Page Title

THE AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL OF ARKANSAS

                        R E S O L U T I O N S 2010

COUNCIL POLICY

It is the permanent policy of the Council to support the best interests of its
members in programs and legislative matters. The Council will always seek the
thinking and advice of its members and reflect the opinion of the majority of
those it represents.

ACA Mission Statement: It is the mission of the Agricultural Council of Arkansas
to enhance profitable and environmentally responsible agricultural communities
through credible representation.

Agriculture Department of Arkansas: It is the policy of the Agricultural Council of
Arkansas to work closely with the Agriculture Department of Arkansas to promote
agriculture and assist in commodity marketing programs. The Council supports
raising the awareness of the citizens of Arkansas about the importance of
agriculture to the state’s economy. The Council will assist in development of
marketing strategies to enable the producer to receive a fair market price.
Development of alternative fuel production and use is just one example of added
value to oil seed production that the Agriculture Department should explore.

Immigration: It is the policy of the Council to support federal legislation
governing the procuring and the placement of legal immigrants filling farm
laborer positions.

PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR AGRICULTURE

Farmers prefer earning their income from the marketplace rather than being
dependent on government subsidies. Unfortunately, until world trade practices
are made fair and equitable, government support for agriculture will be
necessary. Even if the marketplace could yield satisfactory profits for agriculture,
government regulations restricting farming practices can make it difficult for
farmers to manage their businesses. It is necessary for the American public to
have an understanding of U. S. agriculture. We recommend that the Ag Council
contact other farm and agribusiness organizations to see if a plan might be
developed for a successful public relations program for agriculture.

The Ag Council encourages other organizations to support an effort to explore
the feasibility of developing a national checkoff for the purpose of telling
agriculture's remarkable story to the American people through the media.

FEDERAL FARM PROGRAMS

Any farm program should be designed so that its advantages inure to the direct
benefit of producers. This includes direct payments to producers which are
essential to Arkansas’ agriculture. Farm Programs should allow farmers the
planting flexibility to respond to world markets. Farm Program payment
limitations do not reflect the economics of modern farming operations and
should be removed. Any farm program should include a safety net for producers
that recognize the realities of world commodity markets and the roles played by
other governments in trade and agriculture. American trade policy should be
supported within WTO negotiations; American trade policy must be consistent
with U. S. agricultural policies. It is essential to track world trade positions
relating to agriculture.

2008 Farm Bill: The Agricultural Council of Arkansas requests that USDA
complete the rules and regulations for the 2008 Farm Bill and Farm Service
Agency (FSA) receive proper training and support to implement the Bill in a
timely manner. We further urge completion of all informational meetings in a
timely manner allowing producers to be knowledgeable of the rules in order to
make sound decisions for 2009 crops.

USDA, NRCS & Natural Resources: The Agricultural Council of Arkansas supports
soil and water conservation practices and USDA farm conservation programs so
long as these programs offer equal opportunity to all farms and to all geographic
areas in the state. In order to conserve resources for future generations, we
favor voluntary, government funded, long term land conservation practices.

USDA should continue to deem farmland, which could be classed as wetland,
eligible for conservation payments.

We favor passage of national and state legislation which offers incentives to
farmers to impound water for irrigation purposes and to recover tail water.

We oppose any restrictions on streams in agricultural areas which would limit the
use of excess flow.

We encourage the continued development of surface water storage and usage.

Disaster Support: We support legislation that provides financial assistance to all
producers that have suffered losses due to natural and economic disasters. The
declaration of each county and all contiguous counties should be completed in a
timely manner. The method of payment to eligible producers should be
processed in the simplest and quickest method available.

Federal Crop Insurance: We encourage Congress to develop and make available
to the farmer an affordable and effective crop insurance program. The program
should be designed to allow the farmer to protect himself from excessive
production risks and price
risks posed by crop production disasters and widely fluctuating commodity
prices that are beyond the control of the producer. Additionally, the premium
paid by the producer must be realistically priced to encourage broad based
producer participation and support from farm production lenders.

The crop insurance program should be administered so as to discourage abuse
of the program.

We advocate that the federal crop insurance program be restructured to operate
as a true insurance program. It should allow the farmer to insure his investment
in the crop, but not allow the farmer to earn a profit from an insured loss.

