NEWPORT, Ark. (KATV) — Hundreds of struggling Arkansas farmers are pleading with the federal government to provide emergency funding amid a farm economy crisis.
Almost everything that could go wrong for Arkansas farmers went wrong this year, leaving many facing bankruptcy or even the closure of farms that have been passed down for generations.
A dismal global market and plunging commodity prices mean there’s little hope of breaking even, even as input costs soar because of inflation and tariffs—on top of bad weather earlier in the year.
This time last year, the rice price was about 40 percent higher than it is now. Inputs costs have gone up, fertilizer has gone up, commodity prices have gotten worse. So, after a horrible year last year where most farmers in Arkansas, Delta, lost money, this year is going to be worse,” said Derek Haigwood, a farmer from Independence and Jackson county.
Though President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” provided a much-needed update to safety net subsidies for farmers, they won’t see those federal dollars until late next year. By then, some have projected that as many as one-fourth—or even one-third—of Arkansas farmers could face bankruptcy or be forced out of business.
“I’m a sixth-generation farmer from Newport, and we made the decision to go out this year, in the spring. So, my son will not be the seventh generation on our farm,” said one Newport farmer.
“In the last 14 months, five of my customers have committed suicide. That’s how serious this is,” said another Arkansas farmer who also works as an ag equipment financier.
On Tuesday, farmers gathered in Brookland to share their struggles with staffers from Arkansas’ congressional delegation, asking the state's representatives on Capitol Hill and the governor to convince the president to provide emergency aid to see them through to next year.
“We have to have ad hoc payments right now to make it through this year,” Haigwood said.
“If there’s no emergency funding this year, there will be one out of three farmers who will file bankruptcy,” said Chris King, a Woodruff County farmer.
Their cries for help did not appear to fall on deaf ears.
“We’re going to take your message. We’re going to get it back to D.C. and we’re going to do everything we can to get you the help you need,” said Gene Higginbotham, district director for Congressman Rick Crawford.
Until then, farmers have no one to turn to but God.
Last edited:
Go get a job Cacs
