Arkansas Farm Trail, 2026 Young Farmers & Ranchers Awards Finalists, Day in the Life of a Mental Health Counselor

Allan Hudson, a 25-year health insurance professional, has joined Arkansas Farm Bureau as director of health plans.

Every year, Arkansas Farm Bureau recognizes an educator who successfully incorporates agriculture into classroom learning with the Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. For 2026, the honor was awarded to Jenie James, a counselor at Ward Central in Lonoke County. James integrates agriculture into academics and oversees the Ward Central Cultivating Kindness Garden, a therapeutic space for students to learn while connecting with agriculture, wellness and service.

Just outside of Jonesboro, you’ll find Huffman Family Farms. Established around 1970, the farm has evolved through the years and is now operated by Mark and Kim Huffman. Hear about their love of farming and commitment to providing quality beef products to the community at this featured stop on the Arkansas Farm Trail.

On this episode, we break down USDA's new specialty crop assistance payments, a rare opportunity for farmers to review and update base acres, and the first confirmed case of New World screwworm in U.S. livestock in decades. We also cover major changes to federal farm program eligibility rules that could expand payment limits and increase flexibility for many farm operations beginning in 2026.

Arkansas Farm Bureau has promoted Bryan Pistole to vice president of information technology and production and hired Rob Roedel as vice president of communications.

Read the latest issue of the Farm Bureau Press.

Read the latest market reports.

On this episode, we break down USDA’s latest efforts to expand domestic fertilizer production, how rising diesel costs are reshaping crop decisions for Arkansas farmers, and new trade commitments between the U.S. and China that could impact agricultural exports and input costs. We also look at continued strong demand for beef, pork and poultry despite higher grocery prices and what that means for livestock producers here in Arkansas.

Their sausage has been a staple for 70 years at the iconic Pancake Shop in Hot Springs, and their cattle routinely cross one of the city’s streets. Watch the unique G.E. Hawthorn family farm and meat processing story as it nears 90 years of operation.