Regulatory Agencies: We support sensible rules issued by OSHA, EPA, FDA, and
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) which reasonably can be expected to
achieve results. We insist that OSHA, EPA, FDA, and FWS rules and actions result
in a national cost/benefit ratio based on reasonable scientific evidence.

Food Safety:   We support the development and enforcement of regulations by
USDA/FDA to ensure the safety of all food and sources of food for the nation,
whether produced domestically or internationally.

American Clean Energy and Security Act (Cap & Trade): We cannot support the
American Clean Energy and Security Act. (Cap and Trade) until such time global
approval of practices that lower greenhouse gases is achieved. China and India,
the two largest cotton and textile producing countries, are competitors with
United States cotton in the international market. Both countries are significantly
increasing greenhouse gas emitters and both have thus far refused to sign on to
any agreement to curtail their emissions.

An amendment to H.R. 2454 requires USDA to develop and administer agriculture
offsets in a Cap and Trade program. The development of these offsets is a
means to mitigate, to some degree, the impact of significantly higher energy and
input costs to production agriculture and agribusiness; all production, marketing
and processing will be adversely affected in varying degrees. Upon
consideration of the broad impacts of this legislation we have concluded that the
costs of higher energy and other production inputs for every sector of the U.S.
Agriculture will far outweigh any benefits resulting from offsets. Additional
production costs resulting from implementation of provisions of any Cap and
Trade program will place United States’ agriculture and agriculture products at a
clear disadvantage in international markets.

PRICE SUPPORT ELIGIBILITY

The Agricultural Council again expresses its opposition to any program which
provides for ceilings or limitations on the price, loan, price support payment,
diversion payment, marketing loan gain, or any other income which any
agricultural producer may receive. Such discrimination is unfair, inequitable and
disrupts and defeats the purpose of any program designed to improve the
economic position of agriculture. The Council opposes any kind of means test for
farm program benefits because it would put many farmers out of business.

TRANSPORTATION

We support improvement of interstate highways for transportation and delivery
of agricultural commodities. We strongly support interaction with Arkansas
Highway Department to improve the ability to move farm commodities and farm
equipment on Arkansas’ roads and highways more effectively. We support the
concept of securing permits and tags for such movements. The Council would
point out that construction of
interstate highways should consider present land use and provide proper
access to land. We support fair compensation for landowners when use and
access is restricted.

Unfortunately, dock strikes and or transportation strikes pose serious threats to
exports and domestic marketing of farm commodities. With due regard to the
position of both labor and domestic marketing of farm commodities, we believe it
is in the national interest and essential to the well-being of agriculture in
America, that government action be taken to prevent prolonged work stoppages
in our nation's transportation system.

We favor export shipment of agricultural products by the least costly method.

We request that the Corps of Engineers manage, maintain, and improve
waterways in a manner that will ensure the full use of navigable waterways at all
times.

ENERGY

We support policy that assures adequate energy supplies necessary for rural
community viability as well as agricultural production, harvesting, processing
and transporting agricultural commodities. Use of renewable energy resources,
alternate fuel sources, recycling and conservation should be the basis of any
energy policy. We support public policy that continues to provide incentives for
entities in the development of biofuel.

We encourage research and development necessary to provide adequate
electricity for rural communities as well as production agriculture. We
encourage research and development to promote increased production and
utilization of ethanol, biodiesel and all other alternative energy sources. We
support tax credits as incentives to promote research, development, production
and utilization of all alternative energy sources. As the infrastructure develops,
we encourage mandates for using alternative fuels in State and Federal
vehicles. We encourage the use of biodiesel fuel in farm equipment.

BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION

The Council supports a post boll weevil eradication maintenance program with
assistance from State surplus revenues. The Council also supports federal
financial assistance for boll weevil maintenance in Arkansas and all cotton
producing states.

EXPORTS

We favor government policy which permits the sale of any agricultural products
to any country with the resources to purchase them. We support lifting all trade
sanctions against Cuba.

U. S. foreign policy has a tremendous effect on the farm economy. Although we
do not advocate putting the interests of farmers ahead of the nation's interests,
we vehemently believe that under no circumstance should agriculture be asked
to bear an unfair share of the burden of U. S. foreign policy. We emphatically
oppose the export embargo of any agricultural commodity.

