News - October 2022

Researchers receive $550,000 USDA-NIFA grant to develop farmers market food safety game

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Food safety education for small producers will take on an interactive gaming form with the help of a collaborative $550,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Pioneer Arkansas grape grower, winemaker Mathew Post leaves legacy with Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Mathew Joseph Post Sr., a pioneer in the Arkansas grape-growing and winemaking industry who collaborated with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station on numerous grape and wine research projects, has died at the age of 97.

Food science graduate students win 10 awards in Arkansas food protection contest

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Nine University of Arkansas graduate students in food science combined for 10 awards for their presentations at a poster contest sponsored by the Arkansas Association of Food Protection.

Arkansas breweries partner in Arkansas Ag Experiment Station hops study

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Horticulture researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station have partnered with three breweries across the state in a quality research study of hops grown in Arkansas with a public release set Nov. 5 in Siloam Springs.

Cooperative Extension Service to host Arkansas Veterans' Small Business Summit

LITTLE ROCK — For veterans who own and operate small businesses, accessing available resources is critical to financial success and longevity. Arkansas veteran business owners will have an opportunity to learn about programs and services designed to help their businesses succeed at the Arkansas Veterans’ Small Business Summit, hosted by the Cooperative Extension Service’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center on Nov. 4.

New Arkansas 4-H Video Crew members to train in video production

LITTLE ROCK — In an increasingly digital world, young people need to develop the technical skills necessary for success in many career paths. For students interested in video technology, the Arkansas 4-H Video Crew offers an opportunity for hands-on learning with industry professionals.

National Ag Law Center Continues ‘Growing Careers’ webinar series on Nov. 2

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Agricultural Law Center is hosting a webinar as part of its “Growing Careers” series. The upcoming webinar, “Growing Careers in Agricultural and Food Law for Undergraduate Students,” features Marla Dickerson, associate vice chancellor of innovation and strategic partnerships and initiatives for the Southern University Law Center.

Arkansas soybean researchers breed for 'plasticity' in varioius environments

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Development of drought-tolerant soybean varieties will increase sustainability and economics of production, but current research indicates these varieties may perform poorly in the absence of drought. Larry Purcell has his sights set on what he considers an ideal genotype — soybean varieties that can grow well in both dry and water-rich environments.

Arkansas Forestry Association honors Cooperative Extension’s McPeake as educator of the year

LITTLE ROCK — Becky McPeake, professor and extension wildlife specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been honored by the Arkansas Forestry Association as educator of the year.

Westerman tours Southwest Research and Extension Center during agriculture tour

HOPE, Ark. — From the global economy and supply chain to the global climate and regional weather patterns, perhaps no industry is as affected by external forces as agriculture. For better or worse, that makes farming a primary concern of political representatives at every level — especially in a state dominated by agriculture.

National 4-H Hall of Fame inducts UA Little Rock chancellor emeritus

LITTLE ROCK — Joel Anderson’s journey from growing up in Swifton, Arkansas, to being chancellor emeritus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has had a running theme: his appreciation for and support of Arkansas 4-H.

National Clean Plant Center for Berries expands capabilities with new home

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Clean Plant Center for Berries at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station is moving into a renovated laboratory, expanding its capability to assure that nurseries and growers have plants free of harmful pathogens.

Technological advances for turfgrass management a focus of new faculty member

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Drones and GPS technology are some of the emerging tools in the treatment of turfgrass diseases, and Wendell Hutchens hopes to find the best uses for these technologies in his new role with the turfgrass research program at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

Artificial intelligence programmer in ag tech named ABI New Investigator of the Year

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A major intersection of agriculture and technology today is in artificial intelligence and machine learning to process massive amounts of data from those quadcopters buzzing over crop fields.

Arkansas study shows soil nutrient levels can vary when soil is very dry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Very dry conditions, like those seen in most of Arkansas this fall, impact two aspects of soil sampling that make it hard to measure how much phosphorus and potassium are in a field.

Cooperative Extension Service summer internship program alumna plans for career in extension

WARREN, Ark. — When considering whether to pursue a summer internship, Rayvin Callaway has three words of career advice: “Just try it.” Callaway was among the first class of Cooperative Extension Service interns since the institution reintroduced the program in 2022, working a 10-week paid summer internship at the Bradley County Extension Office.

