The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Expands Food Animal Disease Surveillance Capacity |
|
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) has added the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Tollett Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (Tollett lab) in Fayetteville as a branch lab through the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) to enhance the State’s official surveillance programs for diseases that threaten poultry. The Tollett lab’s designation as a branch lab of the Department of Agriculture was approved by NAHLN on November 9, 2022.
The VDL in Little Rock is one of 60 laboratories in the United States that have a cooperative agreement with NAHLN under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The cooperative agreement authorizes the VDL to participate in official surveillance testing programs associated with animal disease outbreaks such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Participation in NAHLN is a vital component of national preparedness in the agriculture sector.
“Poultry is the largest agricultural commodity in Arkansas accounting for approximately 50 percent of our state’s total agricultural cash receipts. Because a large portion of our poultry production occurs in northwest Arkansas, adding the Fayetteville lab to the Department’s NAHLN certification for HPAI testing will greatly enhance our state’s animal disease response capabilities,” said Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture.
Although the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (Division) has operated the Tollett lab in Fayetteville for 14 years, the lab was not previously designated through NAHLN to participate in official surveillance testing programs. The two Arkansas veterinary laboratories will maintain independent administrative and financial status but will share a formal quality management system administered by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s VDL in Little Rock.
“NAHLN certification of the Tollett Lab will improve the Division of Agriculture’s ability to serve the poultry industry in Arkansas and throughout the region,” said Jean-François Meullenet, director of the Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. “We appreciate this opportunity to collaborate with the VDL.”
Nathan Slaton, assistant director of the experiment station, said, “We are grateful for the support and assistance from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s VDL over the last several months. Without their support, this would not have been possible.”
“Bringing the Tollett lab under the Arkansas Veterinary Diagnostic Lab’s NAHLN certification for HPAI testing is forward thinking and an excellent example of what can be accomplished when state entities and industry work together,” said Marvin Childers, President of The Poultry Federation.
After months of constant surveillance testing of poultry flocks and migratory waterfowl for HPAI, the VDL participated in the federal and state incident command structure when HPAI was confirmed in Arkansas on October 8, 2022. The VDL conducted more than 1,000 tests during the incident. All HPAI quarantine zones established during the recent incident have been released.
|
|
Arkansas Department of Agriculture Accepting Applications for Farm to School Program Grants |
|
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the annual Arkansas School Garden Grant Program and Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program to help schools start or expand farm to school activities. Applications will be accepted through December 15, 2022.
The Arkansas School Garden Grant Program is available to help schools start or expand gardens on school grounds. The Department will award $500 grants to 50 schools to purchase soil, specialty crop seeds and plants, and gardening equipment.
The Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program is available to help schools lead cafeteria taste tests of locally grown specialty crops. The Department will award $250 grants to 20 schools to purchase kitchen equipment and utensils, serving materials, and specialty crop seeds and plants.
“School gardens and taste tests have proven to be valuable tools in teaching children about agriculture, nutrition, and a variety of skills,” said Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “The lessons learned through these programs can have a lasting impact on children, their families, and entire communities.”
The grant programs are available to public and private K-12 schools, early childhood education facilities, and alternative learning environments. All eligible schools are encouraged to apply, whether they already have existing farm to school activities or they are just getting started with school gardens and local procurement. Technical assistance is available to all grantees.
The application for both programs can be found here. Applicants are welcome to apply for one or both grant opportunities within the same application.
Both grant programs were developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to increase the production and consumption of specialty crops in schools. Specialty crops as defined by the USDA are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, floriculture, and nursery crops.
|
|
Arkansas Approved for FEMA High Hazard Potential Dam Grant Funding |
|
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce that its Natural Resources Division has been approved for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) Grant in the amount of $226,803. Arkansas is one of 19 total states to receive the grant this fiscal year.
FEMA’s Rehabilitation of HHPD grant program provides technical, planning, design, and construction assistance for eligible rehabilitation activities that reduce dam risk and increase community preparedness. Eligible projects include repair, removal, or structural/nonstructural rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams.
“The Natural Resources Division is excited to receive such a competitive grant award,” said Director of Natural Resources Chris Colclasure. “This funding will better allow cities and communities to institute plans and strategies for dam rehabilitation while focusing on the safety of Arkansans.”
The Natural Resources Division plans to work with targeted communities to implement project scoping for high hazard dams. The period of performance for the grant is September 15, 2022, to September 14, 2025.
Additional information on the Rehabilitation of HHPD Grant program can be found here. |
|
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is Hiring! |
|
Are you passionate about Arkansas agriculture? With many new and exciting career opportunities, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is looking for highly motivated individuals to bring their passion for the Arkansas agriculture industry to the workplace.
|
|
2022 Arkansas Grown
While the agriculture industry certainly looks different across the United States, all 50 states and four territories have a department of agriculture with the same basic purpose- to protect, promote, and support the state's agricultural industry. These departments work together through the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, better known as NASDA.
Read more about how the different states work together to support the United States agriculture industry in the 2022 edition of Arkansas Grown. You can view the magazine online here, or find a physical copy at various locations around the state.
|
|
A crew of eight wildland firefighters with the Forestry Division left Forrest City to work wildfires in Kentucky where they have been experiencing elevated wildfire danger. Forestry Division employees were mobilized as part of the Southeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact which enables participating state forestry agencies to send wildland firefighting resources and personnel across state lines. Photos provided by Katie West at the Forrest City Times-Herald.
Read the full release here. |
|
On Tuesday, November 15th, Secretary Ward gave a presentation at AgX Talks, a project organized by students attending the University of Arkansas Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences.
