Womensnewsletter 4q2013 by Arkansas Farm Bureau

arkansas

farm

bureau

committee comments

merican Farm Bureau’s 95th annual convention was held in San Antonio, Texas Jan. 12-15 with women from all over Arkansas attending, including your state committee. We participated in the American Women’s caucus and helped man the Arkansas booth in the Farm Bureau Showcase promoting Arkansas commodities. The committee received a certificate of recognition for our accomJanice Marsh plishments this chairwoman past year. A highlight of the meeting was learning about the different ag promotion programs from committees across the country and gaining ideas to use back home. It is an honor and privilege to serve as chairwoman of your state committee and I look forward to continuing the work in 2014. I thank all of you for volunteering to serve on your local committees. You are the strength of this organization! Save the date! The statewide Women’s Conference will be March 7-8, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Little Rock. Please try to attend and bring others with you to enjoy the meeting and learn new ways to promote agriculture in your counties. I’m looking forward to working with everyone in the new year.

KEITH SUTTON photo

State committee chairwoman Janice Marsh presents the first place and best of show award to Karen Kirkpatrick of Arkadelphia October 15 at ArFB’s annual rice cooking contest. The rice promotion event is conducted during the State Fair each year. Members of the state committee judge main dish and dessert recipe entries and prizes are awarded in each category.

county activities The following activity summaries were submitted by the county Farm Bureau Women’s Committees:

Arkansas: The committee donated 1,000 rice books to the local museum, helped with the county fair booth, participated in county safety day program and donated $100 to Dana’s House shelter. Baxter: The committee designed and set up a ValuePlus member services display booth at the county annual meeting. The extensive display promoted Farm Bureau’s car seat/ booster seat program, brochures promoting the ValuePlus programs, safety brochures, a 2’ X 3’ benefits poster, Commodity Ag readers, recipes, and other information for our members.

Boone:The committee used photos and

signage at the county fair to promote specialty crops, poultry, beef and other commoditie and displayed incubators for use in Ag in the Classroom poultry programs. The committee also partnered with the local Chamber of Commerce and inserted ag materials and lessons into over 400 goody bags taken to area teachers to stress the awareness of agriculture to elementary students. The committee also participated in Farm Safety Day at the fair where all 4th grade students from six county school districts are given a meal and experience different safety stations throughout the event. The teachers are also given lesson plans for two different ag-related subjects.

Bradley:The committee prepared

a meal for a Hermitage School student who helped Ryan Hicks work his calves for a Young Farmer and Rancher project. The committee also helped YF&R at the Pink Tomato Festival continued on page 2

Forth Quarter 2013 ®

county activities ®

2014 arfb state women’s committee

s your state women’s committee, we are here to be a resource and assist you in your ag promotion activities. Please feel free to contact us at any time. JANICE MARSH chairwoman Woodruff County, District 2 870-731-5660 rmarsh@centurytel.net SHERRY FELTS vice chairwoman Mississippi County, District 1 870-537-4772 sherry.felts@yahoo.com SUE BILLIOT ex-officio Sharp County 870-528-3617 kajunsue@centurytel.net ROBIN WILLIAMS St. Francis County, District 1 870-633-8783 creses528@yahoo.com DANA STEWART White County, District 2 501-278-9132 danadianestewart@gmail.com

VAN BUREN CO. FB photo

In recognition of being selected as not only the Van Buren County Outstanding Ag-in-the-Classroom Teacher of the Year, but the Arkansas Outstanding Agin-the-Classroom Teacher of the Year , our women’s committee hosted a reception for Lori Rooney in the SouthSide (Bee Branch) school cafeteria. The women’s committee served punch, fruit, sweet treats and ice cream. with handouts.

Calhoun: The committee assisted in feeding

the participants of the annual premium sale, parents and Judges at the county fair. The committee also contacted local schools and distributed materials to be used in the coloring contest, poster contest, and essay contest.

