
The Prestons’ commitment to fresh, locally sourced food extends beyond flavor. It’s about connection – whether it’s through dishes featuring fresh peaches from nearby Peach Pickin’ Paradise or meats from Rabbit Ridge Farms in Bee Branch. Every item tells a story of community and care. The constantly evolving menu not only reflects the availability of fresh ingredients, but also Liz's passion for exploring different culinary traditions.
The Prestons recognize that they are pushing boundaries by offering innovative dishes and unfamiliar cuisines to a clientele that may be more accustomed to traditional Southern dining. They aim to maintain the comfort of a familiar mom-and-pop establishment while encouraging customers to try something new, resulting in a dining experience deeply personal and transformative.
Dunsworth has his favorites on the menu.
“She’s got this Wagyu beef burger that’s incredible, and really anything with the bread – because, of course, they bake it fresh,” he says. “One of my favorite appetizers is the roasted shishito peppers, which they grow right on their farm in Paris. And right now, anything with their tomatoes is a hit for me. I had a friend order a pizza the last time we were there – it was a steak margherita pizza with these beautiful tomato slices. My friend couldn’t stop raving about it. She said, ‘This is one of the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten – and I’ve had pizza all over the world.’ It’s truly a worldclass restaurant, smack dab in the middle of little Clarksville, Arkansas."
SYSTEM OF SUSTAINABILITY
THE PRESTONS’ APPROACH to supporting local agriculture revolves around a long-standing debate: Can small farms truly sustain a large community? Liz passionately believes they can, provided there are enough small farms. They both agree that a premium price is justified when customers understand the value of supporting local farms.
For the Prestons, the emphasis is on creating a system where restaurants like theirs contribute to the livelihood of small, local farms. Their restaurant passes along the cost
The Prestons source ingredients locally for their craft beers, their "comfort fusion" menu and on their store shelves.
of local foods to their customers, but they explain that this money stays in the community, supporting the farmers who supply their ingredients. This connection between price, quality and community support is key to making local farming sustainable.
Liz notes the decline of small farms is largely due to people opting for more convenient, often cheaper, alternatives. She tells the story of how locals lament the loss of small dairies and other farming ventures; she points out that revitalizing these operations requires convincing people of the value in locally grown food. When customers learn their meal comes from farms just down the road, it not only enhances their dining experience but also helps build a stronger local economy.
Ultimately, the Prestons focus on education and communication. Preston was the first to admit that they still do some shopping at Walmart and will run through McDonald’s for a breakfast sandwich every now and then. But they want to show the benefits of choosing local, sustainable options without imposing it on anyone. Their philosophy is rooted in making customers see the worth in their food choices and how supporting small farms directly benefits their community.
FARM DREAMS
WHEN IT COMES TO THE FARM, the Prestons have even bigger dreams.
“The big picture is for Prestonrose Farm to become a wedding and event venue, a real destination spot," Preston shares. In the meantime, the farm has reopened five days a week for beer, snacks and community, no full menu, just the atmosphere of the farm with good, cold beer. “The farm will also host special events — St. Patrick’s Day with corned beef and cabbage, Cinco de Mayo with tacos, Father’s Day barbecues, that kind of thing. We do it because our fans love visiting the farm.”
Even though they’re busy running two locations, the farm remains an essential part of the Prestonrose experience.
“We’re still brewing there, and we’re still farming there," Preston says. "The food at the bistro still comes from the farm, and the beer is brewed on-site. The farm is at the heart of what we do.”
For their loyal customers, this connection to the farm adds a special layer to the food and beer, making every visit to both the bistro and the farm an experience worth savoring.
The Prestons understand there’s one thing that can always bring people together: good food. Prestonrose isn’t just a business — it’s the realization of a dream and a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors.
In addition to a brewhouse and greenhouse farming, the Prestons plan to add a wedding and event venue to Prestonrose Farm in Paris.
