Recently, Arkansas Department of Agriculture field staff have been working to ease a backlog of housing inspections for the H2A worker program utilized by many Arkansas farmers. Plant Industries Division Director Scott Bray outlined how the department was able to get involved and what plans are moving forward. Monroe County farmer Jon Carroll explained how these efforts helped his farm stay on schedule and why timely inspections are important for farmers.
Jeff Pitchord gives an overview of the General Assembly’s fiscal session, which kicked off last month and is set to wrap up soon. Jeff covers the funding decisions that impact the state’s agriculture industry and a special change to vehicle assessments that will affect all Arkansans who assess a vehicle.
Arkansas Farm Bureau leaders participated in the American Farm Bureau Issues Advisory Committee meetings held in Arlington, Va. this month. The Issues Advisory Committee consists of 13 subcommittees focused on priority agricultural topics with a purpose of identifying issues and discussing appropriate actions and solutions.
After returning from an eventful American Farm Bureau Convention in Atlanta, our policy experts sit down to discuss how the event went and what to expect from national Farm Bureau policy in 2022.
As we wrapped up the final day of American Farm Bureau Convention in Atlanta, Farm Bureau leaders from around the country prepared to get down to the business of making policy. See highlights from the day and hear ArFB President Rich Hillman talk about what’s next.
This week, we were on hand for the Arkansas Connectivity Summit at the Hot Springs Convention Center. We heard from a variety of experts, including a sitting FCC commissioner, about the state’s effort to expand and improve broadband internet access and about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Catrinia Rojas has been promoted to coordinator of policy development and legislative research at Arkansas Farm Bureau. She will help guide the organization’s policy development process and assist the lobbying staff with research needs on legislative, regulatory and agricultural topics.
Jarrod Yates has been hired as director of public affairs and government relations at the Arkansas Farm Bureau, where he will lead the national affairs efforts on behalf of the state’s largest agricultural advocacy organization.
On July 7, Congressman Bruce Westerman visited with farmers in Drew County to discuss the June flooding impacts with local farmers. Rep. Westerman talked about potential federal government assistance and a timeline for getting aid back to Arkansas.
