Arkansas Farm Bureau elects leadership at annual conference

Dan Wright of Waldron was re-elected Friday (Dec. 6) as Arkansas Farm Bureau’s president and Mike Freeze of Little Rock will continue as vice president for the agriculture advocacy organization. Both were elected during Farm Bureau’s state convention at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Voting delegates elected Mark Williams of Lavaca to the state board of directors and re-elected seven board members, all serving two-year terms. They are Magen Allen, Bismarck; Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart; Brad Doyle, Weiner; Jason Henson, Mount Judea; Caleb Plyler, Hope; and Dana Stewart, Judsonia.

“I’m deeply honored by the trust our membership has placed in me to guide our organization into the next chapter of advocacy, education, and outreach for the state’s agriculture industry and rural communities,” Wright said. “It is more important than ever for our leaders and neighbors to recognize the dedication of farmers and ranchers who work tirelessly to feed families across America and around the world.”

Wright, 64, was selected for his second term as president. He has served 11 years on the organization’s state board, including four years as secretary/treasurer. Wright is a poultry farmer and hay producer.

Freeze, 72, begins his sixth term as vice president. He operates the Keo Fish Farm, the largest hybrid striped bass hatchery in the world. He is a past chairman of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

“I’m deeply grateful to our members for their continued trust in me,” Freeze said. “I’m excited to work with our president and state board members as we tackle the important and challenging work ahead for the Farm Bureau.”

Board action later resulted in the election of Terry Dabbs of Stuttgart as secretary/treasurer, his second term in that role. A row crop farmer, Dabbs has served on the ArFB Board of Directors since 2004. He grows rice, soybeans, wheat, oats and corn.

Voting delegates also addressed a range of state and federal policy issues, including increased funding for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and continued agricultural sales tax exemptions with added identification structure. The group also voted to support economic initiatives for rural counties, conservation district funding, private property rights and the right to farm. Delegates also approved policy supporting immediate economic assistance for farmers and ranchers, and a quick passage of a new federal farm bill that adequately addresses the current need of the agriculture industry.

Formed in 1935, Arkansas Farm Bureau represents more than 180,000 member families in the state.