Arkansas Farm Bureau elects leadership at convention

Rich Hillman of Carlisle was re-elected as Arkansas Farm Bureau’s president, and Mike Freeze of Little Rock will continue as the agriculture advocacy organization’s vice president.

Both were elected Friday (Dec. 3) at Farm Bureau’s 87th Annual Convention at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Delegates also elected six other board members during the final day of the meeting.

Hillman, 58, was first elected to as Farm Bureau’s president in 2019 and before that he served 11 years as the organization’s vice president. Freeze, 69, begins his third term as vice president.

Board action later resulted in the re-election of Dan Wright of Waldron as Secretary/Treasurer.

The voting delegates re-elected six board members to new two-year terms. They are Sherry Felts, Joiner; Jon Carroll, Moro; Joe Thrash, Houston; Terry Laster, Strong; Chase Groves, Garland City; and Jack Evans of Lonoke.

Also elected were two new board members, Jason Henson of Mount Judea and Bob Shofner of Centerton. Both men raise livestock.

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of almost 190,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.