Natural State News

Governor Hutchinson joined the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, industry partners, and agriculture leaders in declaring November 20-26 as Arkansas Turkey Week. The Arkansas Turkey Week proclamation highlights the state’s turkey industry and its value to Arkansas’s economy and agriculture industry. The full proclamation can be found at bit.ly/TurkeyWeek22. “The poultry industry is one of Arkansas’s many great success stories. We put turkeys on tables all over the United States,” said Governor Hutchinson. “Our ranking as the third-largest producer of turkeys is testimony to the hard work of our farmers.” Agriculture is Arkansas’s largest industry, providing more than $19 billion in value to Arkansas’s economy annually. The Arkansas poultry industry leads Arkansas’s agricultural sector with almost 50 percent of the state’s agricultural cash receipts. “Arkansas produces 27 million turkeys per year, which provides over 540 million pounds of protein annually,” said Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward. “We are thankful for the farmers who provide this protein throughout the entire year.” Holly Duval, director of marketing and business development with The Poultry Federation, added that Thanksgiving week is the perfect time to recognize everyone involved in the Arkansas turkey industry. “Thank you to our dedicated farmers, who raise 27 million turkeys per year, and industry leaders, like Cargill and Butterball, for their impact on our state,” said Duval. Learn more about the turkey industry in Arkansas and its economic impact at thepoultryfederation.com/resources/facts-figures.

Photos from the proclamation ceremony can be found at flickr.com/photos/arkansasag/albums/72177720303877760. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Original source can be found here.