April 22, 2022
Earth Day, every day
Sustainability for our communities and natural resources is the cornerstone of our extension and research work at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. While we have dozens of sustainability efforts at work, here's a sampling of the ways in which our faculty and staff help agriculture maintain the quality of our water, soil and other aspects of everyday life.
Center for Arkansas Farms and Food teaching sustainable farming methods
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Learning to grow hard-working cover crops are one of several
sustainability practices implemented at the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food Farm,
located at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Research Center
in Fayetteville.
Tailwater recovery research shows significant water savings in row rice
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers are steadily
improving water conservation tactics. They can now grow rice with about half the irrigation
water used in levee rice systems.
Nitrous oxide study points to tailwater recovery irrigation to cut greenhouse gases
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — One way to cut greenhouse gas emissions in rice cultivation could
be as simple recycling irrigation water.
Five-day tour offers college ag students a bird’s eye view of state’s top industry
LITTLE ROCK — College students studying agriculture have many potential career paths
into the state’s largest industry. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
hopes to spotlight some of the agriculture industry’s resources and job opportunities
during a five-day tour for college juniors and seniors.
Researchers investigate health impacts of residual pesticides on wild bees
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Farmers know not to apply pesticides on their fields during flowering
season when bees are present. But wild bees can come into contact with pesticide residues,
in some cases, for months after spraying.
Soybean researcher hunts genetics of drought tolerance from the air
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Larry Purcell counts on clear skies to find the genes that control
drought tolerance in soybeans. He identifies regions on soybean chromosomes associated
with drought tolerance, providing soybean breeders with a valuable tool for developing
improved crops that can thrive when water gets scarce.
Poultry science researchers fine tune chicken sprinkler technology
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It may sound counterintuitive, but chickens can stay cooler in
hotter environments if it is a dry heat. They just need a little spritz of water every
now and then, and a breeze to create a windchill effect.
Solar proving a good investment for poultry farms
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Use of solar energy, net metering and grants from the U.S. Department
of Agriculture have shown significant benefits for a Cleveland County poultry grower,
said Yi Liang, associate professor-biological and agricultural engineering for the
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
SIDEBAR: Keys to solar: Net metering, meter aggregation, financial incentives
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A combination of policy and financial incentives have opened
the door to solar for agriculture operations in Arkansas.
VIDEO (2 minutes):Arkansas poultry growers find solar power a benefit to the bottom line
SUSTAINABILITY SAMPLER— A page with further examples of the work being done in sustainability.
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Media contact:
Mary Hightower
Chief Communications Officer
U of A System Division of Agriculture
mhightower@uada.edu