Agriculture Update - March 6

We Support:

• SB349 (Laverty) allows rice farmers a greater voice in how their check-off funds are spent.  The bill is currently before the Senate Agriculture Committee.  Currently all rice growers pay a check-off fee on the rice they grow and the money is given to the Rice Research and Promotion Board for research and promotion.  Many farmers feel this Board is controlled by rice milling companies and that farmers don’t have a voice in how their own funds are spent.    SB349 will give rice growers a choice of whether to send their check-off taxes to the Research and Promotion Board, or to a more farmer accountable board with the same mission of promoting and developing rice.
• The Milk Stabilization Bill, HB1451 (Hoyt), will help preserve Arkansas dairies, which have been disappearing at alarming rates, by stabilizing the price of Arkansas milk and promoting Arkansas dairies. If we lose our dairies, Arkansas stands to lose a $400 million industry and the price of milk will go up.  HB1451 keeps milk less expensive, keeps local Arkansas dairies and keeps Arkansas jobs.
• SB442 (Key) will exempt raw food at farmers markets from the sales tax and help support local agriculture, local jobs – not to mention providing at least one source of food without a sales tax!