ROBIN GOLMAN Baxter County, District 3 870-499-3130 robertafoxtrot@gmail.com

Chicot: The committee sponsored a booth at

ANGELA JONES Sebastian County, District 4 479-462-3369 akjones31@gmail.com SARA LOE Garland County, District 5 501-545-1572 snwasl143@aol.com DONNA BEMIS Pulaski County, District 6 501-897-4931 donna@bemistreefarm.com SONYA HARRELL Caloun County, District 7 870-798-4821 sonya.harrell@ymail.com 2

Carroll: The committee participated in the National Beef Ambassador contest in Springdale and provided snacks including Rice Krispy treats and information about Arkansas’ national ranking in the nation for various commodities. The committee also conducted the coloring book contest “Thank a Farmer” by providing the book “Who Grew My Soup” to K-2 art teachers in Berryville. Committee members also participated in the “Ar Saves” program for Green Forest cafeteria workers and provided attendees with “FAST” magnets, which explain the signs of a stroke. The committee also conducted a Sew with Cotton fashion show at the county fair.

KEN MOORE photo

The Garland Co. FB’s Women’s Committee sponsored a Dutch oven cookoff in Hot Springs Oct. 26. Participants prepared main dish and dessert recipes, and certificates were awarded to the winners. The event was designed to promote agriculture in the county, with recipes featuring locally grown produce and food products.

county fair and displayed the crops that are grown in Arkansas and Chicot county. Committee members also handed out brochures promoting and explaining the ValuePlus member programs. The committee also visited the Dermott Chamber of Commerce and conducted a program about living with diabetes. Committee members discussed meal planning, exercises, and how people should care for their bodies by eating smart.

Clark: The committee prepared and delivered cupcakes to area nursing homes, assisted FCA agents with sew with cotton items to be used in teaching a class, served ice cream and provided soy crayons and dairy coloring books at a milking demonstration. continued on page 4

Baxter (annual convention)

Sevier (art supplies)

C O U N T Y C L O S E - U P S

Newton (poultry club)

Delois Staggs reading to 3rd grade class.

Thanks, Kelly Carpenter Independence County Farm Bureau

file:///C:/Users/120015Autumn/AppData/Local/Temp/notes142542/~

Van Buren (rice mill demonstration)

Van Buren (beef cooking demonstration students)

Independence (book reading) ) 3

county activities The committee also kept the ICU waiting room at the local hospital stocked with healthy snacks, arranged for Matt Jackson to bring the Farm Bureau milk cow to area schools for and Ag in the Classroom program. The committee also had displays on rice and wheat products at the county fair.

Clay: The committee promoted the many uses

of soybeans by conducting a demonstration of making lipgloss and soap from soybeans at a 4-H event. The committee also arranged for the Farm Bureau milk cow and combine simulator to be a part of their exhibit at the county fair. The committee also promoted regional farm products and Farm Bureau member programs by incorporating these items into annual meeting decor and table settings.

Cleburne: The committee assisted with the Farm Bureau booth at the county fair which featured the Farm Bureau milk cow and combine simulator during a special “Kids Day.” The committee also voted to provide t-shirts for Greers Ferry children involved in the Master Gardener program. Columbia: The committee assisted area

youth with sewing for the county Sew with Cotton competition. Members of the committee also assisted 100 children at the Arkansas “Farm to You” seminar, made “Ants on

RMDH photo

Members of the state women’s committee prepared and served dinner to residents of Ronald McDonald House in Little Rock October 15. The meal included classic pot roast, glazed carrots and onions, mashed potatoes with gravy and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Ladies who participated were: (from left) Angela Jones, Robin Williams, Janis Rubio, Peggy Miller, Sherry Felts, Janice Marsh, Meredith Baker and Carole Lichti. Ronald McDonald House is a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. a Log” for a healthy snack and served snacks at a tax seminar at Southern Arkansas University.

Conway: Committee members assisted with

educational booths and exhibits during the county fair. Some of the exhibits contained county grown produce and informational handouts. Committee members also worked with a local art teacher and donated $300 worth of supplies to the intermediate school for art classes and programs. The committee also conducted Ag in the Classroom programs to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students which included the process of seed germination, photosynthesis and took part in handson activities to see germination take place with radish seeds, kidney beans, and rye grass seeds.

