Governor Sanders declares May as Arkansas Beef Month and Arkansas Egg Month

By Ethan Nahté

On May 18, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined agriculture leaders and industry partners in declaring May as Arkansas Beef Month and Arkansas Egg Month. The proclamations highlight the state’s beef and egg industries and the value that both contribute to Arkansas’s economy.

“Agriculture is our number one industry, and we want to make sure it stays there. We want to continue to be a great partner from the state,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “I’m very happy about the fact that it is Beef and Egg Month and that we get to make that proclamation here today, but most importantly, I can’t tell you how grateful all of us are – every Arkansan – for the men and women who work in our ag community.”

Within each proclamation, it was noted that agriculture is Arkansas’ largest industry, annually contributing over $19 billion to the state’s economy.

Egg production ranks among the top 5 agricultural commodities in cash receipts, valued at $693 million annually. The state annually produces more than 4.15 billion shell eggs and ranks eighth in the nation for egg production and first in the nation for egg exports.

Cattle production occurs in all 75 counties within Arkansas, bringing in over $524 million in cash receipts and ranking in the state’s top eight agricultural commodities. Annually, the state has 866,000 head of beef cattle and 1,630 head of cattle and calves. Arkansas ranks 11th in the nation in beef cow inventory and 17th in the nation in cattle and calves inventory.

“Beef and egg production in Arkansas are great examples of why agriculture is our state’s largest industry, with beef and egg products consistently ranking in Arkansas’s top eight agricultural commodities,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.

“This month is the perfect time to recognize these industries and the dedicated producers who work hard to maintain Arkansas as a national leader in agriculture.”

Representatives from the Natural State Beef Company, Arkansas Beef Council, Cal-Maine Foods, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, Arkansas Farm Bureau, The Poultry Federation, and other agriculture industry stakeholders attended the event.

Photographs from this event can be found at flic.kr/s/aHBqjAEgmo.

The Least Of These Of Mine

Matthew 5 :40, 45

Sometimes in our relationships to other Christians we may easily forget one of the most important things that Jesus ever said in terms of how we relate to brothers and sisters in Christ. Remember that Jesus said, “inasmuch as you do it unto one of these of mine you do it also to Me” (Mt. 25: 40,45).in straight forward language if we love Him then the way to show our love is not with words (though words are OK sometimes) but by loving His kids ... even the very least of them. We need to see that Jesus takes our treatment of others very personally.

It is easy to do well toward those who do well toward us. It is easy to brag on someone who brags on us. It requires no Christian character at all to do unto others as they do unto you! But that isn’t what He said! Not even close.

When Jesus spoke these words He looked around at His apostles and disciples, and one might think that how we treat His apostles is how we treat Him. Yes, it is that, but it is so very much more than just that. His language was very clear and deliberate: the standard of our real love for Him lies in how we treat others, especially those who can never in return do anything for us.

Jesus so identified with the human race that what hurt us also hurt Him. He became one of us and lived among us for thirty five or thirty six years. He felt everything that we feel, amplified many times over. He knew how it was to be despised and rejected (Isaiah 53 :3). We humans did it to Him, He felt every insult, every pain inflicted by a whip, nails, and spear. Having experienced all of that which we experience He made it very clear that we are not to do to each other what our sin did to Him!

Jesus said “a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 13 :34). The evidence of our love is how we treat someone. Words just simply do not do the job. And in exactly the way that we treat “the least” among us we also treat Him.

Who are the “least”? We humans are all tragically flawed. We were created to be “like Him, in His image,” but we fall far short of the purpose of our creation. But in the masses of humanity, in the Church and out of the Church, there are those who, like Jesus, are “despised and rejected.” So we turn the other way. We tolerate them. But that isn’t enough. Do we just “tolerate” Jesus? Do we? He said it, not me. If all we do to the least among us is to tolerate them in all their misery, then that is exactly what we do to Him! Sooner or later in one way or another we will have to answer the question: do I love Jesus? If we do then our lives will show it, and one of the major means of showing it is how we deal with persons less fortunate, less blessed, than ourselves.

Christians are different. But we must show our difference to a lost and dying world! How?

My name is Gene Stacks and I approve of this message.

