Position Paper - Interest Group or Issues

 

Arkansas AgPAC 

    A political action committee is defined by US Laws Explained  as "the primary way groups of people- from corporate employees and union members to single-issue advocates- participate financially in the political process." A political action committee, or PAC, gives everyday people the outlet to come together to create a louder and stronger voice for what they are advocating for. The Arkansas Farm Bureau  AgPAC  is an example of this. The AgPAC brings together people who are passionate about advocating for agriculture and ensuring that people that share their passion are elected to political offices'. 

    While most might think that Arkansas Farm Bureau is only an insurance company it is actually so much more. The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation advocates for the agriculture industry not only on the state level but on the national level as well. Arkansas Farm Bureau strives to inform school age children of the importance of agriculture and where their food, clothes, medicine and provide information and commodity support. 

    There are two different AgPAC's that Arkansas Farm Bureau is involved with; the ArFB Federal AgPAC and the ArFB State AgPAC. These political action committees were "organized by Arkansas Farm Bureau members for the purpose of influencing the nomination, election, or selection of qualified candidates to public office in both state and federal elections who have demonstrated basic beliefs and/or actions which are consistent with Farm Bureau policies, regardless of political affiliation." The political action committees are governed by an elected board of directors who takes into consideration the thoughts and input from Farm Bureau members. 

    The ArFB AgPAC does not decide which candidate to support based upon political standing. Instead, each candidate in individually evaluated for their own personal beliefs and actions. The committee determines their endorsements and contribution according to individual voting records. A questionnaire may be provided to non-incumbents to help understand the candidates' position, if they do not have a voting record.  

    Elected officials within the ArFB federal AgPAC and the State AgPAC not only work to amplify the voice of agriculture in Little Rock but also in Washington D.C. Officials make regular trips to both the state and nations capitol to lobby and advocate for agriculture not only in Arkansas but across the nation. One topic in particular that has been frequently discussed is the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill purposes multiple reforms and benefits that would aid not only farmers but also those living within rural communities and facing a lack of food security. However, there are two competing bills; the House of Representative version and the Senate's version. The Senate's Agricultural Act of 2026 has remained stalled in Congress due to disagreements over SNAP benefits/ funding, conservation programs and more. There is great urgency from the Arkansas AgPAC to have these bill passed considering that the previous Farm Bill (2018) expired on September 30 of 2026. Without these 2026 bills being passed it has left major nutrition and agriculture programs in limbo. 

    The ArFB AgPAC uses the resources developed by Arkansas Farm Bureau to spread awareness about the proposed bill. By doing this the AgPAC is able to advocate to more than just lawmakers. They are able to communicate with farmers, rural residents as well as journalists. Because the AgPAC is through Arkansas Farm Bureau majority of their social media outreach is through the official Arkansas Farm Bureau platforms. They share updates about the Farm Bill and other legislative updates as well as agriculturally based news from around the state. They also post uplifting stories about those within the Arkansas agriculture community. 

    During the 2026 Officers and Leaders Conference hosted by Arkansas Farm Bureau in Hot Springs the a AgPAC reception was held following the first day of the conference. This reception gave those in attendance the chance to learn about the AgPAC as well as an opportunity to contribute. 

(Click here for link) 

    One thing that could be deemed as a disadvantage for the ArFB AgPAC is that only Arkansas Farm Bureau members can contribute to the PAC. However, in Arkansas if you have Farm Bureau insurance then you also have a farm bureau membership. This in turn would allow anyone with Farm Bureau insurance to be able to contribute to the AgPAC. 

    While the AgPAC's connection with Arkansas Farm Bureau helps with the social media outreach I feel that there could be more media outreach that is specific to the AgPAC. While the social media outreach of Arkansas Farm Bureau does help "sale" the importance of the AgPAC and the industry that it is advocating for. However, I feel like specific information about the PAC could be shared more to help those that do not know what it does but may would want to contribute. 

    Overall, the ArFB AgPAC elected officials work diligently to go up to bat for those within the agriculture industry. They help to make sure that those that have the agriculture industries best interest in mind. They also give a voice to those that are not easily able to get an audience with those in legislation.