HELPING FARMERS, HELPING YOU
with Warren Carter ARFB EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
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here are some things that can’t be put on hold. This year has seen a lot of postponements and cancellations, from summer movie blockbusters and major sporting events, all the way down to community festivals, business meetings and family gatherings. These decisions are the cost of efforts to keep the COVID-19 outbreak under control, however there are cases in which the show must go on, even if it means making some changes to the production. In my last column, I pointed out that Arkansas farmers and ranchers continued their essential work to feed our country despite the emerging pandemic and other challenges of this stressful year. I also highlighted the ways that Arkansas Farm Bureau was continuing its mission to support agriculture and all of those across the state who work in our state’s largest industry. Since then, we’ve continued to adapt and make the necessary adjustments to accomplish our goals, and we’ve been very successful, despite the circumstances. Most recently, we held our annual Officers & Leaders Conference “virtually,” for the first time in its 72-year history. Hundreds of viewers heard from our board leaders and Gov. Asa Hutchinson via live video stream and hundreds more visited the official Officers & Leaders website, which hosted more than eight hours of informative video on a variety of important topics, such as feral hogs, H-2A employment and ballot initiatives. We were also able to continue our tradition of recognizing the top Young Farmers & Ranchers in the state, thanks to video submissions and a livestreamed awards announcement. Now, these talented and hard-working young men and women will represent Arkansas at the national level, even if the American Farm Bureau must hold its January convention virtually as well.
Meanwhile, our membership held steady, even growing in recent months as we continued our work to identify new, exciting and useful benefits for our members and to highlight the many ways our low annual membership fee supports important education efforts, community outreach and farmers and ranchers throughout the state. As we approach the end of summer, we will carry out one of our most important functions as a grassroots organization: forming our official policy for the coming year. Like many things in 2020, the process may look a little different than in the past, but it will happen. Taking advantage of what we’ve learned from Officers & Leaders, we will plan safe, distanced and appropriate meetings. We will use virtual elements when necessary and adhere to all recommended state guidelines. Most importantly, we will – as we do each year – hear the key concerns and needs of our county leaders and members and we will use this to once again build the policy that will guide our efforts throughout the coming year, no matter what unexpected challenges my arise. We have moved carefully in returning to normal business operations, even as we’ve made the changes necessary to keep our employees and members safe. As we prepare to enter a new season, we face more uncertainty with a new school year, national and state elections and another harvest. Be it bad weather or the continued spread of coronavirus, there will be more challenges ahead, but we’ve now proven these obstacles can be overcome. Work can be accomplished and goals can be achieved. Food, fiber and shelter remain necessary, and Arkansas Farm Bureau remains committed to those who provide it. Farmers don’t get to put things off until a better year comes around and neither does Arkansas Farm Bureau. Whether we’re standing six feet apart or communicating through video, we will do what needs to be done for Arkansas agriculture. •
Food, fiber and shelter remain necessary, and Arkansas Farm Bureau remains committed to those who provide it.
Front Porch
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ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • SUMMER 2020
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