For Extension personnel, heat is just part of the job
June 28, 2018
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- Heat advisories in effect for all but four counties in the Ozarks
- Heat indices to approach or exceed 105 through the weekend
(240 words)
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POCAHONTAS, Ark. – For extension personnel with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, heat is just part of the job.
With heat advisories in effect for all but four counties in Arkansas on Thursday, tactics for staying cool was top of mind for agents, farmers and others whose work is outdoors.
“Drink lots of water, try to do field visits as early as possible,” said Mike Andrews, Randolph County extension staff chair for the Division of Agriculture. “But I have been in the field most of the time this week, and I gotta go when it’s ‘go time’.
“I might drop by a rice field in a little while and take a dunk or two,” he said.
Nita Cooper, Boone County extension staff chair, said that during 4-H junior camp held earlier this week, “we kept reminding 4-Hers to fill up water bottles and drink.”
In White County, Extension Agent Sherri Sanders keeps “iced bottled water in my truck and when I spray demo plots I do it early before work or later after work.”
In Jackson County, Extension Agent Matthew Davis uses “autostart on my truck to cool it down before I get there.” He also looks for the shade trees; wears shorts and brings a change of clothing to work.
However, even the best laid plans for dodging the heat don’t always work.
Robert Goodson, Phillips County extension agent for the Division of Agriculture, recommends “staying inside after lunch. Now, if I could just figure out how to do that.”
The National Weather Service at Little Rock said heat indices were expect to reach or exceed 105 degrees through the weekend.
For more information on summer heat safety, see: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/media-resources/news/2018/june2018/06-01-2018-Ark-summertime-safety.aspx
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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By Mary Hightower
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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