August 2019

Arkansas Farmers Market Week & Catfish Month

Governor Asa Hutchinson presented proclamations for Arkansas Farmers Market Week and Arkansas Catfish Month during a ceremony at the Capitol, August 7. These two important industries within Arkansas agriculture help keep agriculture as the state’s largest industry, providing more than $21 billion to the state’s economy annually. Thank you to Catfish Farmers of Arkansas, Arkansas Farmers Market Association, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arkansas Foodbank, Arkansas Department of Health, UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture - Extension (UAEX), Agricultural Council of Arkansas, U.S. Department of Agriculture, UAPB - School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, and others that celebrated with us. Find more photos of the event here and videos celebrating Farmers Market Week here .

Ag Agency Appreciation Luncheon Secretary of Agriculture, Wes Ward, provided remarks on Tuesday, August 13, at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Ag Agency Appreciation Luncheon.  Farm Bureau hosts the luncheon each year to thank state agencies for their work on behalf of Arkansas agriculture.

National Black Growers Council The  National Black Growers Council Model Farm Field Day was held at Dell-Cam Farm in Altheimer, July 18. The Field Day, hosted by Dr. Dewayne Goldmon, the 2019 Arkansas Southeast District Farmer of the Year and owner of Dell-Cam Farm, was held to provide information about improving the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of black row-crop farmers.   The event also demonstrated efficient use of technology and how to access U.S. Department of Agriculture  programs. Following the field demonstrations, attendees were provided additional information and lunch at the UAPB - School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences .

Forestry Division to the Rescue On July 16, a crew of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division in Pike County was requested by the county judge to assist with flooding issues. The Pike County crew, consisting of Brian Mitchell, Rodney Haney and Laci Culpepper, helped rescue a woman stranded on a flooded bridge and assisted with the rescue of a man in a kayak who was swept away while attempting to help flood victims. They also assisted a stranded funeral transport van and further aided the county by guiding motorists to safe routes.

Downtown on the Farm On Sunday, October 27 from 12:00 to 6:00 pm, Downtown on the Farm will provide the public an agricultural experience right in the heart of downtown Little Rock. This free festival will feature live music from Adam Hambrick, Bonnie Montgomery, The Going Jessies and Rodney Block. Other attractions include food trucks, pumpkin painting, petting zoo, beer garden, rice dig, plenty of up-close tractors and much more. Find more information on this event here .

People and Programs

Forestry Conservationist of the Year Award Secretary of Agriculture, Wes Ward, State Forester, Joe Fox, and members of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division, Darren Spinks and Trey Franks, were presented the Dr. John L. Gray Forestry Conservationist of the Year Award from the  Arkansas Wildlife Federation  July 27. The Forestry Division was awarded this honor for demonstrating outstanding leadership in the management of Arkansas's forest resources.

ISA Certified Arborist Harold Fisher, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Urban Forestry Partnership Coordinator recently qualified as an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist. ISA Certified Arborists are knowledgeable, experienced tree care professionals who are committed to properly caring for and maintaining trees. Certified Arborists undergo a rigorous credentialing process and must continue to increase their expertise through education in order to maintain their certification.

National Egg Quality School Cheri Ellis of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Livestock & Poultry Division has been elected to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the National Egg Quality School. The National Egg Quality School is an annual 4-day course that teaches about egg quality through a combination of lectures, individualized instruction, and hands-on laboratory experience. The school is administered through a Board of Directors elected by egg industry stakeholders with support and leadership provided by organizations throughout the country.

Thank you! Secretary of Agriculture, Wes Ward, presented a plaque to Chairman of the Arkansas Agriculture Board, Robert "Crash" Carruthers, at the board meeting, August 7, in appreciation for his service to Arkansas agriculture. Mr. Carruthers has been a board member since 2012 and served as Chairman from 2017 – 2019.

School Garden of the Year Contest Open Through August 30 School entries are being accepted for the sixth annual Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Farm Credit. Applicants may be any Arkansas school, grades pre-K through 12, that had a school garden open during the 2018-2019 school year, or any schools planning to start a garden in the 2019-2020 school year. Read more

Arkansas Grown Magazine The Arkansas Department of Agriculture exists to serve and promote Arkansas agriculture, our state’s largest industry. Our goal with each edition of Arkansas Grown is to provide you an overview of the breadth and diversity of Arkansas agriculture and the families that make the industry possible.

Arkansas News

Soybean acres experience catastrophic drop, lowest level in six decades Arkansas Farmers Spend More Than $8 Billion Annually 2019 River Valley Wildland Fire Academy Agcast Arkansas Wildland Fire Crew Travels Across The U.S. Battling Dangerous Fires Arkansas Levee Task Force In Information Gathering Mode Preserving Family Farms In Arkansas, Heir Property Arkansas Crop Production Report

Media groups back suit challenging 'Ag-Gag' law Farmland investments take root Forest Center Seeks Public's Help Locating Invasive Plants In South Arkansas Arkansas Rural Connect Grant Program Announced To Boost Rural Broadband Arkansas Farmers Must Look To Diversify Their Markets, Speakers Say States Take Action To Stem Flooding Arkansas Weekly Crop Progress & Condition Report

National News

Trump dials back new tariffs; some levies on China items delayed until nearly Christmas U.S. 2019 Corn Outturn Seen Down 3.6%, Soybeans Down 19% From 2018 ARA Applauds EPA Action To Stop False Labeling Groups Again Sue EPA, Seeking Chlorpyrifos Ban U.N. Agency Issues Report On Ag's Role In Climate Change How A Farmer ‘Think Tank’ Is Shaping Agricultural Sustainability, Far Beyond The Field FSA News Bulletin - August 2019 Farmers Prevented From Planting Crops On More Than 19 Million Acres Part-Time Farmers: An Important Asset For U.S. Agriculture Chinese Companies Halt Purchases Of U.S. Agricultural Products Farm Equipment Maker Deere's Dealers Reel From Trade War, Bad Weather Agriculture And The ADA: Service Animals * Considerations for Operating Agreements * Practical Considerations For Hunting Leases * *From The National Agricultural Law Center

Upcoming Agriculture Events

Produce Safety Training: August 15 Hops Production In Arkansas Workshop: August 15 Agricultural Council Of Arkansas Meeting: August 19 An Introduction To The Perishable Commodities Act, Webinar: August 21 Pollution Control & Ecology Commission Meeting: August 23 Southwest Forest Products Expo: August 23-24 Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Outdoor Hall Of Fame Banquet: August 24 Produce Safety Training: August 27 Food Safety Committee Meeting: August 27 Bureau Of Standards Committee Meeting: August 27 Keeping It In The Family Sustainable Forestry Meeting: August 28 Arkansas Cattlemen's Association Convention & Tradeshow: August 29-31 Industrial Hemp Under The 2018 Farm Bill, Webinar: September 18

Arkansas Ag Fac t: Rural Fire Protection (RFP) program   The Rural Fire Protection Program (RFP) is administered by the Forestry Division of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. In FY2019, the RFP provided 50 vehicles (firetrucks, tankers, and brush trucks) valued at nearly than $6 million to rural fire departments throughout the state using the Federal Excess Property program and Firefighter Property program.  The RFP also provided a boat, motor, and trailer, as well as nine generators, and two storage containers, totaling almost $348,000. The RFP made 21 interest-free loans to fire departments at a value of more than $265,000. Through the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant, the RFP provided 79 Wildfire Suppression Kits valued at $242,000. The RFP held 84 Wildland Suppression Training classes for 1,623 students from 670 fire departments across the state.

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