AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL OF ARKANSAS
ANNUAL MEETING
THE PEABODY HOTEL
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
DECEMBER 7, 2007
1. President Ritter Arnold called the Annual Meeting of the Agricultural Council of
Arkansas to order at l0:30 a.m. He welcomed everyone and gave special recognitions to
special guests: Richard Bell, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture; Dr. Mark Lange and Craig
Brown, National Cotton Council; Tim Price, Southern Ginners Association; Dr. Milo Schultz,
University of Arkansas; and, Chip Morgan and Bill Kennedy, Delta Council.
2. Terry Duke, Group Manager of the AG-Comp Self Insured Fund, briefly brought the
Board up-to-date on the program. Since the SIF fund was established in September 1992, it has
remained constant in providing coverage for its members and, in addition, has returned over
$13 million back to its members. He stressed that Arkansas’ farmers should be made aware of
the advantages to SIF membership; the ultimate expense is less than farmers’ liability
insurance.
3. President Arnold gave his report. The Board of Directors approved the
recommendations of the Nomination Committee. They are: Jon Lambi, President;
BobbyGammill, 1st Vice-President; F. H. Lyons, 2nd Vice-President, Bill Weaver,
Treasurer. John Hux resigned from the Board of Directors; he will be added to Directors
Emeritus. Rick Bransford will replace Mr. Hux on the Board.
The Board of Directors approved proposed changes in the Resolutions for Calendar Year
2008. They will be posted on the website and distributed by mail if requests are made.
4. President Arnold introduced Dr. Mark Lange, National Cotton Council. Dr. Lange
talked about the farm bill, citing the ongoing debates on amendments. The National Cotton
Council supports the conclusions of the Senate Agriculture Committee even though it changes
payments. It is a package of reform which will move into a 3-year average market value. The
Council opposes the Grassley/Gorgan amendment which lowers payments from $40,000 to
$20,000; the debates are very serious. Arkansas senator Blanche Lincoln and Representatives
Ross, Berry, and Boozman are doing an exceptional job. Congress will resume session January
15th; if Grassley/Gorgan means testing are defeated, the bill should be acceptable.
5. President Arnold introduced Cynthia Edwards, liaison to Senator Blanche Lincoln. Ms.
Edwards is a native of DeWitt. She has an Agricultural Law degree from the University of
Arkansas and previously worked with Senator Dale Bumpers. She joined Senator Lincoln in
1988. Edwards expressed the regrets of Senator Lincoln for not being able to attend the
meeting; Lincoln is currently on the Senate floor supporting the Senate version of the farm
bill. She asked the group to not lose hope with this congress; bipartisan efforts have made
progress and continue to cautiously progress.
6. President Arnold expressed appreciation for attendance and participation in the
meetings. He recognized ACA members who have faithfully served as officers in agriculture
organizations on the national level; John C. King, III, President, USA Rice Council, 2004-2007;
Allen B. Helms, Jr., Chairman, National Cotton Council, 2006; Bill Weaver, Chairman, Cotton
Incorporated, 2004-2005; Bob McGinnis, Cotton Board, Vice-President 2006-2007; Larry
McClendon, Cotton Council, Vice-President 2007.
President Elect 2008, Jon Lambi, presented a plaque to outgoing President Ritter Arnold for
his past two years of leadership, a lot of hard work.
7. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45, at which time
lunch was served.
_________________________ __________________________
Ritter Arnold, President Don Alexander, Secretary
