February 2020

Arkansas Department of Agriculture receives Conservation award Secretary Wes Ward and several division directors proudly accepted the State Conservationist's Partnership Award at the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts' (AACD) Annual Meeting on January 17. The award was accepted by (from left, first picture) Forestry Division Director Joe Fox, Plant Industries Director Scott Bray, Secretary Wes Ward, Livestock and Poultry Division Director Patrick Fisk, and Natural Resources Deputy Director Ryan Benefield. The award was presented by State Conservationist Mike Sullivan (far right).

During the AACD luncheon, Secretary Wes Ward and directors participated in the signing ceremony of the Arkansas Conservation Partnership. The vision of the partnership is "a productive Arkansas is harmony with a quality environment." Secretary Ward also welcomed Governor Asa Hutchinson  to the convention, along with Matt Lohr, Chief of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services, and State Conservationist Mike Sullivan. Find a video about Chief Lohr's visit here.

Secretary at the USMCA signing Secretary Wes Ward was proud to repres ent  Governor Asa Hutchinson  a nd Arkansas agriculture at the White House for the signing of the historic US-China Trade Agreement on January 15. (From left: Steve Wellman, Director of Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture; Doug Goehring, North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner; Sen. Pat Roberts, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee; Dr. Barb Glenn, CEO of NASDA; Secretary Wes Ward; Bruce Kettler, Indiana Dept. of Agriculture Director)

Arkansas Levee Task Force presents Final Report The Arkansas Levee Task Force presented its final report to Governor Asa Hutchinson with recommendations to improve monitoring and maintenance of the state’s levee system at a press conference on January 7. In the past six months, the Arkansas Levee Task Force has analyzed the current condition of the state’s system of 92 levees. Members of the Task Force have submitted recommendations based on Governor Hutchinson’s four objectives:  to analyze the current conditions of the levees;  to identify sources and requirements for funding the construction, repair, and maintenance of levees; to study the prospective monitoring and reporting of systems for the maintenance of levees; and to review the adequacy of current laws and the organizational structure of the levee system and levee district boards. Governor Hutchinson created the Arkansas Levee Task Force by executive order last year after the state experienced record flooding that caused extensive damage to the state’s levee system. The Arkansas Levee Task Force’s report and an executive summary of its recommendations can be viewed  here.

Arkansas Agriculture Board Quarterly Meeting Eugene Young (left) with the National Agricultural Statistics Service gave a presentation at the quarterly meeting of the Arkansas Agriculture Board on February 5. Dr. Tim Burcham (right), University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension, provided an update on the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center. He was also presented with a plaque at the board meeting in appreciation of his service on the board representing Arkansas State University. He served on the board from 2013-2019.

Commissioner recognized at ANRC Commissioners Meeting Commissioner Sloan Hampton was recognized January 16 for his contributions to the state of Arkansas at the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Meeting in North Little Rock.

Arkansas Farmers' Industrial Hemp Conference The Arkansas Farmers' Industrial Hemp Conference will be held February 14 and 15.  Participants will hear from Arkansas farmers as they detail lessons learned growing industrial hemp, and there will also be opportunity to meet hemp seedsmen, processors, consultants, and state and federal agriculture experts and crop scientists. Caleb Allen, the Industrial Hemp Program Coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, will be one of the featured speakers. The conference will cover topics ranging from regulatory and legal requirements to finding the best market for hemp products. Get tickets here.

Diversity in Agriculture Conference The Diversity in Agriculture Conference has been set for February 27-28 at the Wyndham Riverfront in North Little Rock. The goal of the conference is to expand the awareness of the career and business opportunities that exist in agriculture. The conference will allow participants to explore opportunities through success stories and networking. It also is intended to foster an expansion of public and private partnerships within agriculture. The registration fee is $10 and will include a networking reception on Feb. 27 along with breakfast and lunch on Feb. 28. Students will be admitted free. Visit here   for registration, ticket purchasing, and hotel information. To learn more about the conference visit here , or contact Jason Smedley at 501-529-0076 or  jason.smedley@arfb.com .

Program Opportunities for Arkansas Farmers Markets The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) and Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas are pleased to partner again for the fifth annual Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program and the Arkansas Farmers Market Bag Program. These programs, which are administered by the Department and funded by Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas, help build awareness of farmers market locations and offerings. Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program Farmers Market Promotion Grants may fund the following promotional items to build community and regional awareness for a specific farmers market: signage listing names, seasons, times of operation, and location details; local advertising including print, radio, and television media projects; and social media campaigns. In 2019, the Department provided $9,000 in grants to 24 Arkansas Farmers Markets through the partnership with Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. Applications are due March 2. Applications and more information can be found here. Arkansas Farmers Market Bag Program As an added offering at local Farmers Markets, the Department has designed reusable Farmers Market paper bags for purchase by farmers markets or vendors at greatly reduced rates. This allows farmers markets or vendors to provide convenient shopping bags for consumers. The Department provided more than 17,500 shopping bags to Arkansas farmers markets in 2019. More information about how to order Farmers Market bags can be found here.

People and Programs

Southern SAWG Conference Several Department staff members participated in the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Conference January 22-25. Deputy Secretary Cynthia Edwards delivered the welcome speech to conference attendees. Farm to School Coordinator Sarah Lane worked the Seed Swap table, and Marketing and Communications Director Amy Lyman spoke at one of the conference's breakout sessions.

Arkansas AgCast Secretary Wes Ward, as well as the new leader of the state Department of Agriculture's Feral Hog Eradication Program, J.P. Fairhead, were featured on Arkansas Farm Bureau's AgCast. Listen to the podcast here. The podcast also features a waterfowl expert from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission about the problems snow geese are causing for some farmers.

Bonnie Plants Best in State Cabbage Winner Ceremony Congratulations to Braylon Carpenter from Gibbs Magnet Elementary on receiving his $1,000 savings bond and certificate from Bonnie Plants on January 15. Braylon grew a beautiful, huge cabbage for the National Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program and was selected by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture for "best in state."  Each year Bonnie Plants, the largest producer of vegetable and herb plants in North America, delivers free O.S. Cross, or "oversized," cabbage plants to third grade classrooms whose teachers have signed up for the program online.

Vets4Ag Summit planned for April   The next Vets4Ag Summit is scheduled for April 3 on the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff campus. The event will offer panel discussions and speakers who will help prepare military veterans for potential careers in the agriculture field, while educating them about employment opportunities that surround the agriculture industry, Arkansas’ largest business sector.  The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, and Arkansas Farm Bureau are jointly organizing the Veterans 4 Ag Summit. Various agriculture and veteran’s organizations will be on hand to provide attendees with networking opportunities and the chance to speak one-on-one with industry partners. More details and registration information can be found here.

Livestock and Poultry Inspector Retires Franky Sharp retired from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Livestock and Poultry Division in January. He worked for the agency 35 years. When he started work, the State of Arkansas had around 865 cattle herds infected with Brucellosis. Franky’s contributions, along with many others, has led to no infected herds in the state today.

Winter Farmers and Community Economic Development Conference Evette Browning, Outreach Coordinator, and Amy Michael, Agricultural Program Coordinator, spoke at the Winter Farmers and Community Economic Development Conference January 17. The conference is sponsored by the Arkansas Land & Community Development Corporation (ALCDC).

The goal of this conference is to increase awareness of resources to Arkansas growers and landowners. Evette represents the Arkansas Department of Agriculture on the ALCDC board and shared information on the Urban Forest Strike Teams that provide tree damage assessments for landowners following natural disasters. Amy shared information on invasive species detection surveys conducted by the Department each year.

Produce Safety Grower Training Opportunities for produce safety grower training will be held this Spring. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension provides fundamental, science-based, on-farm food safety knowledge to fresh fruit and vegetable farmers, packers, regulatory personnel, and others interested in the safety of fresh produce in Arkansas. UAEX helps producers keep up with regulations to ensure their farm is using best practices. Upcoming dates: March 17, 2020, Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences, Fayetteville April 14, 2020, Craighead County Extension Office, Jonesboro Register and find more information here.

Jersey Fire Department receives Grant Jersey Fire Department recently received a $4,000 grant for continuing efforts to reduce their community’s wildfire risks through the Firewise USA® recognition program. “Volunteer efforts from fire departments like Jersey are invaluable to their community. These risk-reduction efforts can help prevent fire damage and make firefighters across the state safer as they work to save homes and property,” said Travis Haile, Arkansas Firewise Coordinator. Read more here.

Scholarships

Homegrown by Heroes Scholarship The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) and Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas are partnering to provide two $1,500 Homegrown by Heroes academic scholarships to military veterans and their children. Funding for the scholarships is provided by Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas . Selection of scholarship recipients will be based on academic achievement, community involvement, extracurricular activities, financial need, and family circumstances. Preference will be given to Arkansas Homegrown by Heroes members and their children, but membership is not required. The scholarships are affiliated with Homegrown by Heroes, a program administered through the Department that helps farmer veterans market their local agricultural products by labeling them as veteran-produced. Learn more about Homegrown by Heroes and find products grown or made by military veterans here. Details on how to apply are available here. The application deadline is March 16, 2020 , and winners will be announced in mid-April.

Janet B. Carson County 76 Master Gardeners' Scholarship This is a $1,000 scholarship to assist an Arkansas high school senior in the pursuit of a post-secondary degree at an Arkansas college or university in a plant science related field. Fields of study include, but are not limited to, horticulture, botany, agronomy, forestry, plant science, landscape architecture/design, and turf management.    The deadline to apply is March 10, 2020 . Get additional details and apply online here.

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 study (in either 2-year or 4-year programs) 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.

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.

News

Arkansas Farmers Grateful to Put 2019 Behind Them February 28 deadline for current round of conservation grants Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Honors Forrest Wood Bulletin shows how to prepare for crop insurance audits Testimony in trial tied to 2014 collapse of Arkansas grain company called false UAM forestry program awards 2 scholarships 2020 Arkansas weed, pest, disease management information available Funds available to promote farmers markets in Arkansas Amidst uncertainty, value of checkoff is certain State buys land to protect thermal springs 50-State Survey: Landowner Liability for Spray Drift*

Residents say contaminated gas at Conway fuel station ruined their cars USDA Invests $7.1 Million in Broadband for Rural Arkansas Communities Arkansas Farm Bureau president picked for national board Clean-up begins at now closed hog farm in Arkansas Attorneys at odds over judge's Arkansas Plant Board ruling Arkansas rice production will be higher in 2020 Learn to burn at the AGFC’s prescribed fire workshops Permanent levee repairs coming this year USMCA trade deal will help Arkansas poultry exports, expert says Device gauges feed level in silos: Engineers’ invention stands to save poultry industry millions Preparing for a Crop Insurance Audit* Interstate Succession and Agriculture*

*From the National Agriculture Law Center

Upcoming Agriculture Events

Arkansas State Agribusiness Conference: February 12 Arkansas Farmers’ Industrial Hemp Conference: February 14-15 Arkansas Agritourism Conference: February 19 64th Annual Rural Life Conference: February 21 Pumpkin and Strawberry Production Conference: February 25 Commodity Classic: February 27-29 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show: February 28-29 Arkansas Flower and Garden Show: February 28-March 1 Arkansas Grazing Lands Conference: March 4-6 Produce Safety Grower Training, Fayetteville: March 17 Arkansas Women in Agriculture Conference: March 17-18 Produce Safety Grower Training, Jonesboro: April 14

Arkansas Ag Fact: Strawberries  February 27th is National Strawberry Day.   In 2017, there were 78 strawberry farms in Arkansas with a combined acreage of 88. Strawberries are the most widely cultivated small fruit in American gardens. According to the USDA, Americans eat an average of 3.4 pounds of fresh strawberries every year. The average strawberry has about 200 seeds on its surface. There is a Strawberry, Arkansas, in the northern part of the state.

‌ ‌