How to enhance your home’s outdoor living spaces

(StatePoint) With warm weather here, it’s time to make the most of your home’s outdoor living spaces.

“Whether you want to beautify your landscaping or add elements to your patio that will help you entertain, using manufactured stone veneer is a smart, on-trend choice,” says James Alpeter, stone marketing manager at ProVia. “A versatile and charming alternative to brick, high-quality manufactured stone looks natural, but can be installed much more quickly and affordably than the real thing.”

Project Ideas

As you mull over your plans, consider these three manufactured stone project ideas, all of which will boost the beauty and functionality of your outdoor living spaces:

1. Outdoor kitchens. Manufactured stone allows you to think well beyond a simple grill by building a complete outdoor kitchen. Depending on your budget and goals you may include a prep space, a sink, refrigeration and storage, and go for more niche features like a pizza oven. No matter how you choose to build this space out one thing is certain, you will be creating an instant room-like area to gather for conversation and laughter, or to relax after a long day of work.

2. Outdoor hearths. Enjoy the warmth and ambiance of flames on cool summer nights with an outdoor hearth, which can provide a stunning, one-of-a-kind focal point, whether it’s connected to the home or part of your backyard patio. Imagine having friends over for hot mulled cider and s’mores or snuggling up in front of the fire under a star-lit sky. For maximum comfort, treat this space as

Protecting your items – and the earth – when moving

(StatePoint) Moving is a big job – and it can be a wasteful one, too, considering all of the packing material required. Make moving more sustainable with these eco-friendly tips: you would your family room, adding outdoor-grade couches, cushions and rugs.

3. Landscaping. Have you ever dreamed of having a water feature in your backyard that would provide a habitat for koi fish or local wildlife? Is it time to take your garden to the next level? Manufactured stone is ideal for a range of elegant landscaping applications, from surrounds for a small backyard fish pond to raised planting beds to retaining walls.

Selecting Materials

Manufactured stone is as versatile and authentic-looking as natural stone, offering endless options to tailor your project to your unique aesthetic. Stone profiles range from the classic shape and texture of limestone to the irregular and imperfect look of ledgestone to the layered and precise fit of dry stack stone. They also come in various hues, so you can go for a warm, cozy feel or a sleek and striking look. For the true depth and character of natural stone, just be sure to select materials inspired by nature itself. The process at ProVia, for example, starts with trained stone masons who select stones from nature to create the casts used to build their molds, and who pay careful attention to the contours and varying hues of natural stone. With ProVia, you’ll also have the opportunity to select the grout color, which is a factor that should not be overlooked.

“Contrasting grout colors can be used to intensify the overall look while complementary grout colors can soften it. Selecting a grout color that mimics the dominant color of your stone can help blend materials into a near-seamless palette,” says Alpeter.

Look before you leap with the brand’s Stone and Grout Visualizer tool, found at www.provia.com/stone/ grout-visualizer/. For additional design inspiration, visit www.provia. com/stone/applications/.

This season, consider outdoor projects that will not only extend your home’s outdoor living spaces, but add elegance and charm while you’re at it.

Space Saving: Using thinner sustainable wrapping to secure your breakables avoids the need for excess storage and boxes. Flourish Brand Honeycomb Cushion Wrap, made with 40% recycled content, offers a customizable way to pack boxes efficiently. The die-cut honeycomb stretches easily with interlocking paper that attaches to itself, so no tape is needed. Once you unpack, the paper can be directly recycled, or stored to be reused.

Folding In: Instead of using tape, fold your box tops in an interlocked, neat manner. They’ll stack up easily inside your vehicle, maximizing packing space, plus you won’t need to use any additional materials. Unpack your items without tearing or ripping your box, then recycle or fold it flat to store for future use.

Stacking Up: Ensure your plates and serving ware stay scratch-free by using a protective layer between each item. Made of recycled content, Flourish Brand 100% Recycled Kraft Paper provides lasting security for traveling to your new home.

Blanketed: Oversized or uniquely shaped home décor can be exceptionally fragile and isn’t always easy to squeeze into standard storage containers. When packing your vehicle, incorporate padding by wrapping these items in spare blankets, comforters or oversized towels. You’ll minimize the risk of damage to the items and have zero waste.