We invested a lot of time and effort to ensure the new Farm Bill was fair and equitable and that it provided an adequate safety net for farmers of all crops and regions. And of course, that it supports economic growth in rural communities, invests in agricultural research, and helps our farmers and ranchers to be good stewards of the environment all while reducing the deficit. 

In order to accomplish these goals, we made major changes to our nation’s agriculture policy. As we move forward implementing the Farm Bill, it is important that stakeholders get up to speed on the new programs created by these reforms.

With that in mind, the Southern Risk Management Education System and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are hosting a trio of workshops on risk management under the 2014 Farm Bill. The half-day workshops will take place in Jonesboro on Nov. 11; Forrest City on Nov. 12; and Dumas on Nov. 13. These events will help farmers understand the risk management tools under the new Farm Bill.

These are far from the only workshops Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is hosting.  You can learn about Farm Service Agency (FSA) information requirements under the Farm Bill directly from FSA and Division of Agriculture specialists at the following events:

• Nov. 10: 6 p.m. — West Memphis at Mid-South Community College
• Nov. 12: 9 a.m.-noon — McCrory at Three County Fair Grounds Entertainment Building
• Nov. 13: 9 a.m.-noon —  Portland at Portland Baptist Church
• Nov. 17: 9 a.m.-noon —  Keiser at Northeast Research and Extension Center
• Nov. 17: 2 p.m.-4 p.m. — Manila at Airport Center
• Nov. 18: 9 a.m.-noon — Marianna at Lon Mann Cotton Research Station
• Nov. 19: 8:30 a.m. - noon — Stuttgart, Rice Research and Extension Center
• Nov. 20: 9 a.m.- noon — Morrilton at Conway County Fair Grounds Multi-Purpose Building
• Dec. 17: 9 a.m.-noon — McGehee at McGehee Men’s Club, #1 Airport Road South.

The Delta Press has all the details including specific topics of each event and how to register, as well as information for the four workshops on the Farm Bill Web-Based Decision Aid that will be held in West Memphis and Jonesboro in November.

Given that one out of every six jobs in Arkansas is tied to agriculture, the Farm Bill agreement was very good news for our state. We need to make sure the law is properly implemented and that not only takes vigorous Congressional oversight, but active engagement from stakeholders. To that end, I encourage Arkansas farmers to take advantage of these upcoming workshops and learn about the new programs created by the Farm Bill.