Dec. 18, 2020
‘Virtual Field Trip’ series to expand soil and water health conservation outreach efforts in 2021
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Five-part series launched in November; will continue in 2021
- Series explores sustainable, profitable agriculture and marketing
- Series funded through USDA NRCS grant
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LITTLE ROCK — Outreach educators with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will continue an online video series focused on sustainable agriculture in 2021.
Rita Watson, virtual education program associate for the Division of Agriculture, said the “Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture” series, which produced its initial episode in November 2020, will expand into a five-part series in the new year. The series is part of a larger project known as the Soil and Water Conservation Virtual Field Trip Series.
Different episodes in the series will focus on various commodity crops commonly grown in Arkansas, such as soybeans, rice, cotton and poultry, as well as market conditions and marketing opportunities, Watson said.
“The purpose is to educate our producers, county extension agents, crop consultants, industry partners, high school science students and the public about our research-based practices that have been proven on local farms, to conserve water, improve water quality and soil health,” Watson said. “These soil and water conservation practices offer cost and labor benefits as well. The goal is to distribute these educational sessions using a cost-effective method that is easily accessible and convenient for our audience.”
The five-part series on agricultural sustainability began in November, focusing on the connections between farmer and retailer. Watson said that future episodes, which are already in production, will feature discussions with researchers, producers, and industry partners about the sustainability standards of today and tomorrow.
“We will educate our audience on the standards that producers are required to meet if they want to partner with retailers,” Watson said. “We will discuss how our farm-based research has helped local farmers to meet those standards.”
The series is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Julie Robinson, associate professor of leadership for the Division of Agriculture, is the principle for the grant. The production team for the series includes Watson, Mike Daniels, professor of crop, soil and environmental science; Mike Hamilton, irrigation educator; Bill Robertson, extension cotton agronomist; Lee Riley, environmental science and crop management program associate; Kerry Rodtnick, extension videography specialist; and Mary Poling, interactive communication coordinator. All are employees of the Division of Agriculture.
The first video in the series, originally broadcast Nov. 17, can be viewed at https://youtu.be/KRDWFmhXUS4. To see all videos produced by the Division of Agriculture, visit https://bit.ly/2Wo94T6.
To learn more about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
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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Media contact:
Ryan McGeeney
Communications Services
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu