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Food Processing Industry in Arkansas

 

Arkansas has an abundance of resources to help food processing companies succeed. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission works directly with food processing companies looking to start-up, expand or relocate. In addition, we assist companies with finding the best incentives so companies are able to make money quickly and efficiently. 

There were 522 food and beverage companies in Arkansas at the end of 2022. These companies employed 55,130 people. Arkansas is home to Tyson Foods and numerous other food processing facilities, including Nestle, JBS USA, Kraft Heinz, Mars Inc., Cargill Inc., Hormel Foods Corp, Riceland Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, ConAgra Brands Inc., Land O’ Frost and Frito-Lay, Inc.

Arkansas has the 5th largest percentage of food processing workers in the United States. The growth rate of the food and beverage industry from 2017 to 2022 was 6 percent in Arkansas.

The food processing industry is booming in Arkansas and continues to grow exponentially. Eight of the top 10 food and beverage companies by revenue in the world have manufacturing facilities in the state. 

Arkansas is meeting the workforce needs for food processing companies. The state now has the second-largest number of food processing workers in the US and Arkansas has responded to industry growth by modernizing the workforce.

food and beverage companies in arkansas

Food & Beverage Industry Blog Posts

Arkansas Forestry Industry Manages Wildfire Threat

 August 18, 2017

The wood basket of the world is made up of 13 states in the southeast United States, and two territories, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This southern group of foresters works together to produce more commercial timber than any other region in the world. In order to remain the top producer, professional foresters have to manage the forests across the south and protect them from the dangers of wildfires.

Arkansas’ wood basket is well equipped for protection from costly wildfires through responsible forest management. Overall, forest health in Arkansas is the most important factor in protecting the state’s timber from wildfires. The healthier the forest, the less likely it is that a wildfire can race through it. Other factors that influence forest management include education, varieties of plant species and climate.  

While the state faces the same challenges as other regions and countries, certain levels of risk are much lower because a large percentage of forestland in Arkansas is privately owned. Landowners in Arkansas are well educated when it comes to managing forest health and typically work quickly with the Division of Agriculture and others in the forest industry to address forest health issues head on. 

In addition, the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) has invested education and money into rural communities to help prevent wildfires through the Rural Fire Protection Program. Through the program, more than 1,800 Federal Excess vehicles are on loan to fire departments across the state. Last year, over $9 million worth of Federal Excess Property was made available to Arkansas fire departments through the program. The AFC also loaned more than $600,000, interest free, for the purchase of fire equipment through the revolving loan program.

Arkansas’ diverse woodland habitat also plays a huge role in preventing and controlling wildfires. The state is home to a variety of plant species of different ages. Having a variety of species can help slow down the spread of wildfire. 

One of the biggest factors that can help control wildfires is climate. Arkansas’ humid subtropical climate keeps wildfires at bay because of the general high humidity. This excess moisture in the air helps officials get ahead of wildfires before they take over more land.

Wildfires are dangerous, costly and can be very difficult to control. However, not all fires are detrimental to our forests. There are many benefits to a prescribed fire. These fires are strategically planned and carefully managed. Flames from a prescribed burn are slow moving, low to the ground and planned to burn in a specific direction.

These prescribed fires are used to accomplish specific conservation and land management objectives for healthy forests and grasslands. In Arkansas, prescribed burns are conducted by officials from an array of conservation and land management agencies, and by landowners and companies. Benefits of these fires include hazardous fuel reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, planting and regeneration, vegetation control and ecosystem/ecological restoration. 

For more information about wildfire prevention and responsible forest management, sign up for our newsletter here.

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