Scholarship Opportunities Available for Students Studying Agriculture or Veterinary Medicine |
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The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for two scholarship programs for students enrolled in or entering an undergraduate or post-graduate degree program related to agriculture or a post-graduate degree program related to veterinary medicine. Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2023, and can be found here.
“The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is pleased to administer Act 706 which was sponsored by Senator Ricky Hill, Senator Missy Irvin, Senator Greg Leding, and Representative Deann Vaught during the 2023 legislative session and will provide scholarship funding for students seeking agriculture and veterinary careers in Arkansas,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.
Recipients of the agriculture scholarship for an undergraduate program may receive up to $8,000 per year for up to four years. Applicants must be enrolled in or entering an undergraduate degree program or a post-graduate degree program related to agriculture. Applicants must agree to work full-time in Arkansas for at least two years upon graduation.
Recipients of the rural veterinary scholarship may receive up to $15,000 per year for up to four years. Applicants must be enrolled in or entering a post-graduate degree program in veterinary medicine at an institution of higher education. Applicants must agree to work full-time upon graduation in rural Arkansas or for a licensed veterinary practice with at least 50 percent of the practice being food animals.
Selections will be based on academic achievement, character, leadership, career plans, and financial need.
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Over $200,000 Provided for Arkansas Water and Wastewater Projects |
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On July 12, 2023, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Commission approved $203,000 for two water and wastewater projects serving more than 11,000 Arkansans. The projects are as follows:
- City of Helena-West Helena, Phillips County, received a $100,000 loan from the Water Development Fund for emergency repairs to the water treatment plant and distribution system. The current customer base for this project is 9,519.
- Massey Alexander Levee District, Jackson County, received a $103,000 loan from the Water Development Fund for the necessary completion of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certification. The current customer base for this project is 1,500.
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Public Meeting for Illinois River Watershed Management Plan Set for August 10 |
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The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division (NRD), in partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC), has scheduled the third in a series of public meetings to update the watershed-based management plan for the Illinois River Watershed. The meeting will be held on August 10, 2023, in West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma.
The Illinois River and its tributaries have a variety of uses set forth by the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission (APCEC), including fisheries, recreation, drinking water supply, and agricultural and industrial water supply. The goal of this watershed-based plan is to protect and improve water quality in streams and other waterbodies by addressing non-regulatory issues through voluntary activities or practices.
“We greatly appreciate the overwhelming turnout of nearly 100 stakeholders for the second meeting in May,” said Tate Wentz, NRD Water Quality Section Manager. “The third meeting will focus on watershed modeling and anticipated outcomes of conservation practice implementation. We will continue to accept input from stakeholders about those practices, so it is critical for anyone interested to attend as it will help guide resource allocations to improve water quality into the future.”
The meeting is open to the public and will provide an overview of the watershed management planning process. Stakeholders will discuss water quality issues, conservation practices, the current state of the watershed, and the next steps in the development of the management plan.
The meeting is set for August 10 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be held at the Cherokee Casino and Hotel located at 2416 US-412, West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma, 74338.
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Feral Hog Eradication Task Force: June 2023 Update |
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The Feral Hog Eradication Task Force continued its efforts in June 2023 and removed 1,362 feral hogs across Arkansas. Additionally, Arkansas residents reported the removal of 269 feral hogs. Learn more about the Task Force and its efforts here. |
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Water 2050: Where All Stakeholders Collaborate for the Public Good |
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Earlier this month, Chelsea Boozer, Central Arkansas Water, and Elizabeth Heiles, Hawkins-Weir Engineers, Inc., published a column in the American Water Works Associations's The Last Drop. In the column, they discuss a project they are leading to develop a sustainability matrix for drinking water utilities in Arkansas. Central Arkansas Water and Hawkins-Weir Engineers, Inc. have worked closely with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Division on this project. Read the column here. |
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2023 Arkansas Grown Magazine
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Each year, thousands of exhibitors and agriculturalists, from farmers to policymakers, join to witness the largest technological advances in the agriculture industry at the Sunbelt Ag Expo. During the 44th Annual Sunbelt Ag Expo, held in October of 2022, Arkansas was featured as the Spotlight State.
