Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on May 8 that May has been proclaimed as Arkansas Beef Month, Dairy Month, Egg Month, and Strawberry Month. The announcement was made at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s annual cookout with agriculture leaders and industry partners in attendance.
The proclamations are intended to highlight the contributions of beef, dairy, egg, and strawberry producers to Arkansas’s economy. These sectors are part of an agricultural industry that contributes more than $24.3 billion annually and includes about 37,400 farms across roughly 13.7 million acres in the state, according to the official website.
“We are so thankful for all of the people who work so hard to put food on our tables, and that agriculture continues to be the number one industry in the State of Arkansas,” said Governor Sanders. “Today, we get to celebrate that, we get to enjoy it, and we get to recognize the incredible work of the farmers and ranchers and producers from around our state.”
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward said: “Arkansas’ beef, dairy, egg, and strawberry industries continue to demonstrate why agriculture remains our state’s largest and most diverse industry. May provides an opportunity to highlight these sectors of our industry and the producers who work every day to support Arkansas communities and maintain our position as a national leader in agriculture.”
Cattle and calves remain among Arkansas’ top agricultural commodities with cash receipts valued at over $824 million annually. The state’s dairy farms produce approximately 26 million pounds of milk each year worth $6.2 million; egg production brings in $824 million yearly with more than 3.89 billion eggs produced—ranking ninth nationally; while more than 80 farms cultivate strawberries on about 128 acres.
The Department also oversees funding for research on key crops like rice and soybeans; promotes access to safe water supplies for economic development; maintains Baucum Nursery for reforestation efforts; honors forest management through its Forest Stewards program; serves as a resource conservation agency supporting these industries—all according to its official website.
More than 450 stakeholders attended this year’s event at which Williams Baptist University along with several associations provided lunch for attendees.
