David W. Hillman

A fourth-generation farmer, David Hillman is one of just 10 men to serve as president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, the state’s leading agricultural advocacy organization. In 2012 he was elected as state representative for District 13, which encompasses parts of Arkansas, Lonoke, Prairie and White counties. He currently serves as vice chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development. He also serves on the House Committee for Public Transportation and the Legislative Join Auditing Committee. A rice farmer, Hillman has served on the board of Producers Rice Mill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Advisory Committee (Rice) and the U.S.A. Rice Council board. He is past chairman of the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board and served as a director for the Arkansas County Conservation District. In 1980, he was chosen Arkansas Outstanding Young Farmer and, in 1984, he and his family were selected as North Arkansas County Farm Family of the Year. The Arkansas County native was elected to the Arkansas Farm Bureau board of directors in 1995 and after serving as secretary-treasurer and vice president, was elected president of the organization in 1999, a post he held until 2003. One of his most memorable accomplishments was leading a delegation of Arkansas farmers and Farm Bureau officers, along with U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln and First District Congressman Marion Berry to Cuba to meet with Fidel Castro and explore trade opportunities. This leadership position, along with serving on the Producers Rice Mill and USA Rice Council board of directors for a combined 24 years, prepared Hillman to seek and be elected to serve and represent farmers and rural Arkansans at the state capitol. As a rice farmer from the Grand Prairie, Hillman understands the need for water conservation and, in 2005 was named the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts Conservationist of the Year. Hillman grew his first crop of rice and soybeans in 1969 and, through his service in the state House of Representatives, continues to be an advocate for Arkansas agriculture and the rice industry to this day.