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County
Farm Bureau Outreach
VIEW FROM THE COUNTIES
HERE IS A QUICK LOOK at some of the actions undertaken by county Farm Bureaus across Arkansas. Their work promoting agriculture in local communities is at the core of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s mission to 1) advocate the interests of agriculture in the public arena; 2) disseminate information concerning the value and importance of agriculture; and 3) provide products and services that improve the quality of life for its members.
Ag Stations
Clarksville kindergarten classes recently experienced Arkansas agriculture on a field trip to the Johnson County Fair. The Johnson County Women’s Leadership Committee collaborated with the Johnson County Extension/4-H, local FFA members and the Johnson County Junior Fair Board to set up stations for students to visit. The stations included poultry and rabbits; a germination station; sheep, goats and hogs; a corn pit and cow simulator; “Ask Me about My Animal;” and cattle.
Baxter County Fair
Baxter County Farm Bureau wrapped up the 2024 county fair by sponsoring 20 belt buckles for winners, donating more than $1,300 in premium money and providing 140 fair shirts for exhibitors.
Book Barn
Ag in the Columbia County Classroom
Columbia County Farm Bureau board member Lindsey Holtzclaw recently brought Ag in the Classroom to life, visiting a local classroom and teaching young children about the vital role bees play in agriculture. She read a fun book about honeybees, let students sample honey, showed off her beekeeping gear and did a hands-on pollination activity using Cheeto dust. To cap the day, students enjoyed a bee-themed snack.
a new Arkansas
Clark County Fair
Beatrice the Bureau Cow was recently on the move at the Clark County Fair, supporting local ag and educating attendees on agriculture. Beatrice was at the show arena at the annual Clark County 4H Petting Zoo, where she fed “Rocky” the dairy cow his morning bottle while some of the other team members taught attendees how to properly milk the Farm Bureau dairy cow.
Conway County Farm Bureau Agency Manager Jonathan Higgins (left) and Agent John Widner (right) recently delivered
Farm Bureau book barn to Conway County Library Outreach Coordinator Alexis Scroggins.
Grant County Farm Tour
Recently, Marks and Hannah Mitchell hosted the Sheridan Yellowjackets and their friends from all over the county for a farm tour. During the tour, the Mitchell family shared some insight into their commercial poultry program.
Backpack Program Donation
Snack Stick Donation
Committee,
Lincoln County Farm Bureau Agency Manager Shane Davis (left) and President Keith Shepherd (right) recently delivered 1,000 snack sticks to Star City School District Superintendent Jordan Frizzell. This donation was made possible through the Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry Snack Stick Program and will assist with their backpack feeding programs.
Jamie Carter (right), a member of the Lonoke County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership
recently presented a $1,500 check to Emily Shaw of Carlisle Elementary School for their backpack feeding program.
SETTING A STANDARD
Arkansas Farm Bureau Recognizes 2024 Top Young Farmers & Ranchers
While the average age of farmers in the U.S. is 58, Arkansas Farm Bureau must continue to find ways to invest in the future of agriculture.
The ArFB Young Farmers and Ranchers program is dedicated to providing opportunities for young men and women to participate in county and state Farm Bureau organizations and events, while supporting their active roles in the agriculture industry. The program is open to those ages 18-35, providing them a space to surface, grow and develop as young Farm Bureau members, and allowing them opportunities and experiences to strengthen their leadership skills and ensure effective Farm Bureaus that will last for generations to come.
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD THE STORYS
JUSTIN AND LAYCEE STORY were named the winners of the YF&R Achievement Award. The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers in Arkansas who have excelled in their farming/ranching operations and exhibited outstanding leadership abilities. The award is designed for an individual or couple involved in full-time production agriculture with a majority of their income subject to normal production risks.
The Achievement Award is sponsored by the Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Company, and the Storys received a $35,000 prize and a trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio, where they will compete for the national award.
