Four States Ag Expo offers latest research, best practices for area growers
Jan. 30, 2026
By Rebekah Hall
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Expo is Feb. 12 at Four States Fair and Rodeo in Texarkana, AR
- Free to attend, continuing education units available
- Info sessions led by specialists from UADA, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
(668 words)
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TEXARKANA, Ark. — On Feb. 12, the Four States Agricultural Expo returns to Texarkana, Arkansas, offering area producers and growers the latest research-based information and best practices for livestock and forages, integrated pest management, home horticulture and more.
The expo will take place at the Four States Fair and Rodeo, 3700 E. 50th St. in Texarkana. The event is free to attend and open to the public, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. Concurrent programs run 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Lunch will also be provided at no cost.
The event is a joint project between the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Jennifer Caraway, Miller County extension staff chair for the Division of Agriculture, said specialists from the two institutions collaborate to “deliver high-quality, research-based information to producers across Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.”
“Agricultural challenges often extend beyond state lines, and by working together we can address regional issues more effectively, share specialized knowledge and make better use of resources,” Caraway said. “This partnership ensures that producers have access to the most current, science-driven recommendations in key areas of agriculture, helping them make informed decisions that improve productivity, profitability and sustainability.”
Continuing education units, or CEUs, are available for licensed pesticide applicators, “making the event both informative and beneficial for maintaining certifications,” Caraway said.
Texas pesticide applicators pay $10 for up to five hours of CEU credits. Arkansas pesticide applicator training will also be available at the expo. The cost is $65, with $20 paid to Miller County Cooperative Extension and $45 paid to the Arkansas State Plant Board for a five-year license.
Caraway said she encourages growers and producers from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma to attend the expo, both to gain practical, research-based knowledge and connect with others in the agricultural community.
“Attendees will hear from specialists across a range of agricultural fields, providing valuable insights they can take directly back to their operations,” Caraway said. “In addition to the educational sessions, the expo offers a great chance to network with fellow producers and industry professionals who are facing many of the same challenges and opportunities.”
Experts from the Division of Agriculture and Texas A&M AgriLife will present workshops throughout the day, including the following topics and speakers:
8:30 a.m.
- Fly control options in beef cattle — Kelly Loftin, extension entomologist, Division of Agriculture
- Managing tree health in the home landscape — Danny Duncum, staff forester, Texas A&M
- Soybean and grain sorghum pest updates — Chris Elkins, extension soybean and wheat verification coordinator, Division of Agriculture
9:45 a.m.
- Scouting and treatment options for emerging livestock pests — Kelly Loftin, Division of Agriculture
- Managing fruit trees in the home landscape — Kyle Slusher, extension assistant professor and entomologist, Texas A&M
- Managing ornamental and shrub health in the home landscape — Randy Forst, extension educator for consumer horticulture, Division of Agriculture
- Managing the health of pine timber stands — Jacob Hackman, extension assistant professor of forestry management, Division of Agriculture
11 a.m.
- Integrated weed management in forage crops — Vanessa Corriher-Olson, professor and forage extension specialist, Texas A&M
- Lawn insect, weed and disease management — Randy Forst, Division of Agriculture
- Managing rice delphacid, an emerging pest of rice crops — Nick Bateman, extension associate professor and crop entomologist, Division of Agriculture
- Managing insect pests of pecans in the home landscape — Kyle Slusher, Texas A&M
Noon — Lunch
1 p.m.
- Identification and control of forage insect pests — Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Texas A&M
- Managing insects, weeds and diseases in cut flower crops — Anthony Bowden, extension assistant professor and ornamentals specialist, Division of Agriculture
- Managing black vulture depredation on livestock — Marcus Blum, assistant professor and extension wildlife specialist, Texas A&M
- Sprayer calibration for pasture sprayers — Jason Davis, extension assistant professor of remote sensing and pesticide application, Division of Agriculture
2:15 p.m.
- Understanding the pesticide label — Connor Davis, county extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, Texas A&M
- Arkansas pesticide applicator training class — Jennifer Caraway, Miller County agricultural extension agent and staff chair, Division of Agriculture
For more information about the expo, contact the Miller County Extension office at 870-779-3609.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
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 three campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Jennifer Caraway by email at jcaraway@uada.edu or by phone at 870-779-3609 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact:
Rebekah Hall
rkhall@uada.edu
501-671-2061