Chairman Boozman Welcomes Arkansas Agribusiness Leader at Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) welcomed Arkansas agribusiness leader Ben Noble to testify before the committee about the challenges facing rural communities and the importance of strong risk management tools and access to credit for farmers and rural businesses.

Noble is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Riceland Foods, a farmer-owned cooperative in Stuttgart, Arkansas. On Tuesday, he shared with the committee the critical need for farmers to secure financing.

“As I sit here today, farmers are making planting decisions due to the extended lending cycle. Financial institutions work diligently and creatively to keep farmers on the farm this growing season, but a shadow of uncertainty remains across the entire system. Planting decisions and seed purchases are often made months before now. As final assessments are made, productive farmland will likely remain fallow this year due to some farmers’ inability to obtain financing.  Ultimately, this could reduce the production of rice, soybeans, corn, and possibly other commodities in our growing region. Businesses like ours are struggling to plan accordingly to receive and process this year’s crop,” Noble stated in written testimony.

He described the fragile economic conditions facing family farms and uniquely understands the consequences because it’s hit close to home.

“I’m also the son of Buddy Noble and brother of Andy Noble who own and manage Noble Farms,” Noble said. “As we discuss the state of the farm economy today, my story, unfortunately, mirrors what is happening across the countryside in rural America. Due to high input costs and lack of profitability over a multi-year period, and the low probability for profitable returns this year, my family is pulling the rip cord. 2025 will be the first year since 1890 – 135 years – that a Noble has not actively farmed in east Arkansas. We are selling our equipment at an auction this Friday.”

Boozman has championed an updated farm bill that improves the farm safety net and risk management tools producers rely on to help prevent producers from leaving the industry.

In December, Boozman led Senate efforts to secure market assistance for the agricultural community. The USDA is working to swiftly implement this program to help farmers secure 2025 operating loans but it’s not a substitute for a five-year Farm Bill. 

“If we expect current and future generations of producers to not only survive, but thrive, we need to pass a strong five-year Farm Bill this year that strengthens the farm safety net and revitalizes rural communities, many of which are struggling to retain an adequate workforce to feed, fuel and clothe the next generation of Americans,” Boozman said in his opening statement.

Chairman Boozman with Ben Noble.