Arkansas Farmers Market Week |
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Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has proclaimed June 11-17 as Arkansas Farmers Market Week! Farmers markets play an important role in developing local and regional food systems that support the sustainability of family farms and the revitalization of rural communities. Join the Arkansas Department of Agriculture in celebrating Arkansas’s farmers markets on Friday, June 9, at 9 a.m. at the Oak Forest Community Garden! The Oak Forest Community Garden is located at 2600 South Monroe Street in Little Rock. RSVP for the event here.
This is the perfect time of year to visit farmers markets in your area and support local producers! Visit here to find farmers markets near you and discover a wide variety of products grown and made right here in Arkansas.
Find the 2023 Arkansas Farmers Market Week promotional media kit here and be sure to tag Arkansas Grown and Arkansas Made in your social media posts! |
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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Releases Survey for the Public to Report Pine Tree Discoloration and Mortality |
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The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division (Forestry Division) has released a survey for members of the public to report pine tree discoloration and/or mortality, specifically in southeast Arkansas. Find the survey here.
The increase in pine tree discoloration and mortality is an issue that has been observed in Arkansas and neighboring states. No specific cause has been identified and several possible causes are being considered.
This survey will provide Forestry Division staff and partners with data to further investigate this issue. The survey will collect information about the date and location of the observation, the environment where the observation occurred, and other general observations.
To analyze the causes of pine tree mortality and identify solutions, the Forestry Division is working with multiple partners, including the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources; the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service; and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industries Division.
Visit here for more information about pine tree discoloration and/or mortality. Read a story from Josh Snyder, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, featuring this issue here.
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Arkansas School Garden of the Year Contest Accepting Entries |
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Entries are being accepted for the tenth annual Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest, sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. Applicants may be any school, early childhood education facility, or alternative learning environment that had a school garden during the 2022-2023 school year or is planning to start a garden in the 2023-2024 school year.
Applicants are eligible to apply for the following categories:
- Best Start-up School Garden Proposal - $500 Award
- Best Education Based School Garden - $500 Award
- Best Harvest Partnership School Garden - $500 Award
- Best Community Collaboration School Garden - $500 Award
- Best Overall School Garden - $1000 Award
- Champion of School Garden Sustainability - $1000 Award
Entries for the contest will be accepted through June 11, 2023, and the application can be found here. Winners will be announced in the fall of 2023. More information about the Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest can be found here
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10,000 Trees Given Away During Arkansas Department of Agriculture "Free Tree Fridays" Campaign |
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The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s third annual “Free Tree Fridays” campaign resulted in the distribution of 10,000 trees during 28 events held across the state each Friday from March 17 through April 28. The events were hosted by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division (Forestry Division) in honor of National Arbor Day, which is celebrated annually on the last Friday of April.
The Arbor Day act of planting a tree gives hope that the tree will grow to provide clean air and water, cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, healthier communities, and natural beauty. The idea for the annual Free Tree Fridays campaign started in 2021 when Grant County Ranger Troy Wood requested an Arbor Day celebration giveaway in his county.
“We’re always getting calls from the public asking for trees or information about where to buy trees, so I thought a giveaway would be a great way to get trees to them and help them learn more about the work of the Forestry Division,” said Wood. “This way we can talk to landowners about our programs, and what better time to give away trees than Arbor Day?”
“This program is an excellent way to provide access to trees for people who may never have planted a tree,” said Kristine Kimbro, Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator. “Arbor Day celebrates trees, and through Free Tree Fridays, we are able to promote proper planting techniques for bare root and potted trees, as well as the importance of planting native species.”
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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Officers Work Leads to Warrant Issued in Howard County |
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The Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Law Enforcement officers were contacted earlier this year regarding the loss of cattle due to starvation and lack of care in Howard County. A warrant was issued by Howard County Circuit Court Judge Tom Cooper for the arrest of a Bismarck man involved in the cattle loss. Read the full story here. Find out more about the work of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement and Emergency Response here.
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2023 Arkansas Grown Magazine
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The drought of 2022 left its impact on Arkansas and served as a reminder of just how precious water is in preserving life and sustaining agricultural production across the globe. We often forget that water is viewed as a regional resource provided by local bodies of water, many of which are shared between neighboring states.
Read more about how interstate stream compacts ensure the protection of water sources across state lines in the 2023 edition of Arkansas Grown. You can view the magazine online here, or find a physical copy at various locations around the state! With more than 25 features about Arkansas agriculture, there's something for everyone. |
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On May 25, the Sustainable Agroforestry Group from Indonesia visited the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to learn more about the agriculture industry in Arkansas. The visit was made possible by the Global Ties Network and the International Visitor Leadership Program. Guests heard from Secretary Wes Ward, State Forester Joe Fox, and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Lieutenant Adam Baker. Additional photos from the visit can be found here.
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Crews from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division along with crews from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Oklahoma Forestry Services, Choctaw Nation Forestry Program, United States Forest Service, and the Camp Robinson Fire Department attended dozer training at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock. Throughout the week, attendees participated in classes and fieldwork. Additional photos can be found here. |
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The Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Division (NRD) attended the 2023 Arkansas Rural Development Conference in Hot Springs on May 23. Pictured: Amy Theriac, NRD Water Resources Division Program Outreach Coordinator, speaks with Jasper Mayor Mike Thomas on how to sign up for email alerts for water and wastewater projects.
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On May 22, Secretary Ward joined other National Association of State Department of Agriculture (NASDA) members and Daniel Whitley, United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator, at the 2023 "A Taste of the States: Chicago" event.
Photo credit: NASDA
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On May 19, Cynthia Edwards, Arkansas Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, spoke to students on the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UADA) Community, Professional, and Economic Development's Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour. Edwards gave an overview of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, the work that each Division does, and career opportunities.