Export enhancement: We urge full funding and implementation of the export
Foreign Agriculture Services’ enhancement program so as to provide maximum
benefit to producers. U. S. trade policy and trade negotiations should enhance U.
S. farm programs and thereby lower the cost of such programs.

COMMODITIES

In lieu of recent overall market problems, the Council supports absolute clear
definitions of marketing terms including, but not limited, to hedging, speculating,
transparency.

We strongly oppose the movement of all commodities to offshore sites for
further processing such as, but not limited to, milling packaging and weaving
unless covered by free trade agreement.

Rice: Rice has long been the world's number one food grain. It has become
Arkansas' largest program crop. It is vital to the state's economy and to Ag
Council members. In order to fulfill America's desire to help feed the world's
needy people we recommend full use of all government programs to maximize
the exportation of rice.

Soybeans: The assurance of viable Soybean seed is vital to Arkansas’ farmers.
We encourage uniform standard testing of soybean seed and results made
available to farmers upon request.

Cotton: We encourage cotton commodity brokers to be bonded.

RIGHT TO WORK

We urge our Congressional delegation to continue to support retention of
Section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley Act.

SOCIAL SECURITY

We oppose further increases in Social Security taxes.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

Council members are alarmed about the escalating costs of unemployment
compensation.
Administration of this program is of great concern. Government employees tend
to side with other employees. Oftentimes former employees are allowed to
continue drawing unemployment compensation after they have found other
employment. Reason needs to be brought to the program.

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND PROMOTION

The agricultural colleges, including the experiment stations, extension services,
and contract researchers have helped make America the leader in innovative
techniques for agriculture and deserve full public support for funding at the
highest possible levels.

We support the programs of Cotton Incorporated, the National Cotton Council,
Arkansas Soybean Association, the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, the
United Soybean Board, the Arkansas Rice Research Board, the Arkansas Wheat
Promotion Board, the Arkansas Wheat Growers Association, the Arkansas Corn
and Grain Sorghum Board, and the Soil Test Review Board. We oppose a policy of
allowing an individual to simultaneously serve on the USB and on the American
Soybean Association Board.

We continue to support mandatory checkoffs for soybeans, rice, wheat, and corn
and grain sorghum in Arkansas.

We urge Cotton Incorporated, with the assistance of land grant colleges, USDA,
and other public scientists, to continue developing a national cotton breeding
program with the following objectives: Develop new cotton varieties with I)
higher, more stable yields to enable cotton producers to earn a profit growing
cotton, and 2) improved, more uniform fiber properties to enable cotton spinners
to utilize new spinning technologies for more effective competition with imports.

We support the concept of five research and extension centers being
developed by the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture.

We urge the Experiment station and the Cooperative Extension Service to
continue addressing real life on farm problems. It is imperative these problems
be given top priority.

We recommend that the Cooperative Extension Service begin to refocus and
restructure itself so as to best serve commercial agriculture.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Recognizing that biotechnology may contribute useful technology to agriculture
which could enhance both quality and competitiveness of farm products, we
encourage development in this field.

We urge USDA and other appropriate governmental agencies to expedite the
testing and release of recombinant plants containing the useful genes which
have the potential to render crop production more efficient.

We encourage research to develop traits beneficial to consumers which will
open new uses and new markets for commodities.

LAND GRANT COLLEGE

Maximum development of the agricultural potential in any state is dependent on
a strong Land Grant institution. A successful College of Agriculture must maintain
the interest and support of farmers. The Council will continue to improve
communications with the University in order to sharpen farmer interest in
research, extension and teaching activities. We pledge our full support toward
making Arkansas' Land Grant College the best possible.

STATE EDUCATION

We support all Arkansas institutions of higher learning, especially those which
contribute to agricultural research and education.

FLOOD CONTROL AND DRAINAGE

The Council commends the officers of the various levee districts, the Mississippi
River Commission, the Corps of Engineers, and the Natural Resources
Conservation Service participating in flood control and improvement of lands in
Arkansas. We also recommend that Congress direct the Corps to include
availability of agricultural irrigation water in their studies. This work is vital to
members of this organization.

We oppose FEMA setting regulations on flood plains determining mandatory
purchasing of flood insurance.

