This December, an election will be held to select the new members for the Arkansas Rice Farmers (ARF) board of directors. The new board members will be elected during the USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little Rock.
Composed of exclusively of rice farmers, Arkansas Rice Farmers serves as an engine for policy development for the legislative and regulatory matters that impact the rice industry. The ARF board of directors has thirty farmer directors, with directors serving staggered terms of six years.
“Serving on the Board of Arkansas Rice Farmers is a tremendous opportunity to positively impact the U.S. rice industry by working to shape favorable public policy and protect the interests of hardworking Arkansas rice farmers,” ARF Chairman David Gairhan said in a statement.
This year, there will be 16 seats that will be voted on during the election. There will be two seats open in Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9. The remaining districts have one seat open for election.
Check the graph below for the district breakdown.
To run for a seat on the ARF board of directors, farmers must submit a written request for a candidate petition from the Arkansas Rice Farmers Board. The deadline for a request is Friday, Nov. 22. Requests can be emailed to lauren@campbellward.com
Applications must include 15 signatures of support from USDA FSA registered rice farmers from the candidate’s district, which is the district that his/her county Farm Service Agency control office is located. In addition, the application must include a candidate biography.
The completed materials must be received by Monday, Dec. 2.
Materials can be mailed to:
Arkansas Rice Farmers Board
Attn: Lauren Waldrip
1020 W Third St.
Little Rock, AR 72201
The election will be held during USA Rice Outlook Conference, billed as the largest rice-specific event in North America, on Dec. 8-10.
During the conference, attendees can hear multiple speakers, as well as participating in learning sessions and the conference’ trade show. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the use of robotics and artificial intelligence in agricultural contexts, best conservation practices, farm safety, stress management and more.
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