Nine Arkansas Schools Selected to Participate in Annual Shade Trees on Playgrounds Program

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division has selected nine schools to participate in the 2023 Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) Program:

• Bob Folsom Elementary School, Farmington
• Linda Childers Knapp Elementary School, Springdale
• Faulk Elementary School, West Memphis
• Greene County Tech Primary School, Paragould
• Little Martians Learning Center, Springdale
• Marion Math, Science, and Technology Magnet School, Marion
• Two Rivers Elementary School, Ola
• Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Family Services Residential Childcare, Monticello
• White County Central Bear Cub Preschool, Judsonia

The STOP Program was organized to lower adult skin cancer risk by reducing childhood exposure to direct sunlight where children play, like school and daycare playgrounds. Selected schools receive up to five shade trees, mulch, watering supplies, and planting guidelines after participating in program training. Forestry Division personnel assist with the transport and planting of the trees.

“The STOP Program combines hands-on, outdoor experiences with classroom curriculum about the importance of trees and how to care for them,” said Kristine Kimbro, Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator. “We hope this program not only improves the health of Arkansas students but leaves a lasting impression about the value of forests and how to be good stewards of our natural resources.”

To qualify, participating schools must lack shade, participate in a virtual STOP workshop, include curriculum resources that emphasize the importance of trees and forestry in Arkansas, hold a tree-planting ceremony with students, and agree to provide long-term maintenance of the planted shade trees. The trees are native species chosen to fit the unique conditions of each playground.

Learn more about the STOP Program and other Urban and Community Forestry services and programs here. With program questions, contact Kristine Kimbro at 479-228-7929 or [email protected], or Harold Fisher at 501-580-4054 or [email protected].

2023 Rural Fire Show to be Held on October 7

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division and the Arkansas Rural and Volunteer Firefighters Association (ARVFA) will host the 2023 Rural Fire Show on Saturday, October 7. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Conway Expo and Event Center.

The Rural Fire Show is a free event held in appreciation for Arkansas firefighters and their families to honor the service and protection they provide throughout the state. The event will include training opportunities, equipment demonstrations, resources and information, networking opportunities, and a catered lunch with door prizes.

“We have more than 850 rural fire departments that partner with the Forestry Division when we fight wildland fires,” said State Forester Kyle Cunningham. “We are proud