January 2020

Arkansas Farm Family of the Year 2019 Congratulations to I.F. Anderson Farms of Lonoke for being named the 2019 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. Anderson Farms is the nation’s largest baitfish hatchery, raising 1.3 billion fish annually on 3,334 water acres. It is a fourth-generation fish farm presently operated by James Neal Anderson and his son, Jamie. As Arkansas Farm Family of the Year, the Andersons will compete with nine other southeastern state winners in the 2020 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year program next October in Moultrie, Ga. “This is such an honor,” said Jamie Anderson. “We don’t do this for recognition. We do it because we love it, it’s in our blood and our DNA. It’s our heritage. That’s why we do this. My grandad and great grandad, they didn’t see this 70 years down the line. Seeing this honor and the fifth generation standing here. Thinking of them and this honor is a pretty amazing feeling.” Since its inception in 1949, Anderson Farms is known for its water conservation practices, its innovative approaches to breeding, raising, marketing, and shipping baitfish and developing and manufacturing equipment for the aquaculture industry. The week of December 8-14 was also named Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Week by Governor Asa Hutchinson. Secretary Wes Ward made the announcement on behalf of Governor Hutchinson during the Farm Family of the Year Luncheon December 12.

Feral Hog Eradication Program Coordinator Hired The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has hired John Paul (J.P.) Fairhead as the Department’s first Feral Hog Eradication Program Coordinator. The newly created position is part of a $3.4 million grant recently awarded to the Department through the USDA Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program. “J.P. brings extensive knowledge of statewide feral hog control activities to the Department,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “We look forward to putting J.P.’s expertise to work as we implement the new feral hog eradication program in project areas across the state,” said Ward. Fairhead, formerly employed with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission since 2008 as a Natural Resource Program Technician and Field Biologist, served as the Feral Hog Eradication Program Coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission since February of 2013. He has been involved in the Arkansas Feral Hog Eradication Task Force since it was formed in 2017, serving on the Management and Control Subcommittee. “The damages associated with feral hogs negatively impact all Arkansans at some level, whether it’s direct damages to agriculture or reduced native wildlife populations,” said Fairhead. “I look forward to addressing the unique challenges associated with controlling this prolific, destructive, invasive species by partnering with multiple agencies to implement effective control measures. Addressing the feral hog issue will not be a quick-fix; however, I do believe that we can make positive strides to reduce damages if we focus on working together to remove these invasive pests.” Arkansas was one of 10 states to receive funding through the USDA Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program. The program will be a collaborative effort between the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Arkansas Conservation Districts, Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts, and other Feral Hog Task Force members to reduce feral hog populations, address resource concerns, and provide public education about effective control methods in four project areas across the state.

Plant Board Votes to Amend Proposed Dicamba Rule The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s State Plant Board voted at a public hearing and special board meeting held December 11 on proposed changes to the current rule regarding the use of dicamba herbicide in Arkansas. The Plant Board voted to: Amend the proposed rule by removing the GPS mapping and online registry requirements for dicamba applications Permanently allow the use of dicamba for burn-down applications from April 16 to May 25 Clarify the definition of egregious violation for violations occurring before March 11, 2019, and for violations occurring on or after March 11, 2019. Violations prior to March 11, 2019 are egregious if significant off-target crop damage is established. Violations after March 11, 2019 are egregious if the product is intentionally used in violation of the federal label or a state law or rule. The proposed rule change was reviewed at a joint meeting of the House and Senate Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development Committees and was approved by the Arkansas Legislative Council on December 20. A copy of the amended rule can be found here.

Top Timber Manufacturer Coming to Arkansas Structurlam , the leading mass timber manufacturer in North America, announced December 9 it will expand its operations into the United States, with a plant in Conway set to open in mid-2021. The Canadian-based company will invest $90 million to purchase, retrofit, and equip a former steel plant and create 130 new jobs. The company will source softwood lumber from Arkansas-grown Southern Pine trees. Walmart  will be the first customer of  Structurlam ’s Conway facility. The world’s largest retailer plans to use more than 1.1 million cubic feet of Arkansas-grown and Arkansas-produced mass timber in its new Home Office campus in Bentonville, making it the largest campus project in the U.S. using mass timber. Arkansas is nationally ranked #6 in forestry products, valued at over $6.4 billion. With approximately 12 billion trees on nearly 19 million acres, that is more than 56% of the state's entire land mass.

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.

STOP Program Trees planted at Cedarville School    Benny Lowrey, District 6 Urban Representative; Jason Parker, Crawford County Ranger II; and Spence Oliver, Crawford County Ranger II, helped students at Cedarville School plant their STOP ( Shade Trees on Playgrounds) program trees. Urban forestry staff began the STOP program sixteen years ago to help lower adult skin cancer risk by reducing childhood exposure to direct sunlight on school playgrounds. Since then, more than 100 Arkansas schools have received trees.  The trees planted at Cedarville were Nuttall Oak, White Oak, Sawtooth Oak, Autumn Blaze Maple, and a Yellow-poplar. Other forestry personnel assisting with the program presentation included Regina Gregory, Crawford County Ranger; Daniel Brown, Johnson County Ranger; and Shane Cooper, Franklin County Ranger II.

People and Programs

Shop with a Cop Department of Agriculture law enforcement officers participated in Shop with a Cop in Mountain View on December 12. Law enforcement officers from around the state participate in the Shop with a Cop program to help children have a better Christmas. 50 children from Mountain View each received $100 to spend on Christmas gifts.

