Little Rock, AR:  Several leaders with the Hempstead County Farm Bureau met last week at the Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 89th annual convention at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.  Hempstead County received an award in all four categories of the LEAD Award – Leadership & Member Development, Engagement & Outreach,  Advocacy, and Dissemination of Information.  

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, outgoing ArFB President Rich Hillman and Jason Brown, former NFL player and farmer/philanthropist, served as keynote speakers.

The convention’s theme, “Breaking New Ground,” was reinforced with workshops including topics such as H2A temporary worker programs, overviews of current livestock and row-crop economic markets, use of drones in agriculture, an overview of Arkansas Game & Fish Commission conservation programs, implementation of successful young farmer programs, and a session on multi-species livestock grazing.

Voting delegates defined the organization’s policy positions on issues of importance to its members during Farm Bureau’s annual business session. Delegates elected a new president, Dan Wright, of Waldron, AR.

Formed in 1934, Hempstead County Farm Bureau represents more than 2100 member families.  We are a grassroots organization that advocates for and promotes agriculture throughout Hempstead County and Arkansas, as well as improve farm and rural life.