Matt Smith, Vice-Chairman

Matt Smith was raised in Blytheville, Arkansas, where he continues his family’s agricultural legacy as a third-generation farmer. He says his father is the inspiration behind his continued love of the land and taught him to concentrate on the things he can control on the farm.

Since 1999, Matt has grown soybeans, corn, cotton, and wheat. He believes soybeans are an integral crop in the rotation on his farm. Now, as a member of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, he hopes to continue educating Arkansans and supporting local farmers.

Describe your path to becoming a soybean producer: During the first 15 years of farming, Matt primarily raised cotton and grew corn and soybeans in a rotation. When the markets changed, so did the farming, and he shifted to grain crops — with soybeans remaining part of the rotation.

The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board in Matt’s words: The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board should do two things: promote the state’s soybean production and use checkoff dollars for research that provides the best returns for soybean farmers.

What is the future of the Arkansas soybean industry: Exports will continue to be an integral part of the Arkansas soybean industry, but as the renewable fuel industry grows, Matt would like to see Arkansas become a bigger player in that sector. As a result, he believes Arkansas soybean producers would gain more market opportunities.