Sept. 29, 2021
‘Experience Arkansas Agriculture’ campaign aims to connect farmers and consumers
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Video series helps Arkansas growers connect with potential customers
- Arkansas has more than 1,500 farmers and ranchers who do direct-to-consumer marketing
- ‘Marketing Your Agricultural Experience’ webinar streaming Sept. 30, 9 a.m. (CDT)
(360 words)
LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service has developed a series of videos intended to help growers develop stronger connections to both existing and potential customers.
The videos are at the heart of the “Experience Arkansas Agriculture” campaign, which launched this summer. The campaign, which focuses on relationship-based marketing approaches, will celebrate the ongoing effort with a free webinar, “Marketing Your Agricultural Experience,” at 9 a.m., CDT, on Sept. 30. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)
The videos are at the heart of the “Experience Arkansas Agriculture” campaign, which launched this summer. The campaign, which focuses on relationship-based marketing approaches, will celebrate the ongoing effort with a free webinar, “Marketing Your Agricultural Experience,” at 9 a.m., CDT, on Sept. 30.
Ron Rainey, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said that local food systems continue to thrive within the state, but that marketing is a constant challenge for many growers.
“The campaign features ways to leverage Division of Agriculture expertise and relationships, and highlights the numerous ways consumers can connect to and support agriculture.”
Rainey is head of the state’s Market Maker program, which has worked to help growers connect with customers for several years now. Rainey is also director of the Southern Risk Management Education Center, and was recently appointed as assistant vice president for the Division of Agriculture.
The video series collaborates with host Logan Duvall, who owns and manages the Me and McGee Market, located in North Little Rock. The series features segments shot at various farms all over the state, including aquaculture farms, walnut groves, watermelon patches and more.
“The segments highlight the diversity of Arkansas agriculture, as well as value-added linkages,” Rainey said.
The “Experience Arkansas Agriculture” segments have been airing twice a month on KATV in the Little Rock area.
“The television exposure has drastically enhanced the campaign’s engagement with consumers across the state,” Rainey said.
The campaign invites Arkansans and out-of-state visitors alike to experience the state’s rich variety of agriculture by learning about the hundreds of direct-to-consumer farming and ranching operations in Arkansas, shopping at any of the more than 100 farmer’s markets located in more than 60 counties, visiting the many “U-pick” operations, patronizing restaurants that prioritize locally-grown foods and more.
The webinar, which will stream from 9-11 a.m. on Sept. 30, is free to join. To register, visit
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
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