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#ruralrevolution #agriculture #newchapter #lifeupdate

#ruralrevolution #agriculture #newchapter #lifeupdate

Farmers put their livelihoods on the line every season, battling forces beyond their control. Family farms operate on razor-thin margins, so one disaster can set a farm back for years, if not force it out of business entirely. A flawed safety net - crop insurance and disaster relief system - doesn’t meet the needs of many. As extreme weather becomes more common, farmers need real solutions. Here’s what needs to happen:

-Strengthen crop insurance
-Establish a state-level disaster relief program
-Invest in resilient farming practices
-Support diversified agriculture

If you want to sign up for email alerts on new blog posts, subscribe at farmherhallie.com.

#Agriculture #FarmCrisis #SafetyNet #CropInsurance #DisasterRelief #FamilyFarms #RuralStrong

Farmers put their livelihoods on the line every season, battling forces beyond their control. Family farms operate on razor-thin margins, so one disaster can set a farm back for years, if not force it out of business entirely. A flawed safety net - crop insurance and disaster relief system - doesn’t meet the needs of many. As extreme weather becomes more common, farmers need real solutions. Here’s what needs to happen:

-Strengthen crop insurance
-Establish a state-level disaster relief program
-Invest in resilient farming practices
-Support diversified agriculture

If you want to sign up for email alerts on new blog posts, subscribe at farmherhallie.com.

#Agriculture #FarmCrisis #SafetyNet #CropInsurance #DisasterRelief #FamilyFarms #RuralStrong

Want an on-air shoutout? You’ll get one if you give and listen in to the KUAR Spring Fund Drive🎙️📻🎶 on Thursday, March 20th, from 4–6 PM with your hosts - @therootcafe owner, Jack Sundell, and me! We’ll talk food, farmers, climate, and the importance of public radio! @littlerockpublicradio

💚 Give now: donate.KUAR.org. #SupportPublicRadio #KeepKUARStrong #ArkansasFarming

Want an on-air shoutout? You’ll get one if you give and listen in to the KUAR Spring Fund Drive🎙️📻🎶 on Thursday, March 20th, from 4–6 PM with your hosts - @therootcafe owner, Jack Sundell, and me! We’ll talk food, farmers, climate, and the importance of public radio! @littlerockpublicradio

💚 Give now: donate.KUAR.org. #SupportPublicRadio #KeepKUARStrong #ArkansasFarming

New post up on farmherhallie.com

For decades, farmers have been told that if we work hard, manage wisely, and stay resilient, we will succeed. But the truth is, even the best farmers can’t outwork bad policy. In both Washington and Little Rock, policymakers have allowed corporate agriculture to dictate the rules, leaving family farms like mine to fend for ourselves in an unfair system.

-subsidies that favor the biggest players
-trade policies that undercut American farmers
-lack of support for diversification and local markets
-corporate influence in ag policy

The fight for family farms isn’t over. Make no mistake: we aren’t quitting. We may need to catch our breaths, but farmers are coming.

#Agriculture #Farmers #FarmCrisis #FamilyFarms #FarmBill #AmericanFarmers #AgPolicy #RuralAmerica #RuralStrong

New post up on farmherhallie.com

For decades, farmers have been told that if we work hard, manage wisely, and stay resilient, we will succeed. But the truth is, even the best farmers can’t outwork bad policy. In both Washington and Little Rock, policymakers have allowed corporate agriculture to dictate the rules, leaving family farms like mine to fend for ourselves in an unfair system.

-subsidies that favor the biggest players
-trade policies that undercut American farmers
-lack of support for diversification and local markets
-corporate influence in ag policy

The fight for family farms isn’t over. Make no mistake: we aren’t quitting. We may need to catch our breaths, but farmers are coming.

#Agriculture #Farmers #FarmCrisis #FamilyFarms #FarmBill #AmericanFarmers #AgPolicy #RuralAmerica #RuralStrong

Endlessly grateful to have so many in my corner, especially my hero, the OG farmer

#momsanddaughters #farmer

Endlessly grateful to have so many in my corner, especially my hero, the OG farmer

#momsanddaughters #farmer

For the farmers out there in a tough spot:
We aren’t quitting.
We’re just resting.