Undergraduate student research highlighted in 2022 issue of Discovery Journal

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The latest edition of Discovery, the undergraduate research journal of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, features original research and independent creative projects from 10 student scientists at the University of Arkansas.

Blankets, boxes, moist soil can help protect garden against freeze, frost

UNDATED — With freeze warnings and watches covering much of Arkansas on Monday, gardeners are being advised to give their plants some protection.

Flavor chemist joins experiment station, Bumpers College food science faculty

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Scott Lafontaine, assistant professor in food chemistry, joined the department of food science at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas to investigate the chemical components that impart desirable smells, tastes and mouthfeels to drinks and foods.

Longtime extension agent appointed consumer horticulture educator, Arkansas Master Gardener coordinator

LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service has a new consumer horticulture educator who will lead statewide outreach and coordinate Master Gardener programs.

Giant dust devil turns Tuesday into 'Windsday' at rice research center

GREENFIELD, Ark. — Tuesday was a real whirlwind of a day for Tim Burcham.

Cooperative Extension Service welcomes new weed specialist to horticulture faculty

LITTLE ROCK — Hannah Wright-Smith, new extension weed specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, is looking forward to helping county extension agents make a difference in the lives of their constituents.

With Mississippi River shipping at a crawl, farmers seeing prices for their grain falling

LITTLE ROCK — Farmers faced with high fuel and fertilizer costs this growing season could at least look for consolation in relatively high commodity prices. However, even that right spot may be slipping away as low water on the Mississippi River slows shipping and keeps grain backing up at local elevators.

Cattle improvement professor receives award for his contributions

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Reproductive technologies are some of the most powerful means for genetic improvement in cattle, but tools like artificial insemination are not widely used. Charles Richard Looney, professor of genetic improvement in cattle for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, wants to improve the industry through research and outreach on reproductive technologies.

Poultry biosecurity webinars set for Oct. 18, 20 following confirmed case of avian influenza

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Following confirmation of a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Madison County, the Cooperative Extension Service has scheduled two webinars for backyard poultry flock owners with tips to keep their birds safe.

Club fundraiser provides students first-hand experience in commercial food processing

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — At the Arkansas Food Innovation Center, the arrival of fall is announced by the sweet aroma of apples, cinnamon and allspice as students cook up a ton of apple butter, a Food Science Club fundraiser that has been going on for nearly three decades.

Howard County team competes in National 4-H Food Challenge finals

LITTLE ROCK — A team of Arkansas 4-H members celebrated National 4-H Week by competing in the National 4-H Food Challenge finals and returning home with a sixth-place win.

Arkansas rice blast research garners $1M National Science Foundation award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — An Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station microbiologist has won a National Science Foundation award to continue research on a fungal pathogen that threatens global food security.

New poultry science researcher plans to pursue foodborne pathogen control

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Tomi Obe, new assistant professor with the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and department of poultry science, is eager to find ways to identify and control foodborne pathogens in the poultry industry.

Persistent avian influenza outbreaks pushing up turkey, poultry prices

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Expect to pay more for the Thanksgiving turkey as growers continue to deal with a potent and persistent strain of avian influenza.

Arkansas agriculture connected to $2.8B USDA Climate-Smart Commodities initiative 

HUMNOKE, Ark. —Arkansas has connections to several projects being funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s $2.8 billion Climate-Smart Commodities program aimed at reducing greenhouse gases, improving carbon storage and developing new revenue streams for small and underserved farmers. 

Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council provides big picture look at Arkansas ag as it hosts Country Women's Council USA, international affiliate president

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — A three-day conference hosted by the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council provided a window in to Arkansas agriculture for the global head of the Associated Country Women of the World.

Research uncovers 2 pathways to herbicide resistance in weedy rice

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Researchers in Arkansas and Missouri have confirmed two genetic pathways that lead to herbicide resistance in weedy rice, a major pest for Arkansas rice growers.

Oct. 19 webinar to focus on impact of drought on crop insurance

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As drought continues to expand and intensify across the United States, farmers need to understand what crop insurance can and can’t do — which will be the topic of the Oct. 19 webinar from the National Agricultural Law Center.

Is fall too late to apply fire ant controls?

LITTLE ROCK — Extension entomologist Kelly Loftin says he’s gotten fewer calls about fire ants this year, thanks to persistent drought.