FARM BUREAU MATTERS
with Rich Hillman
ARFB PRESIDENT
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s far as I know, there is not a formal rule book for living through a PANDEMIC. Better yet there is certainly not an owner’s manual for farming or ranching in one either! But regardless of that, the farmers and ranchers in Arkansas are bravely and resiliently getting it done. Overcoming constant obstacles and challenges has been the norm in our profession since the beginning. Dealing with Mother Nature, international trade, market fluctuations, etc., is just as much a part of our job as planting and harvesting a crop, or taking constant care of livestock. But the cliff-notes on doing all of that during a Pandemic have not been published yet. There have been some glitches in our food chain, but looking at the big picture, Arkansas farmers and ranchers have met the challenges in making sure groceries have been on the shelves in your favorite grocery store. Please keep them in your prayers every time you sit down to eat. We need those prayers now more than ever. In the middle of COVID-19, Arkansas Farm Bureau has taken great efforts to meet its members’ needs. In the case of our recent Officers & Leaders Conference – traditionally the second-largest gathering of the year for the organization – we met in a virtual gathering online. Gov. Asa Hutchinson joined us for the event, which we streamed live online for our county board members and volunteers who, like you, very much want things to return to something akin to normal. Gov. Hutchinson spoke passionately about the people of Arkansas, the value of agriculture to our economic and social wellbeing, and the challenges our state is facing during this trying period. We certainly appreciated the Governor taking valuable time out of his hectic schedule and addressing our members. That evening, we examined ballot issues, we talked about school reopening, we discussed the challenges of a virtual event when rural broadband service in our state is so limited and we planned our next steps in policy development. And while I would consider the virtual event a success, I can say with certainty that I hope we never have to hold a membership gathering in a similar virtual environment in the future. You see, Farm Bureau is not just about a meeting or the pomp and circumstance that goes with it. No, it’s about the fellowship, the friendships, embracing the hugs and handshakes from your fellow farmers who you get to see once or twice a year. Sharing stories about you and your family, and your farm and ranch.
Front Porch
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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • SUMMER 2020
Those interactions with our Farm Bureau friends and staff are irreplaceable. Because we were virtual, we missed that opportunity. But it is our Farm Bureau Family way that has been interrupted, but not stopped. We will look forward, with more anticipation than ever, to gathering in person soon. I want those of you reading this article who are not on the farm and ranch to know that our food supply will continue to be available. Again, there could be some glitches in that chain, but our farmers and ranchers will continue to provide. Consumers are linked to agriculture. Because of this virus, most Americans are more attuned to their food supply and its availability since the Great Depression. That small recognition has to be somehow, someway, a positive for all of us. As are all sectors of business, agriculture is still needing certain assistance from Congress. Arkansas Farm Bureau is still in constant conversation with our delegation in Washington D.C. to make sure they have all the information needed for that help. Our great staff is monitoring all those issues, national and state, and will continue to work for our members. In our nation’s history, it seems like whenever our country has had tough times or tragedies, great leaders have emerged and risen to the top. During this crisis, those leaders have been found in our health care system, the education system, the service industry and many others places as well. Our law enforcement personnel, for example, have had to continue to work every day and get the job done. We applaud all of these groups of men and women who have performed in during this pandemic. To all of elected and public officials, from Gov. Hutchison at the top, to the employees in the Department of Health, we offer a big “thank you” for the leadership in this historic time. As for our farmers and ranchers, we will continue to provide. We will continue to get the job done. We will continue to be resilient and make sure those grocery shelves are full. Like the others I’ve mentioned, our farmers and ranchers will rise to the top to meet the enormous challenges put in front of them each day. As I said in my last address to our members, there is something that is more contagious than this terrible virus. That is HOPE! Hope that comes from our faith. There is no doubt in my mind that hope will get us through these tough times. Please keep yourselves and your families safe, and may God bless our farmers and ranchers who feed so many hungry people. •
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