SCOTT CO FB photo

Belinda Woodard Wright, a Scott Co. FB Women’s Committee member, is a talented photographer. She recently was honored when some of her photos were used on motivational posters for students at Waldron Middle School. The caption on this “Boot and Spur” photo reads “Respect: Treat others the way you want to be treated.” 4

Craighead: The committee participated in “HOPE WEEK” in Craighead County by assisting with Farm Credit MidSouth’s Pizza Ranch. Committee members arranged for more than 300 first-graders from Brookland and Fox Meadow schools to milk the Farm Bureau cow and gave brief presentations to all in attendance. The committee also conducted its 18th annual rice month kickoff program at a local bank. Over 30 rice dishes were served to bank visitors as part of the rice tasting activity. Bank patrons were treated to many different rice foods along with a copy of the recipes. The county judge signed a proclamation declaring September as Rice Month and committee chair Karie Gibson was interviewed by KAIT-TV about the promotion This information was also available on KAIT’s website with video. The committee also contributed information to the Jonesboro Sun which featured

a full page about September as Rice Month.

Crawford: The committee prepared 500 goodie bags for kids day at the county fair and had five members help with tours. The committee set up a booth to promote ValuePlus member programs, had photos of the Fun on the Farm activity which it conducted at Alma, Mulberry and Mountainburg. The committee also arranged for a beekeeper, milk cow, beef cows, chickens, horses, sheep, goats and the strawberry patch at the fair as well. Committee members donated Fun on the Farm coloring books and soybean crayons to the Alma Head Start Cross: Miss Cross County Rice was selected as Miss Arkansas Rice at the annual competition in August. Afterward members of the committee arranged for her to attend Cherry Fest and speak at several county Farm Bureau annual meetings. Members of the committee also distributed coloring books to Cross County primary school and presented Outdoor Classroom Garden Grant checks to Cross County School and Wynne Intermediate School. Dallas: The committee sponsored a Farm

Bureau booth at the county fair and conducted a poster, coloring book, and essay contest at Fordyce and Sparkman schools. The committee presented awards for each division. The committee also sponsored and promoted safety programs at the schools. The committee also participated in the local Angel Tree Program. continued on page 5

county activities Drew: The committee conducted a contest at

the county fair featuring different types of grains. If children could identify what they were they were given a treat. The committee also presented eight copies of the cookbook, THE GARDEN CHEF, to the Monticello Middle School. The committee also presented to the county board the nutritionist and gardener responsible for the garden project at the Monticello School District. A $1,000 donation was presented by the committee to continue this project.

Faulkner: The committee helped Greenbrier

Eastside Elementary school establish an outdoor classroom garden through the Farm Bureau garden grant program. The committee also arranged for the Farm Bureau combine simulator to be at the county fair as part of the Farm Bureau exhibit. Members of the committee conducted gardening programs at Greenbrier Eastside and Wooster Elementary schools. A member of the committee spoke to a local Kiwanis club about agritourism in Faulkner County.

Fulton: The committee set up a Farmer for a Day

display at the county fair. This included the Farm Bureau milk cow. Students from Viola kindergarten through third grade and local area daycare were invited. The county fair booth also featured a display on the importance of a proper diet in controlling high blood pressure.

Garland: The committee was very active

during the period. Programs included: A Dutch Oven Cook-off. Proceeds benefited Garland County youth Agriculture programs. Participants obtained extra points for including locally grown foods in their recipes. It attracted approximately 28 participants; Two committee members, a board member and our YF&R chair spent a week in Illinois touring farms and working on service projects. Their largest project was the construction of a Quonset Hut which is beneficial for hay and equipment storage preventing roof cave ins from heavy snowfall; the committee was also very involved in the county fair including conducting a petting zoo and the women explained to the children how each animal benefits us. Committee members also volunteered to help with the livestock show this year.

Grant:The committee conducted a Sew with Cotton contest at the county annual meeting. Committee members also participated in the Farm Bureau booth at the county fair, conducted a series of local nutritional programs for senior citizens and craft workshops for 4-H and youth clubs in the county. Greene:The committee conducted a coloring

book and essay contest for local students; an incubator program at Greene Co. Tech; arranged for a bicycle safety program for area 3rd graders in addition to a drinking

CLAY CO. FB photo

Clay Co. FB Women’s Committee member Debbie Pollard (left) presented prizes to Piggott Elementary sixth graders (left to right) Destiny Robinson, Jawslyn Gates and Chloe Baker who were winners in the county’s “Thank a Farmer” poster contest.

and driving and distracted driving prevention program to be conducted by Farm Bureau safety coordinators for area 9th grade students, plus a program on Internet Safety for 7th grade students.

