Arkansas is a Natural Resource Haven: From Rice to Natrual Gas

Arkansas is one of those states many people seldom think about. It has hardly been a great attractor for high-paying jobs or millionaires (though many people do retire here due to the lower cost of living and rich heritage). Our only boast to fame is former President Bill Clinton and now presidential hopeful Hillary. However, with a little investigation, many would realize what a true gem lays in the heartland of America.

A little over 15 years ago, there was a study done of each state and how each would fair if interstate commerce were to stop. Arkansas was found to have the most natural resources which could enable its residents to survive far longer than any other without the aide of outside help simply due to the abundance of natural resources.

Webster's Dictionary defines a natural resource as any material found in the environment that is useful to us. Natural resources provide food, fuel, water and trees and can be something as simple or as awesome as the sun and wind.

If you are curious enough to do so, go down to the local Wal-Mart and look at the labels on the food. I found beans, rice, milk, honey, eggs, fruits and vegetables all grown in Arkansas. Other natural resources which can be found in the state include coal, oil, trees, springs, rivers, wildlife (deer, bear, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, birds) and vast farmland growing things like cotton, beans, rice, corn, and tomatoes. There is other farming such as poultry, diary and cattle. One of the nation's top chicken producing plants is an Arkansas company.

There are resources in Arkansas that have only just begun to be tapped into. One of these is natural gas. Many families even in our area of Northeast Arkansas (Stone County area) have found their farmlands sought after for this very reason.

Another surprising natural resource in our state is diamonds. Diamonds have many uses and only a small percentage of them have to do with jewelry. A whopping 80% are used for industrial purposes like diamond cutting and for bearings used in lab instruments.