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Grain Warehouses

Arkansas Grain Warehouses Program Overview

The Arkansas Grain Warehouses Program, managed by the QCC Section of Plant Industries Division of the AR Department of Agriculture, ensures grain owners’ protections through licensing, financial assurance, recordkeeping, and inspection. This program exists under the authority of the Arkansas Public Grain Warehouse Laws, A.C.A. § 2-17-201, 2-17-301, & 2-17-401 et seq.   

Any entity storing, handling, or selling grain on behalf of others must hold a valid AR Grain Warehouse License from this program, unless otherwise exempt under federal law.

LIST OF ARKANSAS LICENSED PUBLIC GRAIN WAREHOUSES

LIST OF FEDERALLY LICENSED PUBLIC GRAIN WAREHOUSES

For questions, email [email protected] or call (501) 219-6350.

SLOW-PAY HOTLINE FOR GRAIN SALES: (501) 219-6308 or email [email protected]

Arkansas Grain Warehouse Licenses

Licenses are issued on the fiscal calendar-year basis, July 1 – June 30 of each year.

Renewal applications are due to this office no later than May 31 of each year.

  • WHO MUST OBTAIN A LICENSE:
    • Any person or business storing grain for the public in Arkansas.
    • Exemptions: Private on-farm storage for personal use and Federal Grain License holders.
      • Federal Grain Warehouse License Holders MUST submit copies of issued license reports to this office annually.
  • APPLICATION PROCESS & FEES:
    • Forms for this program are located below.
    • Submit a “NEW GRAIN WAREHOUSE LICENSE APPLICATION,” with the required licensing fee of $150.00.  
    • You will be required to submit a current financial statement prepared by a CPA.
    • You will also be required to submit a “CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE ON STORED GRAIN,” prepared by an insurance agent or company.
    • Renewal fees are based on warehouse capacity. See program’s Rules.
  • POSTAGE REQUIRED:
    • Once issued a license certificate from this program, it must be posted in a conspicuous place.
    • The facility’s “Schedule of Charges” must also be posted in a conspicuous place.
      • If a facility makes changes to their schedule of charges, the licensed facility must submit in writing to this office showing the change at least thirty (30) days before its effective date.

Arkansas Grain Warehouse Law & Rules

  • STATUTORY BASIS:
    • The Arkansas Public Grain Warehouse Laws outline the licensing, bonding, inspection, and reporting requirements for grain warehouses.
  • GRAIN WAREHOUSE LICENSING:
    • Any person or business storing grain on behalf of others in Arkansas must first be licensed from this program.
  • FINANCIAL ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:
    • Licensed grain warehouses must maintain a bond, irrevocable letter of credit, or certificate of deposit in an amount of their licensed capacity.
    • New warehouses must provide a minimum financial surety of $50,000.
  • BOND REQUIREMENTS:
    • Licensed warehouses must maintain a bond set at a rate per bushel of licensed capacity.
    • Bonds ensure payment to depositors in case of warehouse failure or default.
    • Proof of bond renewal must be submitted with annual license renewal application.
  • WAREHOUSE RECEIPTS:
    • Warehouses must issue a receipt for all grain received for storage.
    • Receipts must include: depositor’s name, quantity and kind of grain, date of delivery, and storage terms.
    • Duplicate records must be kept for Department inspection.
  • OPERATING REQUIREMENTS:
    • Warehouses must maintain facilities in proper condition to safely store grain.
    • Operators must maintain accurate daily position records (receipts, loadouts, balances).
    • Grain stored for depositors must not be commingled with company-owned grain in a way that jeopardizes depositor interests.
    • Warehouses must maintain and submit a complete list of Grain Graders working at the facility.
  • INSPECTION & RECORDKEEPING:
    • Grain warehouses must retain and maintain all records of grain received, stored, and shipped for a minimum of three (3) years, including all receipts.
      • All receipts issued for grain stored in a grain warehouse shall conform to the requirements of the AR Public Grain Warehouse Law and associated Rules.
    • Warehouses are inspected at least once annually.
    • The Department reserves the right to inspect or audit the books of any licensed grain warehouse. Records must be available upon request.

DEPARTMENT RULES WEBPAGE

Please review the entire Act and associated Rules, located at the link above.

Arkansas Grain Warehouse Forms:

New applications are accepted at any time; renewal applications are due to this office no later than May 31 of each year.

NOTE: Some forms require submission directly from the insurance company or financial agent/institution/CPA. A form may also need to be notarized. Follow instructions on forms carefully.

FORM SUBMISSION: Grain Program Forms may be submitted via email to [email protected] or via post mail to the Department of Agriculture.

  • Forms submitted via email: Payments to the program may be made using the online payment portal link below.
  • Forms submitted via post mail: Mail your check or money order with the associated form to the Department.

Arkansas Grain Warehouse Program Fees

  • NEW APPLICATION FEE: $150.00 for newly organized companies.  
  • RENEWAL FEES: Based on licensed capacity (refer to Rules Section IV).  
  • SURETY AMOUNT: Based on warehouse capacity (refer to Rules Section III).

ONLINE PAYMENT PORTAL

Online Payment Portal Instructions:

  • Complete all fields in the payment portal, ensuring your name matches the name on your submitted application. Make sure no information is left blank.
  • When prompted to search for a product, search for “GRAIN WAREHOUSE.”
  • Select the product line needed, either for NEW applicants or RENEWING applicants: “PUBLIC GRAIN WAREHOUSE RENEWAL” or “PUBLIC GRAIN WAREHOUSE LICENSE (NEW)”
    • For renewal payments, calculate last year’s warehouse capacity from July 1 – June 30. Use capacity amounts in bushels.  
    • Locate the fee schedule in the program’s Rules under Section IV. Take the total calculated bushels amount to determine the renewal fee.  
    • Check your bond/surety amount by referring to Section III of the program’s Rules. Confirm that your surety or bond amount matches your licensed storage capacity. If storage capacity changes, update your bond, letter of credit, or certificate of deposit before submitting your renewal application.
    • Locate the proper renewal fee line for your calculated renewal amount, changing the quantity amount to get to your calculated total.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page, click “update,” and verify the Total Amount.
  • Click “Pay” and enter your Card/Billing Information. 
  • Retain the payment confirmation information with your files. You may be asked to provide a Receipt or Confirmation Number.

Enforcement, Penalties, & Violations

The AR Grain Warehouse Program is managed by the QCC Section at the AR Department of Agriculture. The Department is responsible for enforcing licensing, bonding, recordkeeping, reporting, and financial obligations for public grain warehouses in Arkansas. The Department may conduct audits, inspections, and verify compliance with statutory requirements.

  • Operating without a license, knowingly and intentionally violating the law, or refusing inspection: Class D Felony
  • Negligent violations: Class A misdemeanor
  • Civil fines up to $1,000 per violation
  • Immediate license suspension may occur for failure to maintain financial assurance, failure to allow inspection, or failure to comply with reporting requirements.

Grain Warehouse Resources: