Van Buren County Farm Bureau members were among the 535 people who attended the 65th Annual Arkansas Farm Bureau Officers and Leaders Conference held July 22-23 in Hot Springs, AR. Back row: (l to r): Ben Harper, Jim Ragland, Bobby Brown, Stephen Matthews, Andy Andregg and Judy Brown. Front row (l to r): Leon Wilson, Cindy Wilson, Sheila Brown and Jimmy Brown. The theme for this year’s conference was ‘True North.” Speakers included Arkansas Farm Bureau President, Randy Veach, of Manila; V. J. Smith, author of “The Richest Man in Town”; and Keith Jackson, a sports broadcaster, founder of P.A.R.K. (Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids) and former professional football player whose career was highlighted by six Pro Bowl appearances and a win at Super Bowl XXXI. Conference goers also attended a variety of workshops on topics of interest to farmers and ranchers. Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private farm and rural advocacy organization of more than 200,000 families throughout the state, working to improve farm and rural life.