Nominations Needed for Arkansas Farmer Veteran Coalition Board Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) cultivates a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and develops viable employment and meaningful careers through the collaboration of farming and military communities. Find more information here.   The Arkansas Farmer Veteran Coalition State Chapter Organizing Committee (COC) is looking for great leaders to serve as board members on the FVC Arkansas Chapter. The COC is requesting nominations of farmer veterans.    Currently the committee, in partnership with the Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Arkansas Department of Veteran Affairs, and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, is working to set-up an Arkansas Chapter of FVC. The COC values input from state farmer veterans and associated organizations in the implementation of the group. The committee wants the chapter to be as productive as possible.   To provide general feedback or to nominate a farmer veteran, send their name, email, phone number, and a short summary of the candidate's role as a farmer here by January 10, 2020.  At a meeting open to all Arkansas farmer veterans to be scheduled in the near future , t here will be a vote to select board members.

Ouachita Society of American Forester’s 2019 Award Winner Congratulations to Dr. Benjamin Babst who was awarded the 2019 Ouachita Society of American Forester’s award for Forestry Science Research. Babst’s research focused on the biochemistry of forest ecosystems and their response to forest management practices. He began conducting research on trees 20 years ago and has continued his research at the University of Arkansas at Monticello  for the past 5 years. Babst says trees face a constantly changing environment. The goal of his research is to understand how trees work and what they do when environmental conditions change.

Delivery of Donated Pet Supplies The Arkansas Department of Agriculture collected pet supplies for the animals at the Humane Society of Pulaski County during the holiday season. Employees donated blankets, food, and toys that were delivered on December 26th.

Pulaski County Local Foods Survey The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Extension (UAEX) is taking part in a research project with other Universities to identify ways in which farmers and local food leaders can strengthen the food environment. UAEX is asking for Pulaski County residents to participate in a short, anonymous survey that will rate the efforts of local food merchants — farmers’ markets, grocery stores, food trucks, restaurants, and more — to make fresh, locally-sourced foods available to consumers. Pulaski County residents within the zip codes 72202, 72204, 72205, 72209, 72076, 72216 and 72120, are asked to participate. Take the survey here.

One District, One Book Literacy Program at Little Rock Zoo The Little Rock School District hosted the annual launch of their One District, One Book literacy program at the Little Rock Zoo on Saturday, November 16. Amy Michael and Seth Dunlap of Regulatory Services spoke with over 130 zoo patrons about the steps they can take to bolster native ecosystems, as well as ways to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.   The 2020 book selection – The One and Only Ivan by K. A. Applegate – will teach elementary school children about the importance of responsible natural resource management.

Produce Safety Grower Training More opportunities for produce safety grower training will be held this Spring. University of Arkansas 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: February 11, 2020, Cooperative Extension Services, Little Rock March 17, 2020, Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences, Fayetteville April 14, 2020, Craighead County Extension Office, Jonesboro Register and find more information here.

Scholarships

Homegrown by Heroes Scholarship The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) and Farm Credit 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. 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 will be available on the Department website soon. The application deadline is March 15, 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.

USDA 1890 National Scholars Program The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program scholarship provides full tuition, fees, books, room and board, and a summer internship to students pursuing an agriculture or agriculture-related bachelor's degree at one of the nineteen 1890 Land Grant Universities, including the  University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff . The deadline to apply is January 31, 2020 . Find more information 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.

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

Historic flood causes financial woes for Arkansas farmers on the road to recovery Extension Service honors Arkansas employees Attempts are underway to rebuild grassland bird populations Entergy Arkansas, NextEra Energy Resources announce groundbreaking of Arkansas’ largest solar energy project Repair costs for levees put at $105M More consumers are trying plant-based protein alternatives  Lonoke County farmer unveils largest privately owned solar farm in Arkansas

Arkansas peanut crop dodges bullet after soggy fall Farm Bureau Insurance Gives $100K to SAU's New Poultry Science Facility Arkansas cotton quality high this growing season Shares of Tyson Foods climb after it wins approval to export poultry to China As difficult harvest closes, economists look on bright side State panel backs aid for county jails, Medicaid rates, FFA site Beef industry to finish strong in 2019 Crop giant trying new tricks in pet-food market

National News

16 Initiatives Changing Urban Agriculture Through Tech and Innovation China's November Soybean Imports Rise After US Trade Deal Some forests crucial for climate change mitigation, biodiversity How the Trade War is Hurting the U.S. Lumber Industry and Forests Around the World Wood buildings are climbing skyward — with pluses for the planet. UT professor argues craft beer industry is re-surging local hop production How climate change influences immigration to the United States Feral Pigs roam the South. Now even Northern States aren't safe. Family Law Issues in Agriculture: Factsheet Series* 2020 Vision: Finding Clarity on Labor and Employment Risks in the New Year* * from the National Agricultural Law Center

Upcoming Agriculture Events

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 Cattle Industry Association & Trade Show: February 5-7 Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association Convention: February 7-9 Produce Safety Grower Training, Little Rock: February 11 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 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show: February 28-29 Arkansas Flower and Garden Show: February 28-March 1 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: Baucum Nursery  Baucum Nursery is a bare root reforestation nursery that is part of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division.   More than 1.1 billion seedlings have been produced at the nursery since it was established in 1956.  Each year, the seven-man field crew at the nursery produces, stores, and distributes more than 7 million hardwood seedlings and 1 million pine seedlings of the highest quality. Seedlings are coupled with genetic backgrounds that provide them with the greatest chance of survival and the highest possible growth potential. These seedlings are sold primarily to private, non-industrial landowners for afforestation and reforestation purposes. Find more information on the Baucum Nursery here.

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