Photo credit: UADA Community, Professional, and Economic Development
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New Resources, Trainings, & Opportunities |
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New Resources from the National Agricultural Law Center
Introducing The Feed:
The body of laws, policies, and regulations affecting agriculture is vast and fast-changing, but the National Agricultural Law Center has introduced The Feed, a biweekly newsletter aimed at keeping industry professionals up to date.
Content is written by research attorneys but is designed for non-attorneys as well. Find recent issues of The Feed here.
Upcoming Webinars:
Recent Blog Posts:
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Center for Arkansas Farms and Food - Growers School |
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The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Center for Arkansas Farms and Food (CAFF) is hosting Growers School on June 11 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the CAFF Farm in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Topics covered will include pack shed design, equipment, post-harvest handling, record keeping, and an overview of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Audits and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The cost to attend is $10. Interested individuals can register here. |
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The Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Division is hosting a dam safety workshop for owners and operators on June 13 at the Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock. The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Workshop registration is free. The workshop is designed to provide practical, straightforward information on topics of importance regarding operation of private dams. This year’s workshop specifically focuses on topics of interest to homeowner and property owner associations. Please contact Whit Montague at whitney.montague@agriculture.arkansas.gov with questions.
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Quail Forever is hosting the 2023 Pollinator Palooza in celebration of pollinators and their habitat! The event will include guided habitat hikes, native plant vendors, and kid-friendly activities. Join Quail Forever for the event on June 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Camp Robinson Special Use Area in Mayflower, Arkansas. The event is free to attend, but registration is encouraged. Learn more and register here. |
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2023 Horticulture Field Day |
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The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is hosting the 2023 Horticulture Field Day at the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope, Arkansas. The event will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on June 28. Attendees will learn about the latest research results on vegetable, fruit, and turfgrass field trials. Learn more and find a complete agenda here. Interested individuals should call (870) 777-9702 or pre-register here before June 26. Registration is $20, and walk-up registration will be available on the day of the event. |
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Arkansas Department of Agriculture's
Annual Report
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report provides information about the Department and how it served Arkansas agriculture, our state's largest industry, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Click here to view the 2022 Annual Report. |
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USDA Offers Assistance to Help Organic Dairy Producers Cover Increased Costs with the new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) |
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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced assistance for dairy producers with the new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). ODMAP is established to help mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. Specifically, under the ODMAP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is making $104 million available to organic dairy operations to assist with projected marketing costs in 2023, calculated using their marketing costs in 2022.
FSA will accept applications from May 24 to July 27, 2023. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats, and sheep. To apply, producers should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center. Learn more here. |
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USDA Offers Arkansas Producers Many Conservation Choices with Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) |
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Agricultural producers and landowners interested in conservation opportunities for their
land in exchange for yearly rental payments can find many possibilities through the United States
Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Continuous Conservation Reserve Program
(Continuous CRP) enrollment. This option offers conservation benefits similar to others,
like General and Grassland CRP, but also offers unique flexibility and several program
choices. Learn more here. To sign up, producers should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center. |
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Arkansas Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Announces Sign-Up for Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Conservation Opportunities |
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The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Arkansas announced two additional sign-ups through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program’s (EQIP) Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Initiative and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round, but to be included in this funding opportunity, interested producers should contact their local USDA Service Center and apply by June 16, 2023. Applicants are encouraged to work with NRCS and the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to complete eligibility requirements at their earliest convenience during the application process.
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Arkansas Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Solicits Conservation Innovation Grant Proposals |
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Mike Sullivan, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Arkansas state conservationist, announced approximately $300,000 in funding is available through the state Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies within Arkansas.
State, tribal, and local governmental entities; non-governmental organizations; and individuals may apply. Project proposals must be submitted by June 22, 2023, and should demonstrate the use of innovative technologies or approaches to address a natural resource concern. Project results are expected to improve and create conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems). For more information on CIG contact Lori Barker, state CIG program manager, at (870) 523-8986 or lori.barker@ar.usda.gov. The request for proposals and related forms are located here.
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Weekly Market Summary
Each Friday, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture publishes a comprehensive Weekly Market Summary, which includes the Arkansas Weekly Livestock Auction Summary and Related Individual Market Sale Summaries, National Weekly Rice Summary, Memphis Weekly Feed Report, Weekly Rice, Grain, Cotton, and Feed Futures Trends, Weekly Livestock and Milk Futures Trends, Bid Prices to Farmers, Arkansas Daily Grain Report, Heading Links for Historical Data, and news.
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Follow us on social media!
For the latest in Arkansas agriculture, be sure to follow us on social media! Links to our social media pages can be found here.
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Arkansas Ag Facts: Arkansas Farmers Market Week |
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- Governor Sanders has proclaimed June 11-17 as Arkansas Farmers Market Week!
- Farmers markets across the U.S. play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support the sustainability of family farms and the revitalization of rural communities.
- 98% of Arkansas counties have farmer direct-to-consumer sales.
- More than 112 known Arkansas farmers markets are important outlets for agricultural producers, connecting them to consumers who are increasingly interested in investing in locally sourced products.
- The increased consumption of fresh, affordable products including vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, eggs, jams and jellies, and other farm products found at farmers markets improves the health and well-being of Arkansans.
- Access to healthy foods is a priority of the Healthy Active Arkansas Initiative to reduce obesity rates in the State of Arkansas, and through efforts of initiatives like these, the number of Arkansas farmers markets has nearly doubled in the last decade.
- Direct-to-consumer sales in Arkansas from farmers markets and other direct marketing channels are used by over 1,500 Arkansas farmers and are valued at more than $9.2 million.
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Upcoming Agriculture Events |
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The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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