Arkansas Strawberry Discovery Farm

Research-based recommendations and trainings for sustainable strawberry practices in Arkansas have previously been lacking. To demonstrate real-world application of sustainable practices to small-scale strawberry producers and agriculture agents (UADA, NRCS, etc.), an Arkansas Strawberry Discovery Farm was established in 2022 in collaboration with Randy Arnold of Arnold Family Farm in Alma, Arkansas.

Strawberry Discovery Farm Goals:

• Provide strawberry producers and agricultural professionals (extension agents, NRCS agents, etc.) with on-farm demonstration of sustainable practices
• Increase adoption of sustainable practices for small-scale strawberry producers

Project Leads

Dr. Amanda McWhirt

Horticulture Production Extension Specialist

501-671-2229

amcwhirt@uada.edu

 

Dr. Aaron Cato

Horticulture IPM Extension Specialist

479-249-7352

acato@uada.edu

Farm Collaborator

Randy Arnold and his wife, Vickie, have owned and operated Arnold Family Farm in Alma, Arkansas, for more than 30 years. After producing beef cattle and chickens for 20 years, they decided to diversify the farm and fulfill a community need by growing strawberries. Now with 5 acres of strawberries, Randy sells his berries via U-Pick and through his farm store where he also has seasonal produce grown on the farm or from other local farms. Randy is an integral part of his community and contributes to local farm-to-school programs. Each year he hosts more than 1,000 students at his "Fun on the Farm," an on-farm festival for youth to learn about agriculture.. With his large network and participation with the Mid-American Strawberry Growers Association, Randy was an ideal candidate to host Arkansas' second horticulture discovery farm and help reinforce the real-world application of sustainable practices in annual strawberry plasticulture production.

On-Farm Demonstrations

• Biodegradable mulch
• Plug plant soil inoculants
• Irrigation
• Organic herbicides

Resources

• MP560: Sustainable Practices for Plasticulture Strawberry Production in the South, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
• 2021 Strawberry School Webinar Series, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
• 2024 Southeast Regional Strawberry Integrated Pest Management Guide Focused on Plasticulture Production, University of Georgia Extension
• Sustainable Strawberry Production Series, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
• 2024 Strawberry Nutrient Monitoring Program, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

This project is supported by the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant program.