Secretary Ward spoke about current topics and events in agriculture and led a discussion about agriculture policy and issues in the industry.
|
|
Veterans Day & U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Celebration |
|
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture held a reception to celebrate Veterans Day and the 247th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps with an official cake-cutting ceremony. A special thank you to our guests of honor:
Director Austin Booth, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Commissioner Paul Mlakar, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
Clay Smith, with the office of Governor Hutchinson
Secretary Becky Keogh, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment
Brett Dawson, IMOJE Dawson Family Farms
State Representative Marcus Richmond
State Representative Jon Milligan
State Representative Jon Eubanks
State Representative Brandt Smith
Additional photos from the ceremony can be found here. |
|
Secretary Ward Named Arkansas State University College of Agriculture
Outstanding Alumni
|
|
In October, Secretary Ward was honored with an Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Arkansas State University College of Agriculture. Alongside Secretary Ward, Art Singleton was awarded the Outstanding Alumnus Award, Rick Meadows and Brad Doyle were awarded the Outstanding Service Award, and Allyson Bise was awarded the Young Alumna Award. Photos provided by Arkansas State University College of Agriculture. |
|
Forestry Division County Ranger Eric Smith presented Hoxie Fire Department with a FireWise grant check. |
|
New Resources, Trainings, & Opportunities |
|
New Resources from the National Agricultural Law Center
Recent Webinars:
Recent Blog Posts:
|
|
U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Arkansas Small Businesses |
|
Small nonfarm businesses in seven Arkansas counties are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought that began Oct. 25, 2022 in the following primary counties:
- Lee
- Phillips
- Arkansas
- Crittenden
- Desha
- Monroe
- St. Francis
Additional information can be found here. Read the full press release here. |
|
Third Annual Arkansas FFA Virtual 5K Turkey Trot |
|
The Arkansas FFA Foundation, in partnership with The Poultry Federation, is hosting the third annual Arkansas FFA Virtual 5K Turkey Trot. The virtual 5K is being held from November 1-26.
All proceeds benefit the Arkansas FFA Foundation which enhances teacher resources to be used to motivate, equip, and encourage high school FFA members who are enrolled in agriculture education.
Join now and show your support for Arkansas FFA and the state's turkey industry!
|
|
Improving Biosecurity- Defend the Flock |
|
Visit here to learn more about the Defend the Flock program and how to improve biosecurity in your operation. |
|
Ray Stoesser Memorial Scholarship |
|
For more information and to apply, visit here. |
|
Save the Date: Arkansas Grown Conference |
|
Mark your calendars! The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Arkansas Grown program is partnering with Arkansas agriculture associations and organizations to host the first Arkansas Grown Conference & Expo. This event is open to all parties interested in the Arkansas agriculture industry and will focus on farmers and producers who are committed to our local food system. Conference speakers will cover topics such as legal issues, business management, connecting with buyers, and more!
If you are interested in sponsoring the conference or having a vendor booth, click here. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2022.
The registration deadline is January 11, 2023. Register here.
Read more about the conference here.
|
|
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. |
|
2022 November Crop Production Report |
|
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)'s crop production report for November 2022 is out and available here. This monthly report is the last of the year, however, the 2022 Annual Crop Production report will be published in mid-January 2023.
USDA NASS along with the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) announced that major report briefings will now be livestreamed on the NASS YouTube channel five minutes after release time with information on both the NASS report and the WAOB Supply/Demand (WASDE) report.
Each briefing, including the recent November report, is recorded and can be found here. |
|
2022 Census of Agriculture |
|
This November, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail out a unique survey code to every known ag producer in the U.S. with an invitation to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture online. The paper questionnaire will follow in December with the option to respond online, by mail, or telephone.
The ag census includes every operation – large or small, urban or rural – from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or would normally be produced and sold, in the ag census year. A complete count, with every producer taking the opportunity to be represented in these widely used and influential data, is vital. The data influence business and supply chain logistics and inform policy and program decisions that directly impact producers, their operations, and communities. For more information, click here.
Find the latest ag census information here.
|
|
Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips |
|
Keep your stomach full of turkey and free from foodborne illness this Thanksgiving holiday. USDA reminds us all that it's important to remember the steps to food safety during America's biggest meal.
Read the full release and learn more about how to have a safe and healthy holiday season here.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Arkansas Ag Facts: Arkansas Turkey Week
November 20-26
|
|
- The Arkansas poultry industry, including turkeys, leads Arkansas's agricultural sector with total cash receipts of $5.1 billion or almost 50% of state agricultural cash receipts.
- Arkansas ranks third in the nation in turkeys raised, producing over 12.5 percent of all turkeys raised in the U.S.
- Arkansas produces 27 million turkeys per year, providing over 540 million pounds of protein annually.
- Turkey production adds approximately $443 million in value to Arkansas's economy annually.
- The Arkansas turkey industry creates and supports 17,538 jobs in Arkansas.
- Cargill and Butterball, two of the largest turkey companies in the U.S., have facilities in four Arkansas cities: Jonesboro, Springdale, Huntsville, and Ozark.
|
|
Upcoming Agriculture Events |
|
- Buffalo River Conservation Committee Meeting, November 18
- Arkansas Farm Bureau 88th Annual Convention, November 30-December 2
- Arkansas Water Well Construction Commission Meeting, December 1
-
Natural Resources Commission Meeting, December 2
- Natural Resources Division Northwest Annual Conservation District Training, December 5
- Feral Hog Eradication Task Force Meeting, December 6
- Natural Resources Division Northwest Conservation District Training, December 7
- Natural Resources Division Southeast Conservation District Training, December 12
-
Arkansas State Plant Board Meeting, December 15
- Arkansas State Board of Registration for Foresters, December 16
- Arkansas Grown Conference, January 25-28
|
|
Opt-in to receive email notifications (board meeting notices, newsletters, etc.)
from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
