Discovery Farms Conference: Climate Smart Agriculture | Feb 13-14th, 2025
The Arkansas Discovery Farms Conference highlights advancements in climate smart agriculture.
This two-day event will feature engaging presentations, panel discussions, and opportunities to connect with farmer, industry, and research partners.
Where: Don Tyson Center for Agriscience in Fayetteville, AR
(View on Google Maps.)
Conference Highlights
- Day 1: Presentations and panel discussions focusing on farmer, industry, and research
collaborations.
- Day 2: Discover the latest research conducted by Arkansas Discovery Farms, including
findings on water and soil conservation practices.
- Student Poster Contest: Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to participate in a poster contest. Judging will take place the evening of Day 1, with prizes awarded on Day 2.
Agenda
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Day 1: Farmer Experience: On-Farm Conservation Efforts |
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8:30-9:00am |
Coffee Meet and Greet/Sign in |
Speaker |
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9:00-9:20am |
Welcome: Introduction and Background |
Mike Daniels |
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9:20-9:40am |
Keynote |
John Anderson |
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9:40-10:00am |
Irrigation Automation |
Wes Kirkpatrick & Mike Hamilton |
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10:00-10:20am |
Collaborative Efforts in Greene County |
Adam Eades |
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10:20-10:40am |
Session Break and Q&A |
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10:40-11:00am |
Sustainable Rice |
Bill Jones & Mike Daniels |
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11:00-11:50am |
Farmer Panel Discussion |
Panel 1* |
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11:50-12:00pm |
Morning Session Wrap-up and Q&A |
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12:00-1:00pm |
Lunch Recess |
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1:00-1:20pm |
Importance of Discovery Farm Program |
Debbie Moreland |
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1:20-2:10 pm |
Partner Panel Discussion |
Panel 2** |
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2:10-2:30pm |
UAPB Discovery Farm Education Center |
Tomekia White |
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2:30-2:50pm |
Expansion of Horticulture Discovery Farms |
Randy Arnold & Lizzy Herrea |
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2:50-3:00pm |
Session Wrap-up and Q&A |
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3:15-4:15 pm |
Reception and Poster Session: Alcove |
Poster Contestants |
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4:15-5:30 pm |
Hors d'oeuvre: Hall & Alcove |
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5:30pm |
End Day 1 |
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Day 2: Research Findings, Carbon & Climate Smart |
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8:00-9:00am |
Coffee/Breakfast |
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9:00-9:20am |
An Intro & Overview of Climate-smart Ag |
Chandler Arel |
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9:20-9:40am |
Greenhouse gas emissions from rotationally grazed pastureland |
Tyler Buchanan |
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9:40-10:00am |
Effects of Biochar on Soil Health Properties |
James Burke |
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10:00-10:20am |
Session Break and Q&A |
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10:20-10:40am |
Arkansas Discovery Watershed Program |
Shannon Speir |
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10:40-11:00am |
Native Effective Microbes for Soil Health |
Kishan Mahmud |
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11:00-11:20am |
Arkansas Discovery Farms Soil Health |
Grant Bennett |
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11:20-11:40pm |
Impact of Virtual Ag Education |
Rita Watson |
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11:40-12:00pm |
Morning Session Wrap-up and Q&A |
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12:00-1:00pm |
Keynote Speaker, Lunch, & Awards |
Amanda Mathis |
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1:00-1:20pm |
Poultry Litter Application to Row Crops |
Eric Simon |
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1:20-1:40pm |
Climate-Smart Ag Research on an ARDF |
Johnathan Brye |
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1:40-2:00pm |
Climate-Smart Commodities from Hardwood Restoration (Small-Underserved Landowners) |
Tian Nana |
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2:00-2:20pm |
Session Break and Q&A |
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2:20-3:00pm |
Conference Recap and Closing Remarks |
Mike Daniels |
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3:00 pm |
Adjourn |
Who Should Attend?
Producers, researchers, students, and anyone passionate about conservation and agriculture in Arkansas.
CEU credits will be available.
Check out photos from the 2022's conference!
Learn more about the Arkansas Discovery Farms Program and how they are helping determine the effectiveness of water and soil conservation practices on working farms. See the Discovery Farms in action!
