WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) will kick off a week-long agriculture tour across the southwestern portion of the state Monday to highlight the importance of the farm bill reauthorization to Arkansas’s agricultural community. 

During the tour, Boozman will be meeting with producers, ranchers and more as he visits farms, production facilities and University research arms. Boozman also be speaking at farm bureau meetings and discussing agriculture with local officials in these counties. 

“Arkansas’s economy is dependent on agriculture. It accounts for nearly one-quarter of our state’s economic activity. One out of every six jobs in Arkansas is tied, either directly or indirectly, to agriculture. Therefore, it is vital that Washington understands the needs of our agriculture community. This tour is good way to ensure that happens as we work toward a compromise farm bill,” Boozman said. 

Earlier this year, the Senate and House of Representatives passed two separate reauthorizations of the farm bill, currently set to expire September 30th. The Senate bill authorized spending on commodities and nutrition programs while saving taxpayer money. It was much larger than the House’s bill which consisted of the commodities section only. 

Before the break for the August work period, the group of senators tasked with reconciling the differences between the two bills was selected. Boozman was appointed as one of the committee’s Republican senators. 

“I am honored to be a part of the group that will be working toward finding a compromise between the two bills. Finding common ground between the two approaches will be a challenge, but I am confident that we can come to an agreement that establishes an adequate safety net for farmers. This is vital to ensuring we will continue to have the cheapest, safest food supply of any country,” Boozman said.  

The tour includes stops at:

• Bibler Bros. Lumber Company in Russellville
• Dover Tree Farm
• Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge
• Farm Bureau Meeting in Perryville
• Meetings with Yell, Scott, and Polk County judges about the recovery from recent floods as well as a visit to Albert Rogers Farm which was affected by the flooding
• Pilgrim's Pride Poultry Plant in De Queen
• UofA Southwest Research & Extension Center
• Southern Arkansas University Agriculture Department
• Cattlemen's Livestock Auction in Glenwood
• MWD Produce Farm in Prairie Grove
• Lindsay Turkey Farm in Fayetteville 

Boozman has held an agriculture tour every August work period where he focuses on agriculture needs in a specific region of the state. This year, for the first time on one of his tours, he will be overnighting at state parks (including Mt. Magazine and Petite Jean) to highlight the natural beauty in our backyard.