The Storys moved to Arkansas from Florida in 2021 after inheriting part of their farm in western Scott County. They have become a strong part of the local ag community. They
While YF&R provides many opportunities for young agriculturalists, those who stand out above the rest would be the YF&R Achievement Award and Excellence in Agriculture Award recipients. Each year, YF&R members from across the state apply for the awards, which honor the general excellence of these young members’ operations, as well as their hard work and innovation.
This year, Justin and Laycee Story of Cauthron (Scott County) and Hannah Walker of Henderson (Baxter County) earned these prestigious titles and were announced as winners during ArFB’s annual Officers & Leaders Conference at the Red Wolf Convention Center in Jonesboro.
run a beef cattle and hair sheep operation and a liquid feed business. Justin also works part-time for other cattlemen in the area.
“An average day here on the farm, it’s hard to say what that looks like,” said Justin. “It seems like every day there’s something new, but here lately it’s been clearing the property. That’s kind of the norm. Other than that, it would be putting up cattle that get out, which I know my neighbors appreciate, patching fences, feeding cattle – your typical farm stuff.”
“For me, it’s getting up and homeschooling the kids and making sure all of the things are done that are needed to keep the family going,” added Laycee. “We may do schoolwork and then go check cows, make sure everything is running smooth, help Justin with whatever he may need and then we all have some chores to do too.”
The Storys have three children, Kary (12), Burl (11) and Ola (9), who help on the farm, and they have all spent the past three years working to expand and improve what they
Justin and Laycee Story, and their children, Kary, Burl and Ola, are the ArFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award winners.
Family WORKS
inherited and make their mark on the industry here in Arkansas.
“The biggest challenge has been getting the place back in production,” said Justin. “I say challenge, but we enjoy it. Cleaning the place back up, making something useful out of it. The challenge is that it’s really expensive to make these improvements, but it’s very rewarding to see – just the growth and the change in the place, the grass coming back, the cattle and sheep healthy.”
That reward has not come without its share of sweat equity as well. The Storys purchased heavy equipment to continue their work on clearing the land and returning it to a flourishing farm after it had sat dormant and overgrown. In addition to removing overgrowth and poor timber, they now focus on regenerating and working with the land to grow a solid foundation for their operation.
“You know a good cowman has got to be a grass farmer. I guess when I was younger, I knew cattle, that's what I wanted to do for a living. But I've kind of grown to love the forage end of it maybe more than the cattle,” said Justin. “Taking care of the ground, it'll give you what you put in it, and I believe that 100%. Ideally, though, we would like to have our fences set up so we could eventually rotate the cattle and then the sheep onto pasture behind the cattle. The forage work, the sheep, the cattle … they all just really complement each other.”
As they look to the future, the Storys hope to continue to improve their operation with some of those goals in mind, and now, with the confidence of winning the YF&R Achievement Award.
“Still being fairly new to the state, winning this award is reassurance that our operation is going in the right direction,” said Justin. “With a lot of room left to grow and improve, I hope that we can take the lessons learned from this experience and our connections made through Arkansas Farm Bureau to better our operation.”
Due to their work on their Scott County farm, the Story family received a $35,000 prize and a trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio to compete for a national award.
EXCELLENCE IN AG AWARD
HANNAH WALKER
HANNAH WALKER RECEIVED the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of individuals or couples who earn the majority of their income through off-farm efforts, but who are involved in farming and Arkansas Farm Bureau.
Contestants are evaluated on their understanding of agricultural issues, as well as leadership, achievements and involvement in Arkansas Farm Bureau and other organizations.
The Excellence in Agriculture Award is sponsored by Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas.
Hannah received an $11,000 prize and a trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention to compete for the national award.
Hannah and her husband Cody run a cow-calf operation near Mountain Home. On weekdays, Hannah works in the Mountain Home School District, and on the weekends, she and Cody operate County Line Beef LLC, a direct-to-consumer beef operation.
