News - August 2019

‘Share Grounds’ rural kitchen incubators hosting informational booths at three county fairs in September

LITTLE ROCK – Food entrepreneurs who want to grow beyond their kitchens can learn more about Share Grounds, the kitchen incubator project from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, at three county fairs in September.

Glenn W. Hardy, former Bumpers College Dean, dies at age 95

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Glenn W. Hardy, for 22.5 years dean of U of A's then-College of Agriculture and Home Economics and a faculty member for 38 years, died on July 18. He was 95.

These routes were made for walkin’: Forrest City Safe Routes to School pop-up planned for Sept. 10.

FORREST CITY, Ark. – A one-day experiment to change traffic patterns in an area near a preschool, elementary and middle schools may one day lead to revitalization of a nearby park and playground on the south side of this city of about 15,000 people.

Association transfers student scholarships to Bumpers College

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Ozark Food Processors Association is contributing more than $190,000 to five endowed student awards in the department of food Science in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

What does Arkansas corn harvest hold in store?

MARIANNA, Ark. – The Arkansas corn harvest is going to be a drawn out affair this year.

Student intern gets research experience with Division of Agriculture scientist

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Alejandro Rojas, assistant professor of soilborne pathology and ecology for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, with the help of a University of Arkansas student intern, conducted studies this summer to see if specific bacteria can be used to fight certain plant diseases, and how those methods can potentially be transferred to help manage crops in the field.

Skunks, bats chief reservoirs for rabies in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – There have been 23 reports of animals testing positive for rabies, according to a year-to-date map released by the Arkansas Department of Health.

New online system streamlines soil testing at Marianna lab

MARIANNA, Ark. –  The newly installed Laboratory Information Management System, or LIMS, at the Soil Testing and Research Laboratory at Marianna will provide added convenience for soil test customers and streamline processing for those who analyze the samples. 

Rescheduled alfalfa field days to address use of cover crops to fight pigweed in September

POCAHONTAS, Ark. – Two upcoming field days will address the use of alfalfa as a cover crop and as an effective weapon in the ongoing war against Palmer amaranth, commonly known as pigweed.

National Ag Law Center continues to grow, hires two staff attorneys

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The National Agricultural Law Center, a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has grown by two this past summer after welcoming new staff attorneys Christina Cole and Brigit Rollins.

Outdoor summer camps and more make better health easier to achieve

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Eat your greens, get enough sleep and exercise — and now, make sure to spend enough time outside each week.

Family and farming have a special connection for Mississippi County agent

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ray Benson has watched his family come full circle in agriculture. Benson, Mississippi County Cooperative Extension staff chair since 2011, started his journey with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture in the summer of 1987. It was then, when he started working as a cotton scout for an extension integrated pest management project, that he began the journey that would shape the rest of his life.

International association recognizes Division of Agriculture food science professor

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The International Association of Food Protection recognized Steven C. Ricke, professor of food science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, with the 2019 Fellow Award on July 21.

Arkansas grown hops help put the “local” in craft brewed beers

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Locally brewed craft beers can be even more local when made with Arkansas grown hops. That was the consensus of 67 craft beer brewers, hops growers and budding hops growers who attended a hops workshop presented by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture at the Fruit Research Station Aug.15.

U of A follows turf program research for new stadium grass selection

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When the University of Arkansas Razorbacks take the field against Portland State in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Aug. 31, they’ll be hitting the gridiron on new grass.

Aug. 23 Cherry Valley Field Day POSTPONED

The field day in Cherry Valley, originally scheduled for Friday, Aug. 23, has been postponed.

Virtual field trips to bring hands-on soil health & water conservation research to Internet participants

STUTTGART, Ark. – Experts and researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be presenting two virtual field trips on Wednesday, Aug. 21, and are inviting anyone with an Internet connection to follow along.

Reminder: Field day to address use of alfalfa to fight pigweed this Friday

CHERRY VALLEY, Ark. – Herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth, commonly known as pigweed, can be a costly problem for farmers. As the weed becomes increasingly unfazed by available chemistries, some growers may find that reuniting with an older approach may be the new tool they’ve been seeking.

Division of Ag soybean breeding program seeking input through survey

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas growers are being asked their input on what qualities they’d like to see in soybeans bred by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

Division of Ag seeking participation in broadband speed test across state

LITTLE ROCK – Residents across Arkansas are invited to help identify areas of critical need for high-speed broadband Internet access, particularly in rural areas of the state.

Horticultural IPM specialist appointed director of Fruit Research Station

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Jackie Lee, associate professor and horticultural integrated pest management specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture since 2016, has been appointed resident director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station’s Fruit Research Station.

Extension Director Cartwright announces retirement plans for June 2020

LITTLE ROCK – The director of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service on Wednesday announced plans to retire in June 2020.  

Invasive plant and tree identifiers needed

MONTICELLO, Ark. – Are you interested in identifying invasive plant species and trees? Do you want to use technology to document your discoveries? The Arkansas Forest Resources Center, Forest Health Laboratory is seeking help in locating and identifying invasive plants. 

Arkansas earns 3rd national 4-H Forestry championship

WESTON, W.Va.  – Arkansas’ state champion 4-H forestry team has claimed its third national championship in four years. One of its members also earned the high point individual award.

NASS resurvey: Soybean acres lowest in more than 50 years; cotton acres grow again

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas’ soybean acreage has dropped to its lowest point since 1960, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service crops resurvey figures released Monday.

Crops research field day to offer insight into latest findings in agricultural research

MARIANNA, Ark. – Growers, consultants and other agriculture industry professionals are invited to see the latest in row crop research findings at the Crops Research Field Day, held at the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station in Marianna on Thursday, Aug. 15.

Advances in rice breeding, management systems on display during field day

STUTTGART, Ark. — Visitors got a first look at advanced hybrid rice breeding lines and furrow-irrigated rice research plots at a Rice Research and Extension Center field day Aug. 2.

Arkansas native uses artificial insemination to help improve state’s cattle industry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — One Arkansas native is looking to improve the state’s cattle industry through artificial insemination and is working to break the stigma around it.

Turfgrass field day engages industry with Division of Agriculture research

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — “There’s something about being able to walk on grass, to touch it and feel it,” Mike Richardson, Professor of turfgrass science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said. “It’s important to education to have that tactile connection.”

McWhirt named among 40 under 40 by horticulture industry magazines

LITTLE ROCK – Amanda McWhirt, extension commercial horticulture specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has been named among the 2019 Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40.

Two field days will address the use of alfalfa to fight pigweed

CHERRY VALLEY, Ark. – Agronomists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are testing an age-old approach to solving a modern-day farming problem: The increasingly prevalent Palmer amaranth, commonly known as pigweed.

Arkansas APEX Accelerator offering Aug. 7 course for manufacturers and machine shops seeking government contracts

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas manufacturers and machine shop owners interested in securing government contracts are invited to attend an Aug. 7 class with Arkansas APEX Accelerator — the Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Department of Community and Economic Development.

Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act explained in Aug. 21 webinar

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Because some crops, such as fresh fruit, are highly perishable, laws such as the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, or PACA, are in place to protect producers from unfair business practices.

International meeting recognizes Yanbin Li for contributions to food safety

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Yanbin Li, distinguished professor of biological and agricultural engineering, was recognized for his contributions to food safety at an international meeting of biological and agricultural engineers in July.