December 2019

Arkansas Farm Bureau 85th Annual Convention Secretary Wes Ward and Bruce Holland, the Director of the Arkansas Natural Resources Division, participated in a panel discussion on Feral Hog Eradication during the Arkansas Farm Bureau annual convention held December 4-6. The workshop, which drew a large crowd, featured state and federal agency representatives that shared programs available to landowners as well as programs being implemented on public lands.

State Veterinarian Dr. Randolph Chick presented on Animal Disease Traceability.

The Department sponsored a booth at the trade show and held a giveaway. Congratulations to our winner Omar Clemons!

Senate & House Agriculture Committee Meeting The Arkansas House and Senate Committees on Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development held a meeting at the Statehouse Convention Center on December 5th. Secretary Wes Ward, Plant Division Director Scott Bray, and the Department's Managing Attorney Wade Hodge presented on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's proposed regulation on the use of pesticides. Secretary Ward also gave an update on the Arkansas Feral Hog Eradication Task Force.

Arkansas Turkey Week Proclamation During a ceremony November 26 at the State Capitol, Governor Hutchinson joined agriculture leaders, industry partners and 4-H and FFA representatives in declaring November 24 to 30 as Turkey Week in Arkansas. The Turkey Week proclamation highlights the state’s turkey industry and its value to Arkansas’s economy and agriculture industry. "Agriculture is our state’s Number One industry, and it has been successful due to the hard work and perseverance of the farmers and ranchers who work hard every day to provide our state with healthy food. Arkansas poultry farmers produce over 11 percent of all turkeys raised in the United States, making the poultry industry a significant part of our state’s economy. I am grateful for all our farmers do for Arkansas," said Governor Hutchinson.     “The poultry industry, which includes turkey, chicken and eggs, is an important part of Arkansas’s diverse agricultural landscape, representing more than 50 percent of agriculture’s total cash receipts," said Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward. “We are thankful for the farmers who provide this protein throughout the entire year.”

Marvin Childers, president of The Poultry Federation, added that Thanksgiving week is the perfect time to recognize everyone involved in making Arkansas the third largest producer of turkeys in the nation. “Thank you to our dedicated farmers, who raise 31.5 million turkeys per year, and industry leaders, like Cargill and Butterball, for their impact on our state,” he said. The proclamation featured a live turkey, provided by Victoria and Kristin Lehmann of Scotland, Ark. The sisters raised the turkey, provided by Butterball, as part of their project with the Conway County 4-H.

Veterans 4 Ag Summit The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, and Arkansas Farm Bureau jointly organized the Veterans 4 Ag Summit. The summit was held November 14th on the Arkansas Tech campus with the goal of empowering America's veterans to grow America's food. Various agriculture and veteran’s organizations were on hand to provide attendees with networking opportunities and the chance to speak one-on-one with industry partners. The event offered panel discussions and speakers who prepared military veterans for potential careers in the agriculture field, and educated them about employment opportunities that surround the agriculture industry.

New Officers Elected at Quarterly Arkansas Agriculture Board Meeting The Arkansas Agriculture Board elected new officers at its quarterly meeting at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture on November 6. Sam Angel II of Lake Village was elected Chair, and Kyle Baltz of Pocahontas was elected to serve as Vice-Chair. Angel is a fourth-generation farmer and cotton gin owner who was appointed by Governor Hutchinson in 2018 to a four-year term on the Arkansas Agriculture Board (Board). Baltz is a row crop and cattle producer and a partner in several agribusinesses in northeast Arkansas. Baltz was appointed to the State Plant Board by Governor Hutchinson in 2015 and has served on the Board as the State Plant Board representative since May 2017. “We look forward to working with Mr. Angel and Mr. Baltz in their new leadership roles,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Their extensive agricultural and leadership experience will serve the Board and the Department of Agriculture well.” The 20- member Board advises the Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture on all matters concerning agriculture in the state of Arkansas. Governor Hutchinson recently reappointed Ron Cavenaugh to another four-year term on the Board, and appointed Damon Helton as a new member of the Board.

Arkansas Monarch Conservation Partnership Memorandum and Cooperation Signing   Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward participated in the signing of the Arkansas Monarch Conservation Partnership Memorandum of Cooperation at the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission building on November 21. The 24 members of the partnership share a mutual concern for Arkansas monarch butterfly and pollinator populations and the habitat they depend on. The current conservation plan is a multi-level approach for the state of Arkansas that provides opportunities for individuals, organizations, and government to come together in support of protection for monarch butterflies and pollinators.

Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program collects 166,376 pounds The Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program collected 166,376 pounds of unwanted pesticides in five counties during the 2019 collection events. Since 2005, the Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program has overseen the collection of 4,433,495 pounds of unwanted pesticides in counties across Arkansas. “The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is proud to administer the Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program,” says Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Events like these ensure safe and proper disposal of unwanted pesticides, preventing them from potentially polluting our environment.” Participation in collection events is free and anonymous to farmers and other non-industrial landowners. The most recent collection program ran from October 28 to November 1 in Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Drew, and Lincoln County. The Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program is conducted in cooperation with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas Farm Bureau, and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment.

Statewide Forests and Drinking Water Forum Forestry Division personnel attended Arkansas’s 3rd Statewide Forests and Drinking Water Forum on November 4. The objective of the forum is to have open discussion on how we can help protect sources of public drinking water supplies and support the forest sector. The Arkansas Forests & Drinking Water Collaborative states that sixty-one percent of drinking water for Arkansans originates in forested watersheds; therefore, maintaining healthy forests is the best protection that we can provide our water. In addition to having several personnel in attendance, Forestry Division’s Chandler Barton served as moderator for a panel discussing case studies of collaborating with agriculture to improve drinking water.  State Forester, Joe Fox, served as a panel speaker in a discussion updating attendants on Arkansas’s Forest Action Plan.

People and Programs

Build better habitat with fire through special workshops The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and its conservation partners are offering four free workshops for landowners interested in beginning or improving the use of prescribed fire on their property to increase wildlife habitat. The workshops are a partnership between the AGFC, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division, the National Weather Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Arkansas Forestry Association, and Quail Forever. Three workshops will be devoted to introducing landowners to the benefits and implementation of prescribed fire, and a fourth workshop will be an opportunity to learn more about forming cooperatives with other landowners to manage habitat together with prescribed fire.  “Prescribed fire can be a key component to managing your land for wildlife management, timber production and even livestock production,” said Clint Johnson, Private Lands Biologist for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “But the thought of using fire can be intimidating to some landowners. That’s how these workshops can help.” Click here to learn more about each workshop and to register.

Catfish Farmers of Arkansas Scholarship The Catfish Farmers of Arkansas are awarding two $1,000 scholarships, one each for fall and spring semesters. Awards are for undergraduate (in either 2-year or 4-year programs) study and may be used for education-related expenses, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, and board. Eligibility includes demonstrating a strong interest/experience in the Arkansas catfish industry. Recipients are encouraged to attend the annual convention of the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas and make a short presentation on their experience or interest in the catfish industry in Arkansas. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2020. Find the application and more details here.

Little Rock 3rd Grader Wins Best Cabbage in the State The National Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program’s winner for the state of Arkansas is Braylon Carpenter of Gibbs Magnet Elementary School in Little Rock.  He grew a beautiful, huge cabbage and was randomly selected by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Braylon will receive a $1,000 saving bond towards education from Bonnie Plants. Each year Bonnie Plants, the largest producer of vegetable and herb plants in North America, with 70+ greenhouse facilities across the country, trucks free O.S. Cross, or "oversized," cabbage plants to third grade classrooms whose teachers have signed up for the program online. This year, more than 1 million third graders in the 48 contiguous states have gotten hands-on gardening experience, growing colossal cabbages with high hopes to win “best in state” and receive a $1,000 scholarship towards education from Bonnie Plants.

Pollinator Workshop  The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission hosted a Pollinator Workshop at the Janet Huckabee Nature Center in Fort Smith on November 1. Danny Brewer, Apiary Inspector with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, gave a presentation about honeybees and pollination and led a discussion with 13 workshop participants. Attendees included local teachers, Master Gardeners, and Arkansas Department of Transportation employees.

Think Wood Mobile Tour The Think Wood Mobile Tour stopped at University of Arkansas at Monticello on November 25. The Think Wood Mobile Exhibit is a beautiful and compelling museum-quality display that showcases the environmental and economic benefits of different softwood lumber and engineered wood products and their many uses in both residential and commercial construction. The traveling exhibit features a variety of interactive elements, props, and models telling the wood story from the forest to the market.

Produce Safety Grower Training If you grow fruits or vegetables, attend one of the upcoming trainings hosted by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension for information about best practices, risk management, and regulatory requirements.   The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule is the first federally regulated standard for growing, harvesting, packing, and holding fresh produce in an effort to reduce microbial contamination and foodborne illness outbreaks. These programs are funded in part by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture through a grant from the U. S. Food and Drug Administration. Find more information on the training here.  Upcoming Produce Safety Grower Training: December 17, 2019 - Drew County Farm Bureau, Monticello February 11, 2020 - Cooperative Extension Service, Little Rock

Take a look at the newest videos featuring Arkansas Grown and Arkansas Made members! Ozark Valley Bison Red Road Woodworks Serenity Farm Bread Ba ker y 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

USDA announces funding to control feral swine in Arkansas Caraway, Searcy to receive water/wastewater project funding Bumpers College Agricultural Systems Technology Program Utilizing Robot Donated by Tyson Foods Parish commits to study about Red River flooding, navigability into Arkansas Rainy fall adds to farmers' soggy woes Scientists work to improve rice varieties impacted by higher temperatures Cornell partners in $10M poultry science grant UA's Fay Jones School announces $3 million in forestry donations Fall forage samples showing lower protein

Panel backs shift of $1M in state funds for watershed projects Local families receive Century Farm recognition Pesticide fines set for state farmers Arkansas Poultry Production Gets A Huge Boost Division of Agriculture Receives Grant To Expand ‘Green Infrastructure’ Into Southeast Arkansas Arkansas lawmakers clear up Buffalo River Watershed proposal State approves funding for water and wastewater projects in seven Arkansas communities Arkansas exports continue growth, report shows exports at $6.5B in FY18

National News

China ends ban on U.S. poultry U.S. Secures Carve-Out of Korean Market WASDE Report Released Farmers Receive Relief as Trade Disputes Continue USDA Invests in the Expansion of Rural Education and Health Care Access USDA and Georgia Sign Shared Stewardship Agreement Highlighting Cooperative Approach to Land Management Indoor farming looks like it could be the answer to feeding a hot and hungry planet. It’s not that easy. 10 Teams Advance to Ag Innovation Challenge Semi-finals As U.S. farmers grapple with China trade war, Deere and Caterpillar cut jobs Legal hemp, CBD stir more US farmers to grow unfamiliar crop USDA Invests in Drinking Water Quality and Wastewater Management for 784,000 Rural Residents and Businesses in 42 States

Upcoming Agriculture Events

USA Rice Outlook Conference: December 8-10 Public Hearing on Dicamba Proposal: December 11 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Announcement: December 12 Produce Safety Grower Training: December 17 Arkansas Agriculture Aviation Convention: January 4-6 Arkansas Turfgrass Trade Show & Conference: January 9-10 Horticulture Industry Show: January 10-11 Farm Bureau National Convention: January 17-22 Sourthern SAWG Conference: January 22-25 Arkansas Soil & Water Education Conference: January 29 Produce Safety Grower Training: February 11 Arkansas Farmers’ Hemp Conference: February 14-15

Arkansas Ag Fact: Christmas Tree Production  Arkansas farms producing Christmas trees went from 29 in 2007, to 59 in 2012. The number of Christmas trees harvested nearly doubled in those years, as well.  There were 3,204 Christmas tree operations in the US in 2014, creating a $366 million industry. Those farms produced over 19.9 million trees that year. The best selling tree species are Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Colorado Blue spruce, and Balsam fir. Source: USDA Census

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