Hempstead: The committee assisted with a non-perishable food drive for the local food bank. Howard: The committee provided a booth

during the county fair. Informational, safety, and kidfriendly brochures were available to all fair patrons. The committee also sponsored and served a breakfast to all the Junior Livestock Exhibitors. The committee also assisted during the annual Howard County Farm Bureau Dinner.

Independence: The committee sponsored the county Sew with Cotton contest. The committee provided judges, snacks, and gift certificates for the winners. The committee also conducted a workshop on “What Do You Do With Oats?” and provided tips and recipes for using oats as a whole grain in your diet. The committee also read books to local kindergarten classes. Committee members provided each child with 800 rice samples and the recipe book “Kids Cooking in the Kitchen.” Each class received pamphlets and brocolli, apples, peaches, cabbage, and squash.These went in the Farm Bureau bags that students took home and read the stories with their parents. Committee members read the book, “Who Grew My Soup?” to a preschool class and 28 3rd and 4th grade students. Izard: The committee conducted a “Sew with

Cotton” contest by providing judges and monetary

prizes. The committee also participated in the school art supply program. The committee also donated $50 for “Dreamcatchers Outfitters” - providing opportunities for terminally ill and disabled persons to take part in fishing and hunting expeditions.

Jackson: The committee promoted September

as “Rice month” in a variety of ways: served rice dishes throughout the month at the Newport Hospital, took rice cheese ball to the Lindley healthcare nurses station, delivered rice bag treats to State Police office staff, Newport independent newspaper, and Tuckerman elementary school office staff. The committee also distributed 150 rice coloring sheets and soy crayons to preschool and kindergarden classes in Tuckerman. In addition, the committee had a photo taken with county judge Jeff Phillips proclaiming September as rice month and had a rice tasting party at the court house for county employees.

Lafayette: A member of the committee assisted the County Extension Service in setting-up, logging-in and tracking entries for the Lafayette County Fair exhibits. She also assisted in the judging process. Little River: The committee assisted with a

poster contest at L.F. Henderson middle school, donated money and helped with the fall festival at C.D. Franks elementary school and assisted with the Little River County premium sale in Foreman.

Lonoke: The committee assisted Miss Lonoke continued on page 6 5

county activities County Rice with a booth at the county fair in September. The committee also displayed information about the importance of rice in Lonoke County and handed out nutritious recipes made with rice. The committee donated the books,” Seed, Soil and Sun” to the Lonoke and Carlisle schools in addition to AG Readers to Carlisle Jr High School’s career orientation program.

programs. The committee also made a number of quilts to donate to the county Teen Challenge and Grandma’s House programs. The committee was also very active at the county fair and neighboring fairs serving as judges and helping set up and man booths, etc. Members of the committee also participated in leadership development programs for local youth.

ticipated in the Elementary school Farm Day program.

Miller: Members of the committee worked with

North Logan: Members of the committee

of Hope” project which is developed by the Cooperative Extension Service and Master Gardeners and involves 4-H and local young people. The kids prepared the ground, planted the seeds and harvested the produce. There was a cooking class and demonstrations were prepared with the help of the Home Economist. The young people enjoyed a meal made from their garden and members of the committee sponsored the cooking class. The committee also participated in an educational 4-H day in conjuction with Arkansas Tech University.

the Ag Learning Center in a gun safety program for local children at the Four States Fair Grounds. The committee also met with members of the Gateway Farmers market and with the Texarkana City Beautiful Commission to plan activties for October. Committee members helped commission plant flowers around the courthouse and post office. Committee members also helped prepare lunch for 100 guests and served at the senior citizen day at the Miller County Fair.

helped set up the county Farm Bureau booth at the fair, as well as an educational booth on stroke prevention. The committee received a blue ribbon for this display. Four ladies helped with the judging and four others prepared and served a meal to 60 judges and volunteers.

