Recognizing National Farmers Day
Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04)
Every corner of the Natural State has a different story to tell if you were to ask what agriculture means to them. From row crops and rice fields that proudly rank first in the nation for production to the cattle ranches, poultry farms, and deep-rooted timber industry, farming is our shared heritage.
These farmers all have different stories to tell, and their days all look a bit different. But no matter what the commodity they’re working to produce, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone else who works harder than an Arkansas farmer.
Representing a vast portion of the state, I have the privilege of knowing these farmers. Many of them have been working the land that their grandparents and great-grandparents worked to establish. In Arkansas, we take pride in Agriculture not just because it’s something we’re good at, but because it’s been our way of life for generations.
Agriculture tells the story of Arkansas and our nation. Through the grit and determination of those who came before us, we have now established ourselves as a leading producer of several products shipped to every corner of the country and the world. To recognize the contribution our farming forefathers made, we must continue to steward this way of life well and invest in it so that future generations of Arkansas farmers can take up the mantle with pride.
This week, we recognized National Farmers Day. Leading up to this day to recognize our farmers for their incredible contribution to our way of life, it was recently announced that our farmers would begin receiving roughly $1 billion in enhanced ARC/PLC farm safety net benefits this month – which is an increase of $381 million from the reconciliation package last year, aiming at providing some relief for our agriculture industry.
Farming families from every corner of Arkansas are the backbone of our economy – feeding, clothing, and fueling millions. I want them to know their concerns are being heard by me and in Congress. While I am certainly pleased to see this win for Arkansas farmers, the fight to secure more long-lasting certainty for their future is far from over, and I will continue working in Congress to ensure that our agriculturalists receive the help they need.