Photo: Courtesy of the Arkansas Dept. of Agriculture
Little Rock, Ark. — During a ceremony Tuesday at the State Capitol, Gov. Hutchinson joined agriculture leaders, industry partners, and 4-H and FFA representatives in declaring Monday through Saturday as Turkey Week in Arkansas. The 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, https://bit.ly/3r2Wjhb.
Gov. Hutchinson says, “The poultry industry is one of Arkansas’s many great success stories. We put turkeys on tables all over the United States. Our ranking as the second-largest producer of turkeys is testimony to the hard work of our farmers. Young people such as Jackson Barber and Jackson Moore, who raised the turkeys for this year’s reading of the proclamation, ensure that this segment of our agricultural industry will continue to thrive.”
Each year, agriculture contributes more the $21 billion in economic value to the state.
“The poultry industry, which includes turkey, chicken, and eggs, is an important part of Arkansas’s diverse agricultural landscape, representing more than 46 percent of our state’s total agricultural cash receipts,” 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 making Arkansas the second largest producer of turkeys in the nation. “Thank you to our dedicated farmers, who raise 31 million turkeys per year, and industry leaders, like Cargill and Butterball, for their impact on our state,” she said. Learn more about the Arkansas turkey industry and its economic impact, thepoultryfederation.com/resources/facts-figures.
The proclamation featured two live turkeys, a Spanish Black owned by Jackson Barber of Austin and a Holland White owned by Jackson Moore of Waldron.
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 Agriculture Department offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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