“I always knew I wanted to have either an occupation or continue the family farm,” said Hannah. “Utilizing my agriculture background to look at the future for our farm, whether that be in my community as an individual or a farmer and now a business owner. I knew that agriculture was going to be in my life.”
Hannah’s passion for agriculture has held strong, even with her current career, giving her the drive to launch her most recent venture. The Walkers have about 30 pairs in a cow-calf operation, primarily focusing on incorporating Red Angus genetics. In early 2024, they took the leap and launched County Line Beef.
Hannah Walker, pictured with husband Cody and children Claire and Charlie, won the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award.
Family WORKS
“It’s a farm-to-table experience for retail beef,” said Hannah. “We really didn't know what kind of animal that we were getting into until we started really promoting and advertising our products and realizing that the need was even more than what we had originally thought.
“We spend each Saturday, for the most part, at our farmers market here in Mountain Home. We have a stand, and we bring a freezer on site where we are able to sell our select cuts and prime cuts of meat, and we have ground beef – you know, all the typical cuts and the other specialties – available for consumers to purchase.”
Not only do Hannah and her family sell beef, they look to be the face of agriculture in their community, utilizing their business to educate others about agriculture and where their food comes from.
“We’re able to utilize our business venture to better educate our community as far as where their beef comes from and how it's sourced,” said Hannah. “People are wanting to know what they're consuming.”
In addition to their community investment, Hannah recognizes the time invested with her husband Cody and their two children, Claire (7) and Charlie (5), also play a part in the future of their operation and agriculture as a whole. Hannah said the kids contribute with tasks like preparing
vaccines for cattle and assisting with moving the herd.
Despite the investment and buy-in from her family, farming hasn’t come without its challenges, Hannah said, citing the increasing regulations by the county and state.
“We are looking at how can we develop those 25 acres to better the business venture and then utilize the 120 acres that we have – our family’s Century Farm – for the cow-calf operation,” she said. “We're trying to figure out how we're going to keep the trend going forward and keep the business going forward too.”
Looking at the future, Hannah sees new opportunities and a furthering of her passion for the industry she loves.
Both the Storys and Hannah will travel to San Antonio in January 2025 to compete in their respective contests at the American Farm Bureau Convention.
Each winner is a testament to the future of agriculture and the caliber of young farmers and ranchers throughout Arkansas.
Due to Hannah Walker's farm work near Mountain Home, she received an $11,000 prize and a trip to the American Farm Bureau Convention.
GROWING THE FUTURE
Farm Bureau scholarships kick-start opportunities
Japhanie Gray, news anchor for KSAT, an ABC affiliate in San Antonio, Texas, was a 2014 Arkansas Farm Bureau scholarship recipient.
Story by SHAYLEE WALLACE BARBER
Opportunity KNOCKS
Since 1935, Arkansas Farm Bureau has been at the forefront of the issues that matter to farmers and rural Arkansans. As a grassroots organization, ArFB has maintained a presence of influence and support across the state for nearly 90 years.
One of those forms of support includes scholarships.
Helping people learn and understand more about the state’s largest industry from the field to the table is important. After all, whether living on a farm or in the city, in a rural community or an urban center, agriculture is important to everyone.
Educating people about agriculture is at the core of ArFB’s mission. From Ag in the Classroom programs and curriculum for K-12 classes to college scholarships, education is part
IN-STATE SCHOOLS
IN ADDITION TO THE COUNTY Farm Bureau scholarships, the Arkansas Farm Bureau Scholarship Foundation exists to provide scholarships to children and grandchildren of Farm Bureau members who are pursuing studies in agriculture at an accredited Arkansas university. The ArFB Scholarship Foundation committee named 13 recipients for the $7,000 Farm Bureau scholarships in the 2024-25 school year.
Scholarship recipients are Arkansas residents, members of a Farm Bureau family and enrolled as juniors or seniors in pursuit of an agriculture-related degree at a state-accredited university.
