Brian and Elizabeth Walker of Horatio (Sevier County) and Kirk Meins of Stuttgart (Arkansas County) have been appointed to serve as co-chairman, co-chairwoman and vice-chairman, respectively, of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. In this role, they will serve as ex officio members of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors.

The Young Farmers & Ranchers program provides opportunities for young men and women between the ages of 18 and 35 to actively participate in Farm Bureau events and programs of work. The program also provides opportunities for young men and women to earn recognition for their achievements in agriculture, business and leadership through the YF&R awards program and competitions.

The Walkers own Lucky 13 Farm, an operation on 480 acres that includes 10 broiler houses, as well as cow/calf and feeder-calf operations. Brian currently is vice president on the Sevier County Farm Bureau board of directors. He and Elizabeth also are co-chairman and co-chairwoman of the county YF&R, among numerous other community endeavors. The Walkers were winners of Arkansas Farm Bureau's 2010 Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award,which celebrates farming success among young and beginning farmers across the state.

Meins farms rice in Arkansas County and is an active member of the county Farm Bureau, serving as chairman of its Rural Health & Safety Committee, YF&R Committee and Agricultural Contact Team. He is a graduate of the USA Rice Federation’s two-year Rice Leadership Development Program and a member of Arkansas County’s Quorum Court.