Jarrod Yates, Executive Vice President | Arkansas Farm Bureau
Front Porch | Issue 135
It feels like someone is always asking us for something these days. Whether it’s a phone call from an unfamiliar number, an unexpected email or a scam telling you there’s an outstanding toll-road fine to be paid. It’s understandable that most of us are a little skeptical when someone asks us to join something or asks us for money.
That’s why I want to take a moment to tell you how this message is different. If you’re not currently a member of Arkansas Farm Bureau, I’d like to personally ask you to consider joining us. And I promise – it’s worth hearing me out.
When many people hear Farm Bureau, their first thought is probably insurance. That’s fair. We have outstanding agents across Arkansas who provide high-quality insurance products for homes, vehicles, farms and personal property. But the Farm Bureau is far more than insurance. It’s a membership organization working every day to strengthen and support our communities, our way of life and Arkansas agriculture.
First, let’s talk about the basics. A Farm Bureau membership in Arkansas costs just $40 per year. For that fee, you not only support advocacy efforts that protect rural Arkansas, but you also unlock a wide range of member benefits. I’ve included a QR code so you can easily explore the full list of membership benefits. Here are just a few of the discounts: savings on new Ford vehicles, farm equipment, deals on hotel rooms and rental cars, discounted tickets to Silver Dollar City, reduced rates on Sam’s Club memberships, lower prices on propane and paint at Sherwin-Williams. The benefits often exceed the cost of the membership itself.
But even more valuable than the discounts is what your membership helps us do behind the scenes. When you join the Farm Bureau, you are standing up for the future of agriculture in Arkansas and for the communities that make this state special. You’re supporting efforts at the local, state and federal levels of government that protect our rural way of life. There are real threats to the things we often take for granted in rural Arkansas – our schools, roads and bridges, access to high-speed internet, property tax rates and utility bills. The Farm Bureau is working on these issues every day.
We advocate for sound policy that supports farmers and ranchers and their ability to feed and clothe the world. But we also fight for families who live in small towns. We believe rural Arkansas matters, and we make sure our elected officials know it.
If you know me, you know I’m not one to ask someone for anything lightly. I don’t enjoy asking for help, and I don’t ask people to buy into something unless I truly believe in it. But this is too important not to share. The truth is, there is strength in numbers and we need your voice.
We need people who care about Arkansas to stand with us. Whether you’re involved in agriculture, live in a rural town or simply want to make sure that the values we care about are represented in government and public policy, joining Farm Bureau is one small step that makes a big difference.
Join for a year. Just one. I think you’ll see the value immediately. And I believe you’ll keep that membership going for years – not just for the perks, but for the impact you’re making. Together, we can ensure Arkansas remains a place where agriculture thrives and rural families prosper.
Please consider joining today, either at your local Farm Bureau office or through the included QR code. I also invite you to follow us on social media and get involved in your county Farm Bureau. We would love to meet you, hear your ideas and work side by side with you to keep Arkansas strong.
Together, let’s make a difference.