We urge early completion of the river basin projects in Arkansas for which funds
have been appropriated. We support maximum appropriations for all lower
Mississippi Valley flood control and improvement projects.

We urge authorization and appropriation of federal funds for maintenance of
banks, dikes and control structures along the Arkansas River.

We support the earliest possible completion of the work proposed by the Corps
of Engineers to improve the Mississippi levees, from Cape Girardeau, Missouri,
to the Gulf of Mexico, so as to fully protect the citizenry and property in the
states of the lower Mississippi Valley.

We support legislation to preserve wildlife habitat which would authorize the
Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to acquire
easement in lieu of fee for lands designated for acquisition in mitigation of
losses or damage to fish and wildlife resulting from Federal improvement.

The Agricultural Council recognizes that beavers have become a major
impediment to drainage of both farm and timber lands in Arkansas. We pledge
our cooperation with federal, state and local agencies in searching for a solution
to this problem. We also wish to impress upon the various agencies the urgency
of finding a solution.

Drainage - Section 404: The Ag Council believes in a healthy environment. We are
committed to good drainage, knowing it to be essential to the productivity of the
alluvial areas of the country. We are convinced a reasonable balance can be
achieved, for the good of the country, between these two objectives if EPA and
Corps of Engineers will promulgate sensible regulations and administer them in
a wise manner. We oppose the unfair increases in fees for obtaining a Section
404 permit which were proposed at one time by the Corps of Engineers.

We recommend restricting Section 404 jurisdiction to the historical definition of
"navigable waters." We also think Congress should adopt a reasonable definition
of "wetlands." We further recommend that any new legislation make it clear that
the Corps of Engineers has final authority to issue permits under Section 404.
Decisions on 404 permits should be rendered within six months.

Farmed Wetlands: We believe that any farmland that was in cultivation prior to
1985 should be considered prior converted cropland regardless of how long
water may stand on it during the growing season.

TRESPASS

We support private property rights and encourage the strict enforcement of
trespass laws.
Additionally, we support the passage of increased penalties for repeat offenders
of the law.

CHEMICAL RESTRICTIONS

We strongly recommend that no pesticides or any other agricultural chemicals
which are applied in a recommended manner be banned or restricted unless
adequate research has proven them harmful to man or agricultural crops.

The Ag Council questions the mechanism by which any biological species is
determined to be threatened or endangered.

Should any restrictions be placed on the use of farm land because of
environmental concerns, it is our firm conviction that any costs or reduction in
income incurred by farmers, due to such restrictions, should be paid for by the
public through government.

CHEMICAL PERMITS

We urge the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University to engage in
research aimed at protecting the right of farmers to continue to use pesticides,
fertilizers, growth regulators, etc.

We request the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative
Extension Service, when formulating recommendations about pesticides
concerning registration, emergency use permits or any recommendation which
involves policy considerations, to consult with the Agricultural Council of
Arkansas and other organizations before making recommendations.

INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION

Ag Council members are alarmed by the mergers among agricultural suppliers
and the resultant erosion in competition reflected in increased prices of crop
production inputs, which seem to cost the producer at least what they are worth.

It is crucial that producers not be placed at the mercy of one or two dominant
companies for seed supplies of major crops.

SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS

We favor maintaining the sales tax exemption presently held by Arkansas farmers.

ESTATE TAXES

The Ag Council supports the total and permanent repeal of all estate and
inheritance taxes.

EMINENT DOMAIN

Property appropriated under the right of eminent domain, when not used for the
purpose for which it was taken, should be offered for resale to the person from
whom it was seized at the price at which it was confiscated.

If any governmental entity takes, appropriates, seizes, restricts, or modifies the
use of private property, the owner should be compensated for any present or
future loss.

UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE

The Agricultural Council of Arkansas supports Article 9 of the Arkansas Uniform
Commercial Code that gives automatic priority status of landlord liens on crops
under Ark. Code Ann. Section 18-41-101.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND STATE ADMINISTRATION

The Council extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to the Congressional
delegation from Arkansas and members of our State Administration for their
leadership and effective work on behalf of agriculture and the nation.

PRESIDENT, OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

We express thanks to Jon Lambi for his services for the past two years. The
membership is grateful to the officers; directors and committee members who
have given of their time and efforts on behalf of this organization.

RESOLUTIONS