Ouachita: The committee conducted a

tomato project for members of the Bear Den 4H club. The committee also conducted programs for children including the Kinderphone project and fire safety. The committee also helped with the county fair booth.

Monroe: The committee collected and delivered rice recipes to be published in the local newspaper promoting “Rice Month.” The committee also conducted a “Thank a Farmer” coloring and poster contest at Brinkley and Clarendon elementary schools. A bicycle safety program was conducted at the Brinkley fall festival and, in conjunction with the county extension service, gave away two bicycles at the festival. The committee also donated $200.00 to Brinkley and Clarendon schools for art supplies.

set up the Farm Bureau booth at the county fair with promotional information and membership benefit information. The committee arranged for Farm Bureau’s combine simulator to be a part of the exhibit at the fair.

Newton: Members of the committee developed, supervised and worked on a Poultry promotion display for the District Fair in Harrison and it won the Grand Champion Prize. The committee arranged for safety coordinator Jason Kaufman to present several safety programs at Western Grove schools. These included ATV, highway, machinery, and working with animal

Poinsett: The committee participated in and helped with the annual Arkansas Rice Festival in addition to assisting with the festival’s rice-tasting event. The committee donated the book, “SEED SOIL and SUN” to county elementary school libraries. The ladies also conducted an AITC coloring book contest and awarded local and state winner prizes. The committee also par-

$500

Perry: Members of the committee assisted with

Pike: Members of the committee assisted the county Health Office during the Flu Shot Clinic.

ExcLUsIVE SAVINGS

for fArm BureAu

memBerS

40% oFF carPet

Save Up To

We make it ~ easy ~ to purchase the latest appliances for your home, particularly if you are remodeling or relocating. In addition, you can select and purchase these additional great products for your home:

OFF SELECT Actual Savings TRACTORS & EQUIPMENT

• Craftsman® Garage Storage • Sealy® and Sears-O-Pedic® Mattresses • NordicTrack

Exercise Equipment

• Craftsman® Lawn Tractors ®

0 Upfront

Free

afterActivate $99 instant savings your FREE membership TODAY!

America’s #1 Choice for Satellite Internet

of the past

(888)497-7447 toll free

www.clearvaluehearing.com

FARM BUREAU APPAREL NOW AVAILABLE

Off 20% Hard Surfaces

This unique program from Sears Commercial features — •

A private selection consultation, with a professionally trained specialist

20-25%

• Preferred Affiliate Program Pricing, backed by our Price Matching Plus policy

ACTUAL SAvINGS

• Program and pricing is only available through Sears Commercial Sales

• This offer is not available through Sears retail or dealer stores

Farm Bureau Members are guaranteed Free automatic approval • Kenmore Outdoor Grills, Televisions and more! Statewide network of Professional Audiologists & Specialists Free Hearing Test & Discounts on Hearing Instruments 100% Guaranteed Custom Fit / 60 Day Trial 1 Year FREE Supply of Batteries (1 case per instrument) R

on’t reach

Stroke, Aneurysm osteoporosis ScreenandforHeart Disease. screening 4 Ultrasound Screenings

only $135 for Members

10% discount on Grainger Products

661 TODAY!

Exclusive Members Savings & Offers s represents 10% off monthly service fee.

Save over $2500

booth at the county fair and scheduled several speaking engagements for Miss Prairie County Rice including reading the book, “Good Things from Arkansas” to the Hazen kindergarten class. The committee also donated Rice Krispie treats for Miss Rice to hand out along with copies of the book. The committee also conducted the annual Rice Poster Contest at Hazen and Des Arc schools, donated Rice Council activity books to the Des Arc 4th grade class, donated crayons and coloring books to local 4-H clubs for use at county fair and $400 worth of art supplies for county art teachers.

Pulaski: A member of the committee was a judge for the Envirothon contest regarding forestry, wildlife, soil, and aquatics. Another member of the committee donated $100 to Arkansas Women in Agriculture and attended a workshop presented by the Arkansas Discount Pricing For Farm Bureau Members Only 3 Easy Steps for Farm Bureau Members Step 1: Members simply go to sears.com and find the product(s) they are interested in and write down the product/model number(s).