Taylor Hoover is a junior with a double major studying agriculture economics and pre-law at Arkansas State University. She works with her collegiate Farm Bureau and served as an ArFB intern in 2023. She said the ArFB Foundation scholarship allows her to pursue her goals.
“I’m beyond grateful to the Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation for believing in me and investing in my education,” said Hoover. “With this scholarship, I am provided financial support to continue pursuing educational opportunities to achieve my goal of reaching rural agriculture through policy and legal advocacy.”
Alongside these larger scholarships exist two more specific opportunities: the Romeo E. Short Scholarship Foundation and the Marvin Vines Scholarship.
Established in 1955, the Romeo E. Short Scholarship Foundation funds ag scholarships within the Dale Bumpers
of the organization’s grassroots policy and is important to members from all walks of life.
Each year, the ArFB and county Farm Bureau scholarship programs provide more than $160,000 in scholarship funding to students across the Natural State. There are four different scholarship opportunities for students, including the Romeo E. Short scholarship, the Marvin Vines scholarship, county Farm Bureau scholarships and scholarships for Arkansas Farm Bureau members, their children and grandchildren.
Many county Farm Bureaus offer Arkansas college scholarship opportunities. For instance, Arkansas County Farm Bureau has awarded $164,800 in student scholarships over the last 24 years, and president Wes Long said these scholarships play a role in supporting their communities.
“WITH THIS SCHOLARSHIP, I AM PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO CONTINUE PURSUING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ACHIEVE MY GOAL OF REACHING RURAL AGRICULTURE THROUGH POLICY AND LEGAL ADVOCACY.”
—Taylor Hoover, Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship recipient
College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas. To be considered for this award, students must complete the Bumpers College Scholarship application by Feb. 15.
Romeo E. Short served as the second president of Arkansas Farm Bureau (1936-48) and as vice president
Opportunity KNOCKS
of the American Farm Bureau. He also served as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1953. With Short's rich history in Arkansas, and the agricultural industry as a whole, it’s no surprise that his long-standing scholarship foundation has had a lasting impact on students.
SPECIALIZED SCHOLARSHIPS
JESSICA WESSON WAS AWARDED a Romeo E. Short scholarship. She completed a master's degree in 2022 at the University of Arkansas in agricultural and extension education.
Immediately after graduation, Wesson became communications manager for UA’s Department of Poultry Science and the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science. She is also a freelance photographer, designer and writer.
"The Romeo E. Short scholarship was more than just money to pay for my college education,” said Wesson. “Because of this scholarship and others like it, I was able to graduate debt-free. I was able to focus on my studies, extracurricular activities and internships rather than worrying about paying for tuition or living expenses. This allowed me to be a well-rounded professional by the time I graduated and encouraged me to go into graduate school."
Arkansas Farm Bureau endows the Marvin Vines Memorial Scholarship, which honors the memory of Marvin Vines, farm director for more than 25 years at Little Rock radio station KAAY. Since 1980, it’s been awarded annually to a broadcast major at Arkansas State University. While this scholarship is more specialized than others from ArFB, it has afforded many students the opportunity to enter their field of choice, like Japhanie Gray, who graduated in 2015 from ASU.
When Gray received her scholarship in 2014, she aspired to use her broadcast skills for others. Today, she is fulfilling her dream as an anchor for ABC’s KSAT 12 in San Antonio, Texas. Gray’s journey proves the impact of ArFB scholarships.
"Sometimes, when you have a plan in life, the good Lord comes in and redirects your path. After being in this news industry, working several different positions within the newsroom for several years now, I am not a host – but a morning anchor for the No. 1 station in San Antonio,” said Gray. “In this role, it has been my mission to not only fight for fact-based, old-school journalism, but also to be a voice of the voiceless for different communities I'm blessed to be a
"DURING MY TIME IN COLLEGE, I WAS ABLE TO FOCUS ON MY STUDIES, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND INTERNSHIPS RATHER THAN WORRYING ABOUT PAYING FOR TUITION OR LIVING EXPENSES. THIS ALLOWED ME TO BE A WELL-ROUNDED PROFESSIONAL BY THE TIME I GRADUATED.”
part of. Shining a light on the good in the community – even during not-so-good news cycles – has always and will always be a passion of mine. That passion alone is proof to me that God has me exactly where he wants me in this chapter of life."