Read more about Arkansas agriculture's feature at America's largest farm show 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 July 20, the National Black Growers Council (NBGC) hosted a farm field day at Haynie Farms in Altheimer, Arkansas. The event focused on topics related to rice, corn, and soybean production, crop protection, and irrigation practices. Learn more about the NBGC here. |
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The 2023 Arkansas Water Resources Conference was held from July 18-20, at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Staff from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division and Natural Resources Division gave presentations on nonpoint source pollution, forestry and drinking water, and the Arkansas Nutrient Reduction Strategy. |
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On July 14, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward presented Governor Sanders' Arkansas Corn Month proclamation at the 9th Annual Corn Supper in Dumas, Arkansas.
Photo credit: Arkansas Farm Bureau
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On July 13, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture attended the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting.
Photo credit: Sebastian County Conservation District
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At the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting, Chris Wyatt of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department)'s Forestry Division received the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) Arkansas State Conservationist Partnership Award. |
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Chris Colclasure, Director of the Department's Natural Resources Division, presented an Arkansas Traveler certificate to Kenneth Walker, Assistant Chief for the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. |
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Commissioner Roy Reeves, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, also received the USDA-NRCS Arkansas State Conservationist Partnership Award.
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On July 12, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) met at the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts (AACD) annual meeting. The ANRC approved funding for two water and wastewater projects and heard updates from staff on legislative changes. The ANRC also heard updates from the AACD, United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, United States Geological Survey, and United States Army Corps of Engineers. |
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On July 7, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) hosted interns participating in the 2023 MyARInternship Program. The group met with Deputy Secretary Cynthia Edwards and Division Directors to learn about programs and services provided by the Department. |
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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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The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UADA) is hosting the 2023 Rice Field Day on August 3 from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart where UADA staff will present the latest research and recommendations in rice production. Walk-up registration will be available on the day of the event. Visit here for more information. |
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Third Annual Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Joint Regional Conference |
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Prairie View A&M University will host the Third Annual Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program (SLFR) Joint Conference in partnership with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff on August 29-30. The free virtual conference supports the SLFR mission, which focuses on assisting African American forest landowners with addressing heir property issues and forest management planning to retain land and build wealth. This conference will host prominent speakers, including local, state, and federal officials. Interested individuals can register here and contact Angela Moore at almoore@pvamu.edu or Kandi Williams at williamska@uapb.edu. |
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Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge Accepting Entries Until August 1 |
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Each year the Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge recognizes and rewards Arkansas's top soybean producers. The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, Arkansas Soybean Association, and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture unite to implement and promote this contest. The board sponsors the yield challenge, which provides information and tools to Arkansas soybean producers, such as a look at how top yields are reached. Your checkoff funds are used to reward producers for their hard work in helping to increase yield in Arkansas. Enrollment for 2023 is open and the application can be found here. The entry deadline is August 1.
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Farmer Health and Our Changing Climate Survey |
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The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is conducting research for a voluntary project on small farmer health, farming practices, and how the changing climate impacts farmer health. Researchers are looking to hear from willing participants in a survey who are 18 years or older and own a small farm in Arkansas with a gross farm cash income under $250,000. The survey is anonymous, takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, and is available in English and Spanish. Upon completion, participants will receive a $20 gift card. Find the survey in English here and Spanish here. For more information contact Rachel Hale at rbhale@uams.edu. |
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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 to Measure Crop Production Throughout the Growing Season |
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The Monthly Agricultural Yield Survey conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey U.S. farmers beginning July 29, 2023, regarding acreage and yields of the major row crops throughout the growing season.
The Agricultural Yield Survey captures changes in yield that occur due to weather, pests, disease, and other factors. NASS encourages producers to respond via the Internet but also welcomes mail or fax responses and offers the opportunity for a telephone interview to those producers who did not respond by the deadline. Additional information can be found here. |
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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 until 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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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 Corn Month |
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- Governor Sanders has proclaimed July as Arkansas Corn Month!
- The United States agricultural sector produces over $543 billion in commodities annually and employs millions of people.
- Over 120 million bushels of corn were produced last year in Arkansas on 695,000 acres.
- In 2022, the value of corn produced in Arkansas reached nearly $800 million.
- Arkansas ranks 15th nationally in corn production, with Arkansas, Lee, and Lonoke counties being the top three producing counties.
- Corn is featured in several events throughout the state, including the Dumas Chamber of Commerce Corn Supper, the Cornbread Festival in Little Rock, and corn mazes throughout the fall months.
- Corn is one of the most widely consumed cereal grains worldwide and is widely used for fuel and animal feed.
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Upcoming Agriculture Events |
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