Read the latest edition of the Farm Bureau Press!

President Donald Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law during a ceremony in the Old Executive Office Building near the White House. Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach and ArFB board member Terry Dabbs were on hand for the signing event, where they spoke to members of Arkansas's Congressional delegation, leaders from American Farm Bureau and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. See highlights and updates from the event.

Arkansas farmer Jim Carroll III of Monroe County was recently elected vice chair of the United Soybean Board. He sat down with us to discuss the challenges this year’s soybean crop presented and how he's humbled to be elected by his peers to serve agriculture.

For Harold and Bobbie McAlpine, growing and selling Christmas trees is more than an occupation. It's a way to share the spirit of the holidays and bring joy to Arkansas families. Learn the story of McAlpine Christmas Tree Farm in Bismarck.

Before it’s ready for making textiles and other goods, cotton must be ginned to remove seeds, clean fibers and prepare bales for shipping. Watch B. Lindsey of Lindsey Brothers Gin in Caldwell (St. Francis County) explain the process from field to fabric.

Chris and Judy Isbell of Humnoke (Lonoke County) are the 2018 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The Isbells have cultivated rice in Lonoke County for more than 70 years and currently grow 3,000 acres of the crop. Learn more about them.

Recently, the restoration of the dam that created Lake Bennett was completed at Wooly Hollow State Park near Greenbrier. Lake Bennett is named after Hugh Hammond Bennett, the father of soil conservation, whose research in the Faulkner County watershed was critical to overcoming the critical soil erosion during the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s. Farmers today still follow Hugh Hammond Bennett's soil conservation practices to protect the soil we depend on to grow and raise our food, fiber and shelter. Learn more about the fascinating history behind this unique dam and its relationship to agriculture in the area.

In this issue: Advice and tips for preparing for the next planting season, a look at the UA Fruit Research Station in Johnson County and the rise of Indigo Ag, an emerging biotech company with Arkansas roots.

The Maloch family of Columbia County has a legacy of service in FFA, on both the state and national levels. State Senator Bruce Maloch served as state president, then as secretary on the National Officer team. All three of his children have followed his example of service and his granddaughter Reese is now a member of her local FFA chapter. Learn their story and find out why FFA is a premier leadership development program.

Chris and Judy Isbell of Humnoke (Lonoke County) are the 2018 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The honor was announced today at the annual luncheon honoring the county and district Farm Families of the Year.