News - February 2018

High water prompts postponement of Women Owning Woodlands workshop

LITTLE ROCK — High water at DeGray Lake Resort State Park has prompted postponement of the Women Owning Woodlands workshop.

Flooded wells could mean contaminated water supply

LITTLE ROCK – When flooding submerges wellheads, there’s a good chance the well water supply has been contaminated, said Mike Daniels, water quality specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Super Sammy takes to the web to promote stormwater awareness

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Stormwater Education Program is bolstering its efforts to promote responsible stormwater management through the southeastern areas of the state with Super Sammy, the new face of stormwater awareness.

Annual meeting highlight of Faske’s term as society president

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Travis Faske can catch his breath now that he is immediate past president of the Southern Division of the American Phytopathological Society.

Upcoming integrated water management schools for 2018 growing season

STUTTGART, Ark. – Producers getting ready for 2018 row crop growing season have plenty of opportunities to sharpen their water management skills through schools being offered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Arkansans assessing storm damage to ag assets; 2^nd round of rain looms

KEISER, Ark. – Shawn Lancaster hasn’t slept much since Saturday night. Lancaster, Mississippi County extension agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture saw heavy damage to his home at Keiser as an EF-1 twister swept the county.

Division of Ag brings bees, backyard chickens, bicycle smoothies to Arkansas Flower and Garden Show

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Flower and Garden Show isn’t just the state’s largest show of its kind in, it’s also a one-of-a-kind gathering where the curious can learn all things horticulture, healthy foods and backyard science. 

Desha County 4-Her’s dig for clues to the past

MCGEHEE, Ark. –  Just underneath the earth’s surface lie clues to Arkansas’ past and a group of citizen scientists and 4-Her’s in Desha County are doing their part to uncover those clues.

Robinson named president-elect of professional association

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Julie Robinson, assistant professor of Program and Staff Development, has been named president-elect of the National Association of Extension Program and Staff Development Professionals.

Final NASS roundup for 2017: A great year for cotton, soybeans and corn; tough going for feed grains & forages

LITTLE ROCK —  With record yields for Arkansas cotton and soybeans, 2017 offered silver linings for the state as flooding cut the state's rice acreage and drought battered hay and winter wheat.

FBI recognizes Division of Agriculture in fight against weapons of mass destruction

LITTLE ROCK – The FBI has recognized the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture for its help in the agency’s efforts to fight agroterrorism over the last nine years.  

Division of Agriculture disaster prep, recovery resources available online

LITTLE ROCK – With flooding expected across large parts of Arkansas this week, the Cooperative Extension Service is ready with information to help prepare for and recovery from natural disasters. 

Now available: Online certification for Arkansas dicamba, Enlist 2,4-D applicators

LITTLE ROCK – Online training is open for Arkansas farmers seeking the mandatory license for ground applications of any dicamba or Enlist 2,4-D formulations in 2018.

4-H partners with JOANN Fabrics to help fund clubs, activities

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas 4-H, along with 4-H clubs around the country, are partnering with JOANN Fabrics in efforts to engage their respective communities and help raise funds for clubs and activities in their areas.

Division of Agriculture, Arkansas Soil Alliance announces $1 million grant

LITTLE ROCK – The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will receive nearly $1 million in grant funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to study the efficacy of cover crops and no-tillage techniques and their effect on overall soil health.

Forage recovery, weather outlook, livestock hauling rule changes on Feb. 22 AFGC agenda

LITTLE ROCK – Helping winter-damaged forage recover, getting the latest on the spring weather outlook and understanding changes in livestock hauling rules are on the agenda for the Feb. 22 Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council’s winter meeting in Conway.

Horticulture faculty earn multiple honors at Southern Region Horticultural Science meeting

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Horticulture faculty within the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have earned multiple honors from their peers at the Southern Regional American Society for Horticultural Science.

Pilots help Moving Manila Forward take flight for community improvements

MANILA, Ark. – Empty main streets, rundown buildings and abandoned business are sights many rural Arkansas citizens know all too well. With younger generations gravitating toward bigger cities, many rural towns just don’t see the revenues they used to. These are the factors that brought about Moving Manila Forward, a new organization that aims to keep Manila beautiful and thriving.

WOW 2018: Women Owning Woodlands conference at Lake DeGray State Park

LITTLE ROCK – If you’ve ever wondered if the woods on your property is healthy and how to manage it for future generations, be part of the Women Owning Woodlands conference March 8-9 at Lake DeGray State Park in Bismarck.

Registration for spring edition of Walk Across Arkansas opens Feb. 19

LITTLE ROCK – Having trouble motivating yourself to fit in your daily exercise? Walk Across Arkansas, one of the state’s largest public health initiatives, may be able to help.

Hogskin Forestry Competition offers youth a chance to hone their skills

CALHOUN COUNTY, Ark. – The year in skills-based competitions kicks off this week with the 2018 Hogskin Forestry Competition in Calhoun County.

Learn about timber marketing at Multi-County Forestry Workshop Feb. 27 in Calhoun Co.

FORDYCE, Ark. – If you’ve ever been curious about the value of the timber in woodlands, learn the skills you need to get into timber marketing at the Multi-County Forestry Workshop on Feb. 27 at Thornton.

Division of Ag hosts Feb. 15 fruit pruning workshop in Clarksville

LITTLE ROCK – Pruning is an essential skill for growing healthy fruit-producing vines, canes and trees and growers can learn best practices at a workshop Feb. 15 at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Fruit Research Station in Clarksville.

Pesticide application clinics set for February, March

BATESVILLE, Ark. –  Six pesticide application workshops are scheduled between Feb. 27 and March 8, to prep farmers for the 2018 growing season.

Soil & water conference marks 20^th anniversary

JONESBORO, Ark. – The Arkansas Soil & Water Conference celebrated its 20^th anniversary on Wednesday, bringing researchers and experts in the science underlying the health and success of farming in the Southern Plains with growers, consultants and other agriculture industry professionals.

Norsworthy named WSSA fellow, earns research awards; Meyer honored as outstanding grad student

WESTMINSTER, Colo. – Jason Norsworthy, weed scientist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, was honored by his peers as a fellow of the Weed Science Society of America. 

Division of Ag weed scientist Scott named president of Southern Weed Science Society

ATLANTA – Bob Scott, extension weed scientist for the University Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been named president of the Southern Weed Science Society.