I had the pleasure of going down to Little Rock a few weeks ago, and I sat in on the House of Representative's Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development committee meeting. Representative Roy Ragland, of Searcy County, invited me down. He said it was the first time in a long time that a cattleman had held the chair position, usually it's the crop guys from down further south. I was pretty excited at this opportunity, I'd never sat in on any kind of official legislative meeting before. With all the big stuff going on in agriculture right now, I knew this would be a learning lesson.
Sure enough, Roy himself presented a bill to the committee on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). He proposed the Arkansas legislature urge the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to support a voluntary, market-driven approach to the NAIS. My faith was renewed in politicians when the resolution was passed through committee, no questions asked. Looks like we still have friends at the capitol, fellow farmers and ranchers. Watch for next issue – we'll take an in-depth look at the NAIS legislation, and the Arkansas legislature's stance on the program.
On my way home I took a detour just north of Leslie, looking for my great-grandpa's old house. He passed away in, I think it was 1998. I spent my summers as a kid on top of Nubbin Hill, where he and my great-grandmother lived, playing in the woods, building forts and chasing after kittens. My Grandpa Rains was a special man, quiet, but sincere. He'd farmed on that mountain his entire life, scraping out a living for his family. I remember him ambling up to me and my sisters, then presenting a kitten or two from his pockets, for us to play with. He was gentle enough the kittens would let him catch them, then he'd delight us with a new playmate for a few hours. I used to think he just kept the kittens in his pockets for the sake of us girls as kids, but I think he really liked the little barn kitties, and I imagine he kept them with him, even when we weren't down to visit. It brings tears to my eyes, remembering the old days, and my grandpa's simple gestures of love.
Thanks again, Roy, for having me down to Little Rock. I got to learn a lot about the Arkansas legislature, and also take a trip down memory lane across the Ozarks' hills, while I was at it.
God Bless,