The legacy and foundation of ArFB scholarships is rooted deep in the history of the organization. Today, ArFB continues to support the future generations of students who will influence not only agriculture and rural communities, but the world. Through education and community investment, ArFB and the grassroots communities it serves will ensure there are future leaders to help people understand the impact and necessity of agriculture.
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ArFB SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
—Jessica Wesson, Romeo E. Short scholarship recipient
For your HEALTH
INTRODUCING FARM BUREAU
HEALTH PLANS OF ARKANSAS
Farm Bureau's mission has always been to serve the people of Arkansas by addressing their needs with practical, cost-effective solutions. Staying true to this commitment, we are proud to offer Farm Bureau Health Plans of Arkansas, a health care option designed to provide affordable, accessible health coverage tailored to fit your unique needs. With health care costs continuing to rise and the complexities of navigating insurance growing each year, many are searching for a flexible and budget-friendly alternative to traditional Affordable Care Act insurance. Farm Bureau Health Plans provides just that — a comprehensive, customizable alternative that better fits your budget, your needs and your life.
BACKED BY TRUSTED EXPERTISE
ONE OF THE KEY ASPECTS that sets Farm Bureau plans apart is the collaboration with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, a name that has been synonymous with trust and reliability in health care for decades. Arkansas Blue Cross administers the plans and manages the medical underwriting, ensuring every member receives the quality care and coverage they deserve.
WHY CHOOSE FARM BUREAU HEALTH PLANS OF ARKANSAS?
Affordable and Predictable Costs: Farm Bureau plans are designed to keep health care expenses manageable. With consistent copays, affordable monthly premiums and custom benefits, members can easily predict and manage their health care costs. You won’t be surprised by unexpected bills or fluctuating rates.
Arkansas Farm Bureau is partnering with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield to administer and underwrite health plans for its members.
Year-Round Enrollment: Unlike ACA insurance, which typically requires enrollment during a specific period each year, these plans offer year-round enrollment. This means you can join at any time, ensuring that whenever your life circumstances change, you have access to the coverage you need.
Comprehensive Benefits: Farm Bureau health plans cover a wide range of medical needs, including prescription drug coverage, routine care and protection against high costs from unexpected illnesses or accidents. Whether you need coverage for regular doctor visits, prescription medications or more extensive medical services, these plans are built to offer complete care.
PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE AND ONGOING SUPPORT
WE UNDERSTAND that health care is not a one-size-fitsall solution, especially here in Arkansas. That's why we offer personalized guidance tailored to the unique needs of our communities. With nearly 100 offices across the state, our experienced agents are just a local call away, ready to provide one-on-one support. We’ll help you navigate the plan options, explain the details and ensure you fully understand the benefits available to you and your family.
This level of personal service doesn’t stop once you’ve enrolled. Ongoing support is crucial to maintaining confidence in your health care plan. Farm Bureau is committed to assisting you throughout the life of your plan — whether it's answering
questions, providing local resources or helping you adjust your coverage as your needs change over time.
A PLAN THAT GROWS WITH YOU
LIFE IS FULL OF
CHANGES,
and your health care plan should be flexible enough to keep up. Our plans offer customizable options, allowing you to select the coverage that best meets your evolving needs. Our plans adjust with you, providing the coverage you need at every stage of life.
For those who may have found traditional ACA plans restrictive or costly, this flexibility is a game-changer. The plans aren’t bound by federal mandates, giving you more control over your health care decisions while still offering the security of comprehensive coverage.
