WHEREAS: Agriculture is Arkansas’ largest industry and contributes over $19 billion to our state’s economy each year; 
 
WHEREAS: Egg production ranks among Arkansas’ top 5 agricultural commodities in cash receipts, valued at $693 million annually; 
 
WHEREAS:  Arkansas produces more than 4.15 billion shell eggs annually and ranks 8th in the nation for egg production and 1st in the nation for egg exports; 
 
WHEREAS:  Arkansas has seven egg processing facilities in Central and Northwest Arkansas committed to providing premium eggs and egg products; 
 
WHEREAS:  The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Livestock and Poultry Division has 15 shell egg inspectors that provide more than 14,000 man-hours each year to ensure the highest egg quality standards are met at egg processing facilities, restaurants, farmer’s markets, retail stores, and other points of sale; 
 
WHEREAS:  The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Livestock and Poultry Division annually issues more than 300 egg handling permits for the sale and distribution of eggs within the State of Arkansas to entities meeting the United States Department of Agriculture’s health, safety, and quality standards; and
 
WHEREAS:  Eggs are a good source of high-quality protein and other nutrients for children and adults including vitamin D, phosphorus, riboflavin, and selenium.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, Governor of the State of Arkansas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim May 2023, as
 

“ARKANSAS EGG MONTH”

 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed this 27th day of April, in the year of our Lord 2023.