Representing Rural

RCA Staffers Tanya Broadnax, Matt Grandon, Candy Webb, and Candace Williams sit down for a pre-Election Day 2024 conversation.

Kristin Higgins, Program Associate with UA System Division of Agriculture | Cooperative Extension Service, joins us to discuss the 2024 November Election Ballot Issues. Kristin gives a breakdown of each issue and what a vote for or against would mean for Arkansans. 

Dirk Merle was born in Columbus, Ohio, to a military family. He lived much of his life abroad and throughout the USA. Following in his father’s footsteps, he served in the US ARMY in both the 82nd Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps.

He has a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Arkansas Tech University and a Masters in Business Administration from the Jack Welch Management Institute, holding a Welch honors distinction. He studied Financial Management from Cornell University and Product Management from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University.

Merle’s worked in the food industry in various capacities over the last 25 years. He is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Value-Added Products Cooperative and currently serves as Director of Product Development, Sales, & Category Management for Olympia Foods in Chicago where he travels bi-weekly to work from his office there.

Dirk has served Searcy County as a past member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and won a 2020 Spirit of Searcy County Award from the Chamber.  He also earned the 2019 Arkansas Trails Volunteer of the Year award.

Dirk resides in Tilly with his wife, Chris.  He and his wife are avid cyclists, helping to organize the annual Pedestal Rock & Lick Fork Rides for the Witts Springs Community Voices Non-Profit. As a cycling adventurer, he’s one of fewer than 100 cyclists who’ve ever finished the prestigious Arkansas High Country Race (which travels through Searcy County), a 1000+ mile un-supported race through the Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. He’s also one of a handful of cyclists to complete the Ozark Grinder Trail, a route that travels through Searcy County and portions of Newton, Stone, Pope, and Van Buren Counties.

Dirk Merle is passionate about his Searcy County life and loves exploring Searcy County and sharing his experiences on social media. 

Dorothy Singleton is no stranger to rural advocacy. Once serving as the Lead Organizer for Rural Community Alliance, Singleton has always been keen on "lifting as you climb," recognizing the importance of bringing young people into the work to continue the fight for a just and thriving rural Arkansas. Retired, Singleton is continuing to volunteer in her community. Tune in for a rich conversation with one of the founders of Rural Community Alliance