HOW TO LEARN MORE
TO FIND OUT MORE contact your local Arkansas Farm Bureau agent.
Agents are ready to assist you with personalized recommendations and guide you through the enrollment process. To locate an agent near you, visit arfbhealthplans.com or call (888) 544-7474.
TASTE ARKANSAS
Taste Arkansas
Roasted Hatch Green Chile Sauce Recipe
AFTER READING THE COVER STORY for this issue, we were so excited to try some of the amazing things available at Prestonrose. We asked Liz Preston to pick one of her favorite recipes to share with our readers. So, in her words written just for Front Porch, she offered up this tantalizing Roasted Hatch Green Chile Sauce. This sauce can be used for a number of things, but we like it best as an enchilada sauce. It’s also great on eggs, burritos or even thinned out with broth as a soup or stew base. It’s pretty important to me to start with fresh chile and roast it ourselves. There’s just nothing like the flavor. Use cans at your own risk. This is also a great sauce to make in large batches and freeze.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 12-15 Hatch, Anaheim or other similar thick-fleshed, medium-heat peppers (poblanos work, but have a different flavor)
• 6-8 tomatoes, cut in half
• 3-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 qt water for broth
• 1 qt half-and-half (you can use any milk, including plant-based)
• Olive oil for sautéing
• ½ cup flour (use cornstarch for gluten free)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Herbs like cilantro, chives, oregano and parsley are also nice additions
INSTRUCTIONS
ROAST & PEEL
There are a few ways to roast a pepper. You can use a barrel roaster, an open fire, BBQ grill, home stovetop, etc., as long as the chile skins can sit very close to a flame. Roast your chiles, turning them to blister all sides (but don’t leave on fire too long – you’re not trying to fully cook them, just burning the skin off). Then quickly seal them up in a zipped plastic
bag or sealed container. This will steam them and make it very easy to peel the skins. Let sit for at least 30 minutes, then run them under cold water while you slip the skin off. Don’t fret if you leave a few chunks of charred skin behind; that adds character to your sauce. While you’re peeling, pull the stems off and rinse most of the seeds out. Chop the peppers into half-inch dices.
SAUTÉ & SLURRY
In a medium saucepan, sauté the onions in olive oil until they’re translucent and beginning to brown. Add the peppers and minced garlic. Sauté for another minute, then add 1 quart of water and your halved tomatoes. Bring to a boil, and the tomato skins should loosen. Using tongs, grab the tomato skins out and continue to simmer. Add salt, pepper and spices. Simmer this until the tomatoes are soft and you can squish them into smaller bits. In the meantime, prepare a slurry with your flour or starch and about a cup of water. Once you’ve got a nice broth going, bring it back to a boil and mix in the slurry. It should start to thicken pretty fast. Lower heat to medium, add your half-and-half and continue to cook until the sauce is your desired thickness. Be sure to keep tasting along the way to be sure the seasoning is to your liking. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can puree at this point. I like to see the peppers and veggies, so I leave it chunky. Now you’re ready to create creamy green chile goodness in whatever form you dream up. Bon appetit!
Liz Preston uses fresh chiles from her farm in Paris to make roasted hatch green chili sauce.
DELTA CHILD
LUCKY GIRLS
By TALYA TATE BOERNER
Ihad just turned 14 when Daddy drove a bright yellow 1975 Corvette home and parked it on the gravel driveway behind Momma’s car. When he said it was for me, I was stunned, speechless and truly worried that Daddy had lost his mind.
A car? For me? And not just any car – a Corvette!
I didn’t yet have a learner’s permit, nor was I confident about passing the driving exam looming in my future. My driving instructor (Momma) reacted dramatically throughout each driving lesson. She slammed her foot into the floorboard every time I pressed the brake. When I was behind the wheel, she sometimes clenched the passenger door handle with white knuckles like she might fling open the door and perform a “Starsky & Hutch” safety roll into the shallow ditch beside the soybean field. In my defense, turnrow driving was a bit tricky. It’s not like stop signs, yellow lines or a speed limit were posted.
