U.S. Representative Benny Petrus

The late Benny Petrus spent most of his 70 years raising crops and building businesses in or near his hometown of Stuttgart.

Petrus attended the University of Central Arkansas for two years, playing baseball for the Bears and then selling cars around Central Arkansas before returning in 1990 to Arkansas County. He would eventually build, own and/or operate five agricultural businesses, two automobile dealerships and serve in the Arkansas House of Representatives (2003-2008).

Benny Petrus Farms, Circle P Farms, Adams Fertilizer Equipment, Bingham Ag and Delta Wings Farm were led by the 1975 Stuttgart High graduate. Petrus started his first farm at Dewitt in 2000, established Circle P Farms in 2009 at Stuttgart, became a partner in Bigham Ag of Carlisle and owner of Delta Wings in McGehee in 2024. 

Petrus employed innovative ways to conserve resources on his farms for decades, including digging ditches to hold runoff water for reuse on his farm. He championed issues in agriculture, education, economic development, environmental conservation and child protection at the state capitol. Friends says Petrus was gifted in bringing people together to share knowledge and support of future agricultural leaders.