[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 11, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S7743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ARKANSAS FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate the 
DeSalvo family for earning the distinction of 2012's Arkansas Farm 
Family of the Year.
  This honor reflects the dedication of Tony DeSalvo, his son Phillip, 
daughter-in-law Beth, and grandchildren Benjamin and Isabelle to 
ranching and the importance of agriculture as Arkansas's No. 1 
industry.
  As owners of Big D Ranch, the DeSalvos oversee a 350-head commercial 
cow-calf operation. It is one of the largest herd of registered 
Ultrablack cattle in the State, and includes a 150-head of registered 
Ultrablack cattle 30 to 40 of which are registered bulls. The DeSalvos 
also grow around 900 acres of wheat and sorghum-sudan silage and 
Bermuda hay on the ranch. The DeSalvo family settled near Center Ridge 
in the late 1800s, and the family continues to work on that same land 
today. Phillip is passing along his passion for ranching with Benjamin 
and Isabella, and now they are learning the rewards of farm work.
  The Arkansas Farm Bureau's program honors farm families across the 
State for their outstanding work both on their farms and in their 
communities. This recognition is a reflection of the contribution to 
agriculture at the community and State level and its implications for 
improved farm practices and management. The DeSalvos are well-deserving 
of this honor.
  I congratulate Tony, Phillip, Beth, Benjamin, and Isabelle on their 
outstanding achievements in ranching and agriculture and ask my fellow 
colleagues to join me in honoring them for this accomplishment. I wish 
them continued success in their future endeavors and look forward to 
the contributions they will continue to offer Arkansas ranching and 
agriculture.

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