Gov. Asa Hutchinson will kick off his 2018 Agriculture Tour to meet with farmers in south Arkansas and to discuss issues facing the state’s agriculture community, according to a news release.
In Southeast Arkansas, the governor will host a discussion with farmers at the McGehee Producers Gin from 3:30–4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7.
The 2018 tour will begin Monday, Aug. 6, in Little River County and end Tuesday, Aug. 7, in Desha County. Topics will focus on export markets, rural highways, rural education and transformation of government.
The governor is scheduled to make seven stops in six counties across south Arkansas, including, among others, cattle farms, fruit orchards, and timberland sites.
“Arkansas agriculture produces everything from the meat and vegetables we put on our tables to the wood we build our tables with,” Hutchinson said. “Every season presents new issues for our farmers, and every aspect of agriculture presents its own challenges. I’m eager to get out in the state to meet with farmers and to hear about their concerns as well as their success stories as stewards of Arkansas’s largest industry.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Tour stops include Howard, Little River, Sevier, Nevada, Ouachita and Desha counties:
Monday, Aug. 6
Winthrop, Little River County — Discussion with farmers, 10:40–11:40 a.m., Ricky Fawcett and RB Fawcett Farms, Winthrop.
De Queen, Sevier County — Lunch discussion with farmers and local leaders, 12:20–1:20 p.m., Mary Pop’s Restaurant, De Queen.
Nashville, Howard County — Discussion with farmers, 2:10–3:10 p.m., Jamison Orchards, Nashville; Discussion with local leaders, 3:40–4:40 p.m., Nashville High School, Nashville.
Tuesday, Aug. 7
Prescott, Nevada County — Discussion with farmers and local leaders, 8:50–9:50 a.m., Prescott/Nevada County Library, Prescott.
Camden, Ouachita County — Forestry tour/discussion, 11:10 a.m.–12:10 p.m., Rogers Lumber Co., Camden.
McGehee, Desha County — Discussion with farmers, 3:30–4:30 p.m., McGehee Producers Gin, McGehee.