But wow! A Corvette parked in the driveway changed my entire outlook on life. Having wheels meant independence and freedom to travel. Momma might not have been a fan of my driving, but obviously, Daddy had plenty of confidence in my ability.
Still, though – a Corvette?
Yes, I’d heard that men of a certain age sometimes went a little nuts and did odd things to cling to their youth. But if a midlife crisis motivated Daddy’s unexpected purchase, I was all for it. She was a real beauty with T-tops, caramel-colored leather seats and a shiny chrome luggage rack on the back – the perfect size for my pink Samsonite! I imagined driving south on the interstate to Memphis with my sidekick sister riding along.
Life was incredible.
Being a highly skilled driver quickly became my No. 1 priority. Behind the wheel of the yellow Corvette, my driving lessons soon upgraded from the dusty turnrows of Mississippi County to recently repaved Highway 181. Even Momma had agreed that such a low-to-the-ground vehicle shouldn’t be subjected to tractor ruts.
On a hot August afternoon, I passed the written portion of the driver’s test on the first try. Despite a case of nerves, I successfully drove the streets of Osceola and parallel parked in front of the courthouse with Sheriff Meadows riding shotgun. He was a large man who barely fit into the passenger seat, but I could tell by his banana-wide grin how much he enjoyed his job that day.
Not long after, Daddy peeled a $10 bill from his wallet and handed it to me. “Go get me a carton of cigarettes at the store in Cottonwood Corner.”
“Can I take the Corvette?” I tried to appear unruffled even as exhilaration bubbled.
“Yeah. But bring back my change.”
I shoved the $10 deep into my cutoffs, slipped on my Dr. Scholl’s and clomped outside with my shoulder bag swinging. I found my sister in the front yard practicing her cartwheels.
“Daddy needs cigarettes, and he said we could take the Corvette.”
“Without Momma?”
I shrugged. “He didn’t mention her, so yeah.”
We removed the heavy T-tops and slid onto the buttery-soft seats. Gravel crunched beneath the tires as I backed down the long drive and turned wide around the rose bush. Pulling onto the highway, the familiar bump onto smooth asphalt somehow felt different.
“How does it drive?” my sister asked with glittery eyes. She would begin turnrow driving lessons in three years. Maybe I would be her teacher.
“Amazing.” The wind whipped our hair as an 18-wheeler rumbled by. We waved at the driver.
The old country store was only two short miles from our house, but after parking and turning off the engine, we sat in the car and marveled at how far we had come. It was our first time going anywhere without an adult driver. And even though technically my permit didn’t allow me full driving privileges, and Momma would have a hissy when we got home, I wasn’t worried. Daddy's instruction trumped everything.
I was finally a grownup.
“A carton of Camels, please.” I smacked the $10 bill on the scarred countertop.
“Filtered?” the man asked.
“Unfiltered. And two Blow Pops, too.”
He plucked two suckers from a box and pressed a few keys on the cash register. “You Thomas Tate’s girls?”
“Yes, sir,” we said in unison, proud of things we didn’t yet understand.
“Lucky girls,” he said and handed me Daddy’s change.
We thanked the man and walked outside feeling taller, braver and transformed.
Now, you might wonder if we drove straight back home or enjoyed a quick joy ride through town. Or you might imagine Officer Meadows happened to be driving through Cottonwood Corner just in time to see us walking out of the store with a carton of Camels in hand and without a fully licensed driver. Or you might recognize the rules in the country have always been a bit relaxed, back then anyway.
I'll end this story by saying I could write a novel detailing my Corvette adventures. And on that fall afternoon, when I was not quite 15, a cherry Blow Pop never tasted sweeter.
Talya Tate Boerner, a fourth-generation Arkansas farm girl, has been published in Arkansas Review, Ponder Review and Writer’s Digest.
