The State of Arkansas denied a request for an emergency declaration to provide former contract farmers for Cooks Venture with financial assistance.
Last week, State Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, wrote a letter to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward. The letter pointed out the need for an emergency declaration.
“I am writing to express my utmost concern regarding the closing of Cooks Venture and resulting possible euthanization of more than 1 million chickens. This matter significantly affects poultry growers, involves serious animal welfare and disease concerns, and creates environmental issues. The impact of the volume of decaying birds to be disposed of is an economic nightmare, and it should not be the burden of growers,” wrote King.
“We need to provide full compensation to the growers, feed suppliers and any entity related to helping the situation. The company is under financial duress, and at this time, the state needs to assume responsibility. It is my hope the state can recoup the cost at a later date.”
Cooks Venture recently announced that would cease operations, citing financial difficulties and the inability to find a buyer for the company. Contract growers for the company were informed that their chickens would be euthanized.
Ward responded to King in the form of a letter, writing that the Arkansas Department of Agriculture “respectfully declined” his request, saying that “the proper role of government does not include state assumption of private debts,” and if the state government did so, it would be going “beyond the scope of appropriate state action.”
“Our farmers are the greatest in the world. And we can compete with anyone so long as markets remain free and fair. Unfortunately, because granting your request would be contrary to those values, your request must be declined," Ward wrote.
Cooks Venture was founded in 2019 by Matthew Wadiak, former chief operating officer of Blue Apron. The company had operations in Arkansas and Missouri.
King is also the owner of Triple K Farms in Green Forest, his website states, and according to a report from KY3, is a poultry grower himself.
