UACES Facebook Four States Agricultural Expo set for Feb. 10 in Texarkana
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Feb. 1, 2022

Four States Agricultural Expo set for Feb. 10 in Texarkana

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Fast Facts:

  • Extension experts from Arkansas, Texas to offer research-based information 
  • Multiple sessions available: horticulture, livestock, wildlife, pest management and more
  • Continuing education units (CEUs) available
  • All growers and producers invited; no registration required

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TEXARKANA, Ark. – The Four States Agricultural Expo returns on Feb. 10, bringing together growers and producers from a four-state area to learn about the latest research findings and resources available for row crops, commercial horticulture, livestock and forages, integrated pest management, feral hogs and wildlife, home gardening, lawn, pond and more.

The expo is scheduled from 8:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m. at the Four States Fairgrounds, 3700 E. 50th St. in Texarkana. The event is a joint project of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, with experts from both agencies presenting workshops throughout the day.

“This is an opportunity for our growers, cattle producers and homeowners to hear the latest research-based information from specialists and county agents — research that is conducted at local farms throughout the state,” Carla Due, the division’s Ouachita District director, said. “By disseminating this information in a timely manner, it can benefit their operation.”

The event is typically one of the larger gatherings of farmers and ranchers in the four-state area, although it was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers are planning for 300 people, Jennifer Caraway, an agent with the Division of Agriculture’s Miller County extension office, said. Caraway and Arkansas extension agents in Little River, Sevier, Polk and Hempstead counties served on the expo planning committee along with agents from Bowie, Morris and Red River counties in northeastern Texas.

“We’re offering 16 to 18 sessions throughout the day,” Caraway said. “We try to have a good variety so there’s something for everyone.”

The expo is free, open to the public and includes a hamburger lunch. There is a $10 fee for Texas Department of Agriculture license holders who wish to receive continuing education units for attending the workshops. As many as five continuing education units are available for licensed pesticide applicators, and as many as four units are available for certified crop advisors.

Concurrent programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. and include the following topics and speakers:

8:30 a.m.

  • Livestock Nutrition — Daniel Rivera, director of the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope, UADA
  • Pecan Orchard Management — Jackie Lee, associate professor, Fruit Research Station, UADA
  • Common Problems in Home Gardens — Brian Triplett, Red River County agent, and Robert Grant, Morris County agent, Texas A&M

9:45 a.m.

  • Aquatic Pond Weed Control — Blair Griffin, Johnson County agent, UADA
  • Managing External Parasites of Livestock — Sonja Swigger, Stephenville Research Center, Texas A&M
  • Blackberry and Blueberry Management — Monte Nesbit, Texas A&M Horticulture Sciences
  • Row Crop Weed Control — Tommy Butts, extension weed scientist, UADA

11 a.m. Sessions

  • Feral Hog Control — Jennifer Caraway, Miller County extension agent, UADA
    • Pest Control Around the Home and Farm — Sonja Swigger, Stephenville Research Center Texas A&M
  • Pecan Variety Production — Monte Nesbit, Texas A&M Horticulture Sciences

1 p.m.

  • Broadleaf Weed Control in Pastures — Blair Griffin, Johnson County agent, UADA
  • Using Annual Forages to Fill Gaps in Forage Production — Kenny Simon, program associate, UADA
  • Honeybee Pests Management — Jon Zawislak, entomology and plant pathology instructor, UADA
  • Rice Update — Jarrod Hardke, rice extension agronomist, UADA

2:15 p.m.

  • Safe Use of Farm Chemicals — Ples Spradley, pesticide assessment specialist, UADA
  • Arkansas Pesticide Applicator Training — Jennifer Caraway, Miller County extension agent, UADA
  • Texas Required Auxin Herbicide Training — Brian Triplett, Red River County agent, Texas A&M.

For more information, visit https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/4-states-ag-expo.aspx. 

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:
Tracy Courage
Director, Communications Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu 

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