CONTENT

FARM BUREAU MATTERS with Rich Hillman

ARFB PRESIDENT

In the midst of a historic pandemic – one that will be included in history books in the future – the president of the United States and the governor of Arkansas both confirmed something that is now abundantly obvious: AGRICULTURE is essential to our state and nation.

COVID-19 has shaken the foundation of our country. All of our daily lives have been dramatically changed, altered, disrupted – you can add any adjective here that fits. Leaving politics aside, our Governor and his staff, our legislators, our hero medical workers, and our law enforcement agencies have worked together to keep Arkansas as safe as possible. If you compare us to other states, we all have to be extremely proud to be an Arkansan right now. We will continue to pray for all of these brave men and women that are serving this great state.

Probably for the first time since the Depression, or maybe since the rationing policies of World War II, Americans have seen grocery shelves that were not completely stocked and it led to panic buying of certain products. It has caused some to question the stability of our food production system in this country. I want to assure you that we will continue to have enough food for our country. I’d also like to point out that there is perhaps one positive that has come of this situation: The American consumer has become more aware of our great farmers and ranchers and what we do.

With tens of millions of Americans losing their jobs, we have seen the pace of work in our nation change drastically. Our processing plants throughout the food chain are experiencing slowdowns or closings, even as the workers there are declared a part of the essential workforce. Hopefully, they will be back online and back to full speed soon, particularly since President Trump signed an Executive Order to keep them operating. One thing that has not changed is that our farmers and ranchers continue to get up every morning and go to work, taking the necessary precautions, ever mindful that we have crops to grow, animals to raise, and business that has to be done. We will continue to supply the safest, most affordable, most plentiful food and fiber supply on the face of the earth!

During this current pandemic, I can’t help but reflect back to the early days of our organization. Arkansas was in pretty dire circumstances. The Great Depression, a major drought and the daily challenges in agriculture were very daunting, to say the least. The resiliency and dogged determination of the Arkansas farmer and rancher got them through those challenging times. Helping them traverse that tough time was Arkansas Farm Bureau, an organization formed to help not only agriculture, but rural Arkansas.

We will endure and get through our current troubled times. We will have the bumps and bruises, and even a few scares due to COVID-19. Hopefully, you and your families are staying safe, but know that Arkansas Farm Bureau and its great staff will assist all of us through this period. Our team has been displaced from the office, for the most part, and have been working from their homes, but this has not prevented them in doing their jobs. Our social media posts have multiplied to a new level and many of our leaders have helped in that endeavor. The staff has also combed over volumes of new government assistance documents, to help disseminate and explain them to our members. We are continuing to monitor and engage in the high-level discussions about support and aid for our farmers and ranchers.

This is just a small glimpse of the hard work they continue to do for us every day, while keeping themselves and their families safe. To all of them we say, “thank you”.

We have, and we will, make it through. I can’t help but think we will be stronger when this is over. We will be more able as a society, country and world to deal with, not only pandemics, but other global-scale challenges. Before COVID-19 hit, agriculture in Arkansas, and in the U.S. was poised to benefit greatly from hard-fought trade negotiations. Most all segments of the industry were going to profit from these trade deals with our top three trading partners.

New chapters are yet to be written, so stay tuned. Our food chain has been disrupted and it is creating some major problems across our state and nation. Nevertheless, I can assure you that myself, the state board, and our great staff, will continue to monitor, advocate and share all the issues that will affect agriculture and rural Arkansas.

I pray that you keep your families and yourselves safe and healthy. May God bless our farmers and ranchers that feed so many in our state and in this great nation. •

COVID-19 has Shaken the Foundation of Our Country

Front Porch

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

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Included in membership dues

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU OFFICERS:

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

DIRECTORS:

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

EX OFFICIO

Magen Allen, Bismarck Dustin Cowell, Mount Judea Kerry Stiles, Marianna Reed Storey, Marvell

Executive Editor • Steve Eddington Editor • Rob Anderson Contributing Writers • Ken Moore, Gregg Patterson, Ashley Wallace, Keith Sutton

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Front Porch (USPS 019-879) is published quarterly by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation 10720 Kanis Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211 Periodicals Postage paid at Little Rock, AR POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Rhonda Whitley at rhonda.whitley@arfb.com Front Porch • P.O. Box 31 • Little Rock, AR 72203 Please provide membership number Issue #115 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.