Arkansas Farmers Fear Trump’s Tariffs and Floods May Endanger Their Livelihoods

Last week, numerous Arkansas farmers convened in Brookland, urgently seeking emergency fiscal assistance due to escalating debt, soaring expenses, and plummeting crop values. Quite a few attendees had previously supported President Donald Trump but are now anxious about their farms' survival and their families’ futures. Chris King, a veteran farmer of 40 years, expressed deep concern for his children’s farming prospects. Scott Brown, overseeing 800 acres, emphasized the dire situation, warning that losing 25 to 30 percent of farmers is a possibility without immediate checks. The gathering highlighted personal accounts of financial hardship and outdated equipment. Severe weather patterns have compounded these woes, as April floods inflicted nearly $100 million in agricultural damages, particularly affecting rice. Commodity prices have reached their lowest since 2020, heightening farmers' distress amidst frozen USDA programs. Many claim that without swift emergency aid, Arkansas risks losing a third of its farms, a situation that would have repercussions beyond agriculture, affecting food supply chains nationwide.