News - February

Feb. 29, 2024

Sherrie Smith retires after 18 years as manager of Arkansas Plant Health Clinic

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When Arkansans get stumped by plant problems — whether they’re a home gardener or a row crop farmer — the Arkansas Plant Health Clinic in Fayetteville is here to help. After 18 years of service, Sherrie Smith, plant pathologist and instructor for the clinic, will retire Feb. 29.

Feb. 28, 2024

National Ag Law Center webinar highlights urgency of Corporate Transparency Act with March webinar

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — If you own a small business, farm, or share beneficial ownership of an entity, you are likely subject to a new reporting requirement in 2024. The Corporate Transparency Act is directed at small businesses or entities who have beneficial owners, and failure to comply with reporting may result in criminal fines and penalties.

Feb. 28, 2024

Fed puts off interest rate cuts as consumers keep spending like it’s 2022

LITTLE ROCK — The Fed’s painstaking decisions to boost interest rates helped slow the economy, but a holiday-fueled acceleration may mean any cuts to the interest rates may be pushed past the second or third quarter this year.

Feb. 28, 2024

Protein specialist Samira Feyzi joins UA System food science department

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As the global population grows, food scientists like Samira Feyzi are exploring the world of plant proteins to broaden their use in human nutrition.

Feb. 28, 2024

Exchange program research provides critical nutrition recommendations in Tanzania

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Using a novel research methodology, researchers in the U.S. and Tanzania have identified new recommendations for reducing nutrient deficiency in the East African country.

Feb. 28, 2024

Arkansas food safety expert tackles produce packing with new grant

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Federal regulations say growers and packers must keep their produce packing areas clean and sanitary but don’t offer specific guidelines on how to do it. That’s where Arkansas food science professor Kristen Gibson comes in.

Feb. 28, 2024

Decreased corn acreage, poor rice milling yields among topics discussed at 2024 Arkansas production meeting

STUTTGART, Ark. — An anticipated drop in corn acreage for 2024 and less-than-impressive rice milling yields for 2023 were both topics of conversation for the 2024 Arkansas County Production Meeting.

Feb. 27, 2024

Daniel O’Brien presents Arkansas turfgrass research on world stage

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Daniel O’Brien has become a name to know in the world of turfgrass.

Feb. 27, 2024

Arkansas plant virologist consults on Clean Plant Program of India to improve nation’s agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world, but its lack of disease-free propagation material limits its yield potential, says Ioannis Tzanetakis, director of the Arkansas Clean Plant Center.

Feb. 23, 2024

Free soybean seeds available to school, community gardens to grow-your-own protein

LITTLE ROCK — When you’re planning your community garden this year, save space for some soybeans. They’re good for your health and your wallet.

Feb. 23, 2024

Grant County 4-H hopes to defend legacy at SeaPerch Challenge

SHERIDAN, Ark. — PVC pipe, pool noodles, zip ties, 12-volt batteries: these are just a few of the supplies that Arkansas 4-H members are using to build remotely operated vehicles for the upcoming Arkansas SeaPerch Challenge, an underwater robotics competition. 

Surge valve, moisture sensor school sessions set for Feb. 27, March 5

STUTTGART, Ark. — Farmers and other agriculture industry personnel can learn how surge valves and soil moisture sensors can improve irrigation at daylong sessions set for Feb. 27 at the Reynolds Center in Paragould and March 5 at the Northeast Research and Extension Center at Keiser.

C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center a winner in ‘Best of Biz’ competition for 6^th straight year

LITTLE ROCK — For the sixth straight year, the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center is a winner in the annual “Best of Biz” awards.

Division of Agriculture faculty, Bumpers College students recognized at ASHS meeting

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Horticulture and food science faculty with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture were awarded for their research and extension work at the American Society for Horticultural Science Southern Region meeting in Atlanta this month.

Ryan Dickson recognized by Greenhouse Grower magazine for root zone research

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A national horticulture industry publication has recognized Arkansas researcher Ryan Dickson as one to watch.

Cooperative Extension Service launches new University Center website

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development has launched a new website detailing the resources and services offered through its newest program, designed to support economic and workforce development across Arkansas. 

Ag economists offer food for thought to improve baby formula supply

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The 2022 baby formula crisis highlighted the precarious balance between regulation, competition and safety, according to a new study published last month.

Researchers awarded $5M to develop AI platform strengthening regional food systems

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Artificial intelligence and machine learning are being explored with several aspects of agriculture, including streamlining regional food systems.

Arkansas ag scientists Roberts, Vieira recognized for conservation work in rice, soybeans

JONESBORO, Ark. —  Trent Roberts and Caio Vieira, faculty members with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, were recognized for their conservation work in rice and soybeans at the National Conservation Systems conference.

Registration for 2024 Future Ag Leaders program now open

LITTLE ROCK — Registration for the 2024 Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour is now open for college undergraduate juniors and seniors.

Extension stewardship programs continue to help improve waterway quality across the state

LITTLE ROCK — Throughout thousands of miles of rivers and streams, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has long been a leader in reducing pollution in waterways across the state.

Registration opens Feb. 26 for Walk Across Arkansas Spring 2024

LITTLE ROCK — For many Arkansans, the start of a new year includes resolutions to exercise more and develop healthy habits. Walk Across Arkansas, an eight-week, group-based exercise program supported by the Cooperative Extension Service, is designed to help Arkansans get on their feet and connect with their peers. 

March 17: Giving of the green for Arkansas 4-H

FERNDALE, Ark. — Arkansas 4-H, the state’s largest youth program, could use your help on March 17, a day when people are thinking about all things green.

Fields named associate director of Southern Risk Management Education Center

Fields is uniquely qualified for work with financial stress. She is a licensed social worker with a Master of Social work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and holds a Master of Business Administration from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.

America’s Seed Fund Road tour begins southern swing April 2 in Little Rock

LITTLE ROCK — America’s Seed Fund Road tour will start its swing through the South with an April 2 stop in Little Rock at the headquarters of the Cooperative Extension Service.

EPA allows farmers to use existing dicamba stocks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Farmers will be able to use existing stock of products containing dicamba on tolerant cotton and soybeans, following an order Wednesday from the Environmental Protection Agency.

New nectarine released by Arkansas Fruit Breeding Program

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Ozark Mango^TM , the seventh nectarine introduced by the Arkansas Fruit Breeding Program, is a yellow-fleshed and standard-acid-level nectarine tailored for growers in the Southeast or Mid-South of the United States.

Cooperative Extension Service to host first produce safety grower training of 2024

LITTLE ROCK — For produce growers, a critical element to success is understanding and mitigating the risk of microbial contamination on their farm. To help Arkansas producers navigate this, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host its first produce safety grower training of the year via Zoom on Feb. 28-29.

Neighborly influence on irrigation choices could reinforce sustainable practices

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Peers are powerful influencers in day-to-day choices — even for specialized decisions like irrigation practices.

Arkansas soil testing lab sees record number of samples in ‘23

MARIANNA, Ark. —  The Marianna Soil Test Lab set a new record for samples tested by processing more than 220,000 last year.

Anderson: An age of opportunity for the land-grant system

ATLANTA — As misinformation casts its shadow across the landscape of public discourse, “we are potentially entering a golden age of opportunity for the land-grant system,” said John Anderson, new president of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association.

Barber named interim AVP for agriculture, natural resources for extension service

LITTLE ROCK — Tom Barber has been named interim assistant vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the Cooperative Extension Service.

Going solar on your farm? There’s a web tool for that and funding deadlines are looming

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Agricultural producers looking to invest in solar energy for their farms are facing several key deadlines this year.

River Valley Beef Cattle Conference to explore state of hay availability, cattle genetics and more

OZARK, Ark. — Researchers and extension agents with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be bringing the latest in cattle production knowledge to interested attendees at the Feb. 20 River Valley Beef Cattle Conference in Ozark. 

NALC’s Rollins to discuss EPA policy shift on carrying out pesticide duties under the Endangered Species Act in Feb. 21 webinar

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it was adopting what was then a new policy for how it would meet its Endangered Species Act obligations when carrying out agency actions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

Arizona federal court vacates over-the-top dicamba registration

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A federal court in Arizona has overturned the 2020 dicamba registrations that allowed over-the-top applications of three dicamba products, XtendiMax, Engenia and Tavium, leaving a cloud of uncertainty for farmers and defendants.

11^th circuit ruling on Florida’s foreign-owned law may spur similar lawsuits

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  The successful appeal of an attempt to stop a Florida law restricting foreign ownership of real estate may be the vanguard of legal actions against similar laws in other states, said Micah Brown, staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center.

Arkansas Fruit Breeding Program releases new late-season blackberry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Fruit Breeding Program has released a new late-season blackberry to give growers a premium product after other varieties are done yielding.

Arkansas stays proactive to maintain EU trade amid expanded sustainability requirements

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As the European Union expands sustainability reporting requirements, Arkansas is staying proactive to maintain agricultural trade exports.

Clarksville fruit station to host March 6 pruning workshop for fruit, pecan growers

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — The art of pruning — knowing what and how to cut — is a key component to growing healthy, productive fruits, nuts and berries. 

The eclipse is coming: Are agricultural communities prepared?

NEWPORT, Ark. — A tourism event unlike any other will be darkening the skies across Arkansas — and many other states in its path — in just a few months. And while the Great North American Eclipse will be something of an unescapable spectacle, rural and agricultural communities will likely see an influx of traffic as enthusiasts seek the open skies of farmlands.

Extension financial expert offers filing tips for 2023 tax season

LITTLE ROCK — With the start of tax season on Jan. 29, the Internal Revenue Service has begun accepting and processing 2023 tax year returns. The standard deduction, which is adjusted annually for inflation, increased for tax year 2023 and will also increase for tax year 2024.