Arkansas Farmer Turns Politician, Challenges Cotton

0:00On March 1st, Halley Schofner, an Arkansas farmer with nearly 10 years in the business, shut down her family farm this February 2025. Because of tough finances, now she's jumping into politics running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate in the 2026 midterms to challenge Republican incumbent Tom, cotton and push for better support for the state's agriculture. Farmers across Arkansas face rising costs for fertilizer, chemicals, and equipment, with no government help after the 2018 bailouts. Inflation hit hard during the pandemic, squeezing profit margins on main crops like soybeans and rice, which sell cheap after processing. Many producers borrow heavily just to stay afloat, rolling debts year to year in hopes of better yields. But even the savvious ones struggle to break even, leading to widespread farm closures, including century-old family operations that carry a deep, emotional toll. Most agriculture leaders note an estimated $1.5 billion loss this year alone, worsening

1:02mental health challenges in the industry. Schofner points out how elected officials seem out of touch, with cotton living outside Arkansas since high school and offering limited help to. Constituents As a board member with the Arkansas Food Bank, Schofner wants to shift toward a sustainable food system in the Delta, growing more local produce. Instead of export crops to tackle hunger and poverty. Schofner champagne highlights these grass-roose issues, as she builds momentum ahead women. Her campaign highlights these grass-roose issues, as she builds momentum ahead. Bill responsibility At提comENT Потому-etta