#agriculture #farmer #arkansas

For the farmers out there in a tough spot:
We aren’t quitting.
We’re just resting.

#agriculture #farmer #arkansas

The future of rice production in the southern U.S. is in Quality, not Quantity—better flavor, nutrition, and sustainability. This means

-Higher profits for farmers
-Stronger consumer demand
-More efficient and eco-friendly farming

It’s time to move beyond yield.

#QualityOverQuantity #RiceInnovation #SustainableFarming #DeltaHarvest

The future of rice production in the southern U.S. is in Quality, not Quantity—better flavor, nutrition, and sustainability. This means

-Higher profits for farmers
-Stronger consumer demand
-More efficient and eco-friendly farming

It’s time to move beyond yield.

#QualityOverQuantity #RiceInnovation #SustainableFarming #DeltaHarvest

It’s the end of an era, but not the end of the fight.

After 150 years of farming in my family, 30 years under my parents, and 10 years under my care, I’m heartbroken to share that our operation is closing. Like so many family farms, we’ve been hit hard by rising costs, unstable markets, and policies that ignore rural America. This farm crisis is real, and too many of us are being forced to make impossible choices.

We’ll hold an online liquidation auction on March 13th via Witcher Auctions —equipment, supplies, and more.

But this isn’t the end. Through Delta Harvest, I’m doubling down to create new opportunities for Arkansas farmers. And you’ll be seeing a lot more of me speaking out and fighting for rural communities. Our future is worth fighting for.

Thank you for your support—stay tuned. 💙 #ArkansasFarms #DeltaHarvest #FarmCrisis #RuralStrong

It’s the end of an era, but not the end of the fight.

After 150 years of farming in my family, 30 years under my parents, and 10 years under my care, I’m heartbroken to share that our operation is closing. Like so many family farms, we’ve been hit hard by rising costs, unstable markets, and policies that ignore rural America. This farm crisis is real, and too many of us are being forced to make impossible choices.

We’ll hold an online liquidation auction on March 13th via Witcher Auctions —equipment, supplies, and more.

But this isn’t the end. Through Delta Harvest, I’m doubling down to create new opportunities for Arkansas farmers. And you’ll be seeing a lot more of me speaking out and fighting for rural communities. Our future is worth fighting for.

Thank you for your support—stay tuned. 💙 #ArkansasFarms #DeltaHarvest #FarmCrisis #RuralStrong

Big Grave Digger fans but super impressed by all the drivers tonight! @monsterjam

#monstertrucks #monsterjam #littlerock #arkansas #simmonsarena

Big Grave Digger fans but super impressed by all the drivers tonight! @monsterjam

#monstertrucks #monsterjam #littlerock #arkansas #simmonsarena

“When you disagree on a national level, you still need to figure out if you’re going to put lights on that stop sign.”

- @caitlinistall on @thedailyzeitgeist

“When you disagree on a national level, you still need to figure out if you’re going to put lights on that stop sign.”

- @caitlinistall on @thedailyzeitgeist

I’ve received three complete liquidation auction notices for Arkansas farms in February and eight for March.

To my knowledge, there is not a single bill proposed in the 2025 Arkansas legislative session that mentions or addresses the financial state of emergency for Arkansas farmers…not even from the many lawmakers from farm country. Ag is the state’s largest industry. We are the top rice producing state in the country. 1 in 7 jobs are in ag. They spend hours debating affirmative action and the value of the PBS Commission…at the expense of the farmer.

Get it together folks.

#farmcrisis #arkansas #farmers #agriculture #arkansaslegislature #farmbill

I’ve received three complete liquidation auction notices for Arkansas farms in February and eight for March.

To my knowledge, there is not a single bill proposed in the 2025 Arkansas legislative session that mentions or addresses the financial state of emergency for Arkansas farmers…not even from the many lawmakers from farm country. Ag is the state’s largest industry. We are the top rice producing state in the country. 1 in 7 jobs are in ag. They spend hours debating affirmative action and the value of the PBS Commission…at the expense of the farmer.

Get it together folks.

#farmcrisis #arkansas #farmers #agriculture #arkansaslegislature #farmbill

In 2025, farmers are facing a crisis, pushing many out of business.

- Volatile market prices: Increased global competition, oversupply, and underdemand.
- COVID-19 supply chain disruptions: Disruptions, causing inflation in input costs such as fertilizer, herbicides, and diesel.
- Land consolidation by predatory entities: Private equity firms and high-net-worth individuals engage in land consolidation, creating monopolies.
- High rent costs and crop-share arrangements: Farmers face high rent costs or enter into financially unsustainable crop-share arrangements with the aforementioned firms and individuals.

While Amazon, Google, and Meta, post record profits and the wealthiest man in the world accesses our personal data, American farmers are failing. The U.S. government is failing American farmers.

#Agriculture #AmericanFarmers #FarmCrisis2025

In 2025, farmers are facing a crisis, pushing many out of business.

- Volatile market prices: Increased global competition, oversupply, and underdemand.
- COVID-19 supply chain disruptions: Disruptions, causing inflation in input costs such as fertilizer, herbicides, and diesel.
- Land consolidation by predatory entities: Private equity firms and high-net-worth individuals engage in land consolidation, creating monopolies.
- High rent costs and crop-share arrangements: Farmers face high rent costs or enter into financially unsustainable crop-share arrangements with the aforementioned firms and individuals.

While Amazon, Google, and Meta, post record profits and the wealthiest man in the world accesses our personal data, American farmers are failing. The U.S. government is failing American farmers.

#Agriculture #AmericanFarmers #FarmCrisis2025

I think a passion for farming is like a gene that requires an environmental trigger - exposure to agriculture. I wonder how many little farmers are sitting in classrooms in cities and will never know their latent desire to dig in the dirt.

#putaginschools #agcurriculum #agriculture

I think a passion for farming is like a gene that requires an environmental trigger - exposure to agriculture. I wonder how many little farmers are sitting in classrooms in cities and will never know their latent desire to dig in the dirt.

#putaginschools #agcurriculum #agriculture

Arkansas Senate Bill 3 would eliminate required minority recruitment and retention plans and reports from public school districts and higher education institutions and repeal language in state procurement proposals that encourage minority participation or require bidders to adopt an equal opportunity hiring program designed to increase the percentage of minority employees. It’s headed for the House floor.

#arkansas #sb3

Arkansas Senate Bill 3 would eliminate required minority recruitment and retention plans and reports from public school districts and higher education institutions and repeal language in state procurement proposals that encourage minority participation or require bidders to adopt an equal opportunity hiring program designed to increase the percentage of minority employees. It’s headed for the House floor.

#arkansas #sb3

Did you know that USAID, currently being shut down by Elon Musk, purchases about $2 billion a year of rice, wheat, lentils, and peas from American farmers?

Here’s the thing about reducing waste in any organization—if I needed to cut costs on my farm, I wouldn’t shut it down entirely. I wouldn’t even eliminate one crop in favor of another without careful consideration. Instead, I would analyze my budget and profit-and-loss reports line by line to ensure that no essential aspect of my operation is compromised. Any good businessperson understands this.

#usaid #foodaidprograms #farmers #americanfarmers

Did you know that USAID, currently being shut down by Elon Musk, purchases about $2 billion a year of rice, wheat, lentils, and peas from American farmers?

Here’s the thing about reducing waste in any organization—if I needed to cut costs on my farm, I wouldn’t shut it down entirely. I wouldn’t even eliminate one crop in favor of another without careful consideration. Instead, I would analyze my budget and profit-and-loss reports line by line to ensure that no essential aspect of my operation is compromised. Any good businessperson understands this.

#usaid #foodaidprograms #farmers #americanfarmers

In 2023, China bought $15.06B of U.S. soybeans, followed by the EU at $3.45B. A trade war will hurt soy exports and put farms out of business. Farmers need to diversify into value-added specialty crops like fruits and vegetables. The 2018 farm bill gave a mere $85M/year to directly support specialty crop farmers through Specialty Crop Block Grants. @johnboozman we need billions.

#specialtycrops #agriculture #arkansas #delta

In 2023, China bought $15.06B of U.S. soybeans, followed by the EU at $3.45B. A trade war will hurt soy exports and put farms out of business. Farmers need to diversify into value-added specialty crops like fruits and vegetables. The 2018 farm bill gave a mere $85M/year to directly support specialty crop farmers through Specialty Crop Block Grants. @johnboozman we need billions.

#specialtycrops #agriculture #arkansas #delta

Women are DEI. Small farmers are DEI. Young farmers are DEI. Beginning farmers are DEI. I’m #DEI

Women are DEI. Small farmers are DEI. Young farmers are DEI. Beginning farmers are DEI. I’m #DEI

With commodity prices remaining low and essential input costs such as diesel, fertilizer, and labor soaring, the upcoming year poses challenges for American farmers. Recently, I received an email from an input vendor advising us to secure more products before tariffs take effect.

For instance, the United States only domestically produces 6% of the widely used fertilizer, potassium, required for domestic use, with the remaining 94% being imported. Notably, Canada currently supplies 85% of all potassium imports to the US.

However, the scenario changes when the US imposes a 25% tax on Canadian goods. This action directly translates to increased costs for farmers, particularly concerning potassium, potentially escalating expenses significantly.

While tariffs can serve as a strategy to lessen dependence on foreign goods, it is crucial to approach them with mindfulness and nuance regarding their potential economic repercussions. It’s still to be seen what will happen, but many farmers and farming families are having a hard time planning for 2025 in the uncertainty.

#tariffs #agriculture #farmers #plant2025

With commodity prices remaining low and essential input costs such as diesel, fertilizer, and labor soaring, the upcoming year poses challenges for American farmers. Recently, I received an email from an input vendor advising us to secure more products before tariffs take effect.

For instance, the United States only domestically produces 6% of the widely used fertilizer, potassium, required for domestic use, with the remaining 94% being imported. Notably, Canada currently supplies 85% of all potassium imports to the US.

However, the scenario changes when the US imposes a 25% tax on Canadian goods. This action directly translates to increased costs for farmers, particularly concerning potassium, potentially escalating expenses significantly.

While tariffs can serve as a strategy to lessen dependence on foreign goods, it is crucial to approach them with mindfulness and nuance regarding their potential economic repercussions. It’s still to be seen what will happen, but many farmers and farming families are having a hard time planning for 2025 in the uncertainty.

#tariffs #agriculture #farmers #plant2025

Had a great time observing the harvest of koi from a research rice trial in Stuttgart. The fish very effectively controlled aquatic weeds compared to the control. I’m very excited to learn data regarding soil nitrogen contributions, yield, and growth and health of the fish. Grateful for the opportunity to see and think about new ways to farm!
#fish #rice #ricefarming #agresearch

Had a great time observing the harvest of koi from a research rice trial in Stuttgart. The fish very effectively controlled aquatic weeds compared to the control. I’m very excited to learn data regarding soil nitrogen contributions, yield, and growth and health of the fish. Grateful for the opportunity to see and think about new ways to farm!
#fish #rice #ricefarming #agresearch

Rice farmers worldwide suffer the effects of climate change and uncertainty in the global agricultural economy. The talented rice scientists attending this week’s International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics have made it their mission to figure out how to feed the world without destroying the planet. They celebrated one of the most crucial steps in this fight: the 20th anniversary of sequencing the rice genome.

My message this week is that, as a farmer, I’m excited about some of the discoveries and technologies discussed, and I am committed to advocating for the commercialization of these innovations. The gap between what we can imagine and what we can scale is vast, but we will demand change and more rapid adoption with scientists and farmers standing side-by-side.

I am grateful to Dr. Yulin Jia and the team at the @usdagov Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, as well as Dr. Rod Wing, for organizing this inspiring event and letting me address such a talented group of people. #RiceGenetics #AgriculturalResearch #GenomicsSymposium #ISRFG24

Rice farmers worldwide suffer the effects of climate change and uncertainty in the global agricultural economy. The talented rice scientists attending this week’s International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics have made it their mission to figure out how to feed the world without destroying the planet. They celebrated one of the most crucial steps in this fight: the 20th anniversary of sequencing the rice genome.

My message this week is that, as a farmer, I’m excited about some of the discoveries and technologies discussed, and I am committed to advocating for the commercialization of these innovations. The gap between what we can imagine and what we can scale is vast, but we will demand change and more rapid adoption with scientists and farmers standing side-by-side.

I am grateful to Dr. Yulin Jia and the team at the @usdagov Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, as well as Dr. Rod Wing, for organizing this inspiring event and letting me address such a talented group of people. #RiceGenetics #AgriculturalResearch #GenomicsSymposium #ISRFG24

WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE:
We can’t be too nice, because then we are flirts.
But we can’t be too strong, because then we are “trying to hard”.
We can’t express our feelings, because then we are vulnerable and weak.
But we can’t be stoic because then we are “hardasses”.
We can’t stay silent, because then we are pushovers.
But we can’t stick up for ourselves, because then we are “angry”.
And no matter what we choose, no matter how we act, we aren’t “authentic” enough.

#Educate #Assert #Ally #Farmher #BarbieMovie #iykyk

Photo credit @tonybakerphotography

WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE:
We can’t be too nice, because then we are flirts.
But we can’t be too strong, because then we are “trying to hard”.
We can’t express our feelings, because then we are vulnerable and weak.
But we can’t be stoic because then we are “hardasses”.
We can’t stay silent, because then we are pushovers.
But we can’t stick up for ourselves, because then we are “angry”.
And no matter what we choose, no matter how we act, we aren’t “authentic” enough.

#Educate #Assert #Ally #Farmher #BarbieMovie #iykyk

Photo credit @tonybakerphotography

Things That Get My Goat: a message from an established marketing firm offering me $100 in exchange for 45 minutes of me sharing insight into “decision making and technology usage” on my farm. They said, “This is an internal learning project and will help us as we advise our clients.”

#agvocate #farmerdata #thankyounext

Things That Get My Goat: a message from an established marketing firm offering me $100 in exchange for 45 minutes of me sharing insight into “decision making and technology usage” on my farm. They said, “This is an internal learning project and will help us as we advise our clients.”

#agvocate #farmerdata #thankyounext

I’m honored for the feature in @littlerocksoiree as a board member of the @arfoodbank .

“For my part, as a farmer having a relationship with the Arkansas Foodbank and understanding their mission and process in providing people with nutritious food, it inspires me to diversify my operation, which is primarily commodity crops.”

“Arkansas Foodbank has opened our eyes to not just the problem, but a solution for feeding Arkansans by encouraging more farmers to produce and equitably distribute healthy food throughout our state,” says Shoffner, who donated some of her own specialty rice to raise awareness of the role she believes agriculture should play in the Foodbank mission.

By: Ashton Ray in Little Rock Soirée
Photo Credit: Jason Masters

I’m honored for the feature in @littlerocksoiree as a board member of the @arfoodbank .

“For my part, as a farmer having a relationship with the Arkansas Foodbank and understanding their mission and process in providing people with nutritious food, it inspires me to diversify my operation, which is primarily commodity crops.”

“Arkansas Foodbank has opened our eyes to not just the problem, but a solution for feeding Arkansans by encouraging more farmers to produce and equitably distribute healthy food throughout our state,” says Shoffner, who donated some of her own specialty rice to raise awareness of the role she believes agriculture should play in the Foodbank mission.

By: Ashton Ray in Little Rock Soirée
Photo Credit: Jason Masters

What keeps us grounded? A 7 pm side-by-side ride with our dogs. 🐶💛🚜

#farmlife #farmdog #hankthecowdog #poppygirl

What keeps us grounded? A 7 pm side-by-side ride with our dogs. 🐶💛🚜

#farmlife #farmdog #hankthecowdog #poppygirl

Volume up for brain tingles. Spent a late afternoon in our specialty crop trials serenaded by birds, crickets, a hot dog, and the wind. First crop: black eyed peas. Second crop: chickpeas (aren’t doing well). Third: Sunflowers

#asmr #farmlife

Volume up for brain tingles. Spent a late afternoon in our specialty crop trials serenaded by birds, crickets, a hot dog, and the wind. First crop: black eyed peas. Second crop: chickpeas (aren’t doing well). Third: Sunflowers

