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Arkansas Legislature Has Lot More Farmers Lately

There are now 18 farmers and ranchers in the Arkansas Legislature -- making agriculture the most common profession among lawmakers. Only 14 lawyers are legislators.

There are innumerable ways to ruin a farm. Crop prices might fall. Grain buyers could go bankrupt. It could rain too much and flood, or not enough and dry up.

The government can't control the rain, but it can hold sway over water storage, environmental rules, crop sale regulations -- and more.

That's part of why state Rep. Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia, a blackberry farmer and now Arkansas House Speaker, wanted to become a legislator.

And he's not alone. There are now 18 farmers and ranchers in the Arkansas Legislature -- making agriculture the most common profession among lawmakers.

Daniel Luzer is GOVERNING's news editor.
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