Matt Smith

Matt Smith was raised in Blytheville, Arkansas where he continues his family’s agricultural legacy as a third-generation farmer. He said his father is the inspiration behind his continued love for of the land. His father instilled in him to concentrate on the things you 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, he’s a part of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board where 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 switched to grains with soybeans continuing 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 the checkoff dollars for research that promotes 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 over time, Matt would like to see an emphasis in making Arkansas a bigger player in this industry. As a result, Arkansas soybean producers would have more market opportunities.