#asmr #farmlife

Love that sound

#rice #arkansas #farmherfriday #deltaharvest

Love that sound

#rice #arkansas #farmherfriday #deltaharvest

Because #farmlife is best with a Velcro #farmdog

Because #farmlife is best with a Velcro #farmdog

Maintaining pure seed to propagate and sell to farmers is hard work which keeps us in the field daily. Sometimes we wish we didn’t love our job quite so much! 😂

#seedstock #specialtyrice #farmer #farmher #rice #delta #deltaharvest

Maintaining pure seed to propagate and sell to farmers is hard work which keeps us in the field daily. Sometimes we wish we didn’t love our job quite so much! 😂

#seedstock #specialtyrice #farmer #farmher #rice #delta #deltaharvest

Did you know rice production emits a methane, a greenhouse gas? Rice grows mostly in flooded fields called rice paddies. The water blocks oxygen from penetrating the soil, creating ideal conditions for bacteria that emit methane.

With help from the USDA, we are running trials to measure methane emissions in rice cultivated using water conservation irrigation methods. We are very excited to share our results with farmers, rice buyers, and consumers. Let’s fight climate change together with a more sustainable food supply chain!

#ClimateChange #ClimateAction #Sustainability #WaterConservation #Rice

Did you know rice production emits a methane, a greenhouse gas? Rice grows mostly in flooded fields called rice paddies. The water blocks oxygen from penetrating the soil, creating ideal conditions for bacteria that emit methane.

With help from the USDA, we are running trials to measure methane emissions in rice cultivated using water conservation irrigation methods. We are very excited to share our results with farmers, rice buyers, and consumers. Let’s fight climate change together with a more sustainable food supply chain!

#ClimateChange #ClimateAction #Sustainability #WaterConservation #Rice

Farming is hard - stressful, uncertain, and marginally profitable, but the lifestyle is a choice we make (or perhaps it chooses us). We enjoy the beautiful moments when we can appreciate and love those who pick us up when we fall.

#farmer #farming #farmlife #stress #anxiety #family

Farming is hard - stressful, uncertain, and marginally profitable, but the lifestyle is a choice we make (or perhaps it chooses us). We enjoy the beautiful moments when we can appreciate and love those who pick us up when we fall.

#farmer #farming #farmlife #stress #anxiety #family

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Cultivating Change
Growing Prosperity

Arkansan, Farmer, Rural Advocate

Shoffner Farm Project 6-14 (37).jpg

I'M HALLIE

I'm a farmer from the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta.

Farming isn't just a business; it is a way of life that demands everything but gives back in the form of purpose, resilience, and community. The fight for the future of agriculture is just beginning, and I won’t stop until family farms have a real shot at survival again.

SFR Seed20211102_0090.jpg

The contents of grain silos which burst from flood damage are shown in Fremont County Iowa, U.S., March 29, 2019. Photo taken March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Polansek

4 days ago3 min read

Weather, Risk, and the Unpredictable Nature of Farming

Farmers put their livelihoods on the line, battling forces beyond their control. That risk shouldn’t mean financial devastation.

black and white photo of a deteriorating old cotton gin

7 days ago3 min read

Policy Failures: How Washington and Little Rock Abandoned Family Farms

Even the best farmers can't outwork bad policy, but we have options.

farmer stands in front of a soybean field examining seeds in his open palm

Mar 53 min read

Farming in the Red: The Financial Reality of Commodity Agriculture

The economic reality of farming is bleak, but there's much we can do.

The Weight of 150 Years: A Family Legacy at Risk

Mar 43 min read

The Weight of 150 Years: A Family Legacy at Risk

This is not a story I ever imagined telling, but the fight for the future of agriculture is just beginning.

What is regenerative farming and how can you support it?

Oct 25, 20233 min read

What is regenerative farming and how can you support it?

You may have recently heard the term “regenerative farming," but what is it? How does it fight climate change, and how can you help?

What to do about climate anxiety

Jan 30, 20231 min read

What to do about climate anxiety

Climate change is real, but it's not the end of the world. Here's what we can do. Read my op-ed in Arkansas Talk Business & Politics.

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