Morris L. Bowman

Morris L. Bowman came from a large family and while many of his siblings chose to take up professions outside of farming, he chose to manage the family farm. Mr. Bowman has served in executive offices for numerous civic and agricultural organizations, including five terms as President of Arkansas Farm Bureau, from 1971-1976. He also served on the board of directors of American Farm Bureau Federation from 1974 to 1976. Mr. Bowman has served on the board of Jackson County Farm Bureau and the state board since 1958. He has also served as director of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company and Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc. He has been a director for Merchants and Planters Bank, Chairman of the country,ASC Committee, Chairman of his local 4-H, Director of the Newport School Board and Commissioner of the Arkansas Water Conservation Commission. Besides operating his farm, Mr. Bowman, with his sons, formed Bowman Manufacturing Company. This enterprise designs and manufactures specialized farm equipment. One reason this business was formed was to provide year-around jobs for his employees, many of whom had been on the family farm all of their careers. Mr. Bowman and his family were Jackson County Farm Family of the Year in 1956 and Mr. Bowman was named Progressive Farmer Magazine’s Man of the Year in Arkansas in 1972.