There has been a considerable increase in the number of regulations and laws that dictates the pace of agricultural growth in Arkansas. The laws usually affect the employers and employees, and both need to be aware of some of these laws and how they can benefit from them. Regular review of these laws is important considering the fact that agriculture is a major part of Arkansas’ economy.
The report from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism shows that about 20 million travellers that visit Arkansas spend over $4 billion annually. According to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, agriculture alone makes up 20 percent of the state’s GDP. State laws also affect the processing and sale of these products.
Agritourism In Arkansas
The Agritourism industry is a huge income earner to states that have implemented them including Kentucky, Tennessee, Kansas, and Indiana. These states have recognized agritourism as an industry and have created a formal organizational structure with the aim of implementing plans to develop the agritourism industry across the state.
Enacting pro-agritourism legislations significantly improves the role of the industry to the economy of the state. Inasmuch as Arkansas has the land, human, and academic resources, the state is yet to create a viable agritourism industry. Using the models provided by other states can help Arkansas to implement programs that will promote the agritourism industry.
Beneficial Agricultural Federal Laws In Arkansas
The Arkansas government has Checkoff programs which have been established under federal law to serve producers of specific commodities. The program collects funds from producers to support projects like advertising strategies, nutrition education programs, and crop improvement research. Arkansas has several checkoff programs to protect the member’s interest as well as the industry. There are also similar checkoff programs covering different crops and livestock production in Arkansas.