DepoSiT accoUnTS; creDiT carDS; aUTo anD morTgage loanS

Step 2: Members email the product number(s) to Farm Bureau’s designated contact at Sears Appliance Select : ron.rowe@searshc.com for a quote. To receive this pricing a member must include their Farm Bureau membership number and Farm Bureau discount code CU098430 in the email. Step 3: Members can then use a credit card to purchase the discounted item and it will be delivered via a custom freight company.

Farm Bureau Vehicle Purchase Program

All manufacturer warranties apply with the option to purchase extended Sears Protection Agreements. Installation is not included with delivery.

save up to $2,572 off MSRP

Discount PrescriPtion Drug Program

$25CHild SaFety SeatS $15CHild BOOSter SeatS

For Complete offer details Visit “Member Benefits” at

offers in your area.

Prairie: The committee set up an informational

ATTENTION:

$500

Pope: The committee participated in “The Garden

SAve Participating Arkansas% FarmatBureau off Choice Hotels UP TO Purchase Program

Save up to… FARM BUREAU MEMBERS 20-25%

Polk: The committee conducted a county Sew With Cotton contest, in addition to a coloring book contest, poster and essay contest at all county elementary schools.

www.arfb.com

county activities Cattlemen’s Association. Committee member Kathy Ratcliffe mentored a college student who is entering the Master Gardener Program. Committee members also participated with the Little Maumelle Women’s Extension service in providing turbans for Arkansas Children’s Hospital, attending workshops regarding chemical and food safety.

Scott: The committee planned and conducted a

hands-on ag education program for students at Waldron elementary school at the county fair. It included six stations for the students to learn about poultry, corn, timber, cotton, rice and bee keeping. Committee members at each station gave a demonstration and explained the importance of the different commodities and products we get from them. It included the Farm Bureau rice mill and cotton gin where students got to see how rice and cotton are milled and cleaned. The committee sent home hand outs with each of the 650 students who participated. The committee also arranged a safety program at Mansfield High School where Jason Kaufman conducted sessions on defensive driving, where your food comes from, and skin cancer.

Searcy: The committee donated art supplies to

the Leslie and Marshall Elementary schools. Members of the committee helped work at the local health fair during the flu shot clinics at the local schools and county health office. They also assisted at the county fair by helping enter produce, canned goods, and hand crafted items for judging and working at the Farm Bureau booth.

Sevier: The committee donated pencils and art supplies to area schools. Committee members also helped students in DeQueen schools plant container gardens. They arranged for safety programs for the DeQueen vo-ag classes on tractor and ATV safety. Sharp: The committee donated beef, corn,

forestry and rice Ag Readers to 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th graders at area schools in honor of Ag DAY. Members of the committee discussed the importance of these commodities with the students. Also donated Fun on the Farm coloring books and crayons to the Evening Shade preschool. In addition, the committee conducted internet safety programs for 5th, 6th and 7th grade students at Cave City and Highland Schools and donated “Food Connection” posters to 50 classrooms at area schools.

South Logan: The committee assisted and volunteered at the county fair in a number of ways. This included checking in exhibits and preparing and serving meals for the judges in the home economics building. The committee also sponsored a Sew with Cotton Contest and Style Show. In addition to this, the committee conducted a sewing with cotton lesson with fifth grade gifted and talented students at Booneville 7

Elementary. This included informing them where cotton is grown in Arkansas, products produced from cotton, and helping the students make a lap quilt that was presented to a resident of a local nursing home.

partnered with the YF&R committee to conduct a two day barnyard field trip, “Farmer For A Day” at the county fair for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Approximately 640 students took part.

South Mississippi: The committee bought and donated back packs for 12 students which included snacks that promoted dairy ,rice, beef and fruit. A member of the committee helped judge the rice recipe contest at the state fair and the committee donated rice coloring books to a dental office. The committee also delivered soybean lesson plans for 150 students in addition to soybean, rice, cotton and corn Ag Readers. Committee members also collected and donated aluminum pop tabs for Ronald McDonald house.

Washington:The committee was very

St. Francis: The committee promoted Arkansas commodities at the back to school fair. Handed out rice bags, rice recipes and rice and soybean coloring books and cotton activity pages. The committee also participated in the annual Rice Tasting Luncheon and Cook-Off. The committee had a booth at the county fair and promoted Arkansas commodities with posters and handed out rice samples and recipe cards. Stone: Members of the committee attended the Arkansas Cattlemen’s convention in Fort Smith. The committee also had a booth at the county fair promoting Farm Bureau and local agriculture. The committee sponsored the Stone County Conservation Fishing Derby at Mirror Lake. Union: The committee conducted cooking classes for youth featuring Arkansas products and handed out fruit and vegetable recipes to over 300 people at the El Dorado Health Fair. The committee also set up and manned a promotional booth at county fair for Farm Bureau and three booths promoting swine, turkey, and beef production. The committee conducted a commodities luncheon for 70 superintendents and workers at the fair featuring Arkansas foods. Members also judged the county Sew With Cotton competition and arranged for safety coordinator Amanda Williams to conduct programs on School Bus Safety to Norphlet Elementary and Parkers Chapel Elementary schools. Van Buren: The committee conducted

numerous activities during the period. Among them: Sponsoring a lesson on beef nutrition and cooking methods for the Foods and Nutrition Classes at Shirley, Clinton and South Side (Bee Branch) High School. The committee arrantged for Donette Stump, Arkansas Beef Council program coordinator to lead the activity. She prepared two beef recipes (Popcorn Steak Bites and Beef & Beef Sweet Potato Mash-up) and discussed the various cuts of beef , how to cook them and the nutritional aspects of beef. The committee also

active during the period. Among the programs, the committee conducted a “Thank a Farmer” contest. Committee members purchased $300 worth of art supplies that were donated along with contest rules to four area schools. The committee also promoted activities conducted during the year and agriculture at the county fair. Members set up a “Fun on the Farm” booth, a “Basket Guild” booth and “Farm Bureau” educational booth. The committee also collected egg cartons at the Fayetteville recycling plant to donate to Feed the Hungry in addition to donating clothes to a needy family.

White: The committee participated in a “Day

of Caring,” a community based health program that provides medical, dental, and eye exams to members of the community free of charge. The committee also sponsored a booth at the county fair, “Arkansas Farmers farming for You.” And members participated in a career readiness program at Badger Elementary school.

Woodruff: The committee hosted rice promotion luncheons at banks in the county, assisted with the Rice Expo in Stuttgart and judged rice dishes at the recipe contest at the state fair and Miss Arkansas Rice Contest. The committee donated “Who Grew My Soup” books to the Woodruff County library and Arkansas Day Care Center. The committee also donated art supplies to schools in the county for the Coloring Book, Poster and Essay contest. The committee chair joined in preparing and serving a meal at the Ronald McDonald House in Little Rock. Yell: The committee conducted an embrology program for 3rd grade students at Danville Elementary school. The committee also cooked a meal and served judges and workers during the Yell County Fair. Committee members served around 50 people.

staff contacts Harry Willems, associate director of O&MP, 501228-1247, harry.willems@arfb.com Autumn Wood, O&MP special programs assistant, 501-228-1306, autumn.wood@arfb.com

arfb women’s committee calendar Sun.

Mon.

Tue.

Wed.

Thu.

Fri.

Sat.

January 1

New Year’s Holiday FB Offices Closed

2014 Corn & Grain Sorgham Producer Conference in Dumas

2014 Corn & Grain Sorgham Producer Conference in Jonesboro

February 1

AFBF Convention in San Antonio, TX

20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

ArFB Winter Commodity Division Meetings in North Little Rock

ASU Agribusiness Conference in Jonesboro

Arkansas’ 89th General Assembly Convenes

Valentines Day

Licoln’s Birthday

President’s Day Washington’s Birthday

22 State YF&R Conference in Little Rock

March 1

State YF&R Conference in Little Rock

Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame Luncheon

County President’s Tour to Washington D.C.

State Women’s Conference in Little Rock

Mardi Gras

Ash Wednesday

Daylight Savings Starts

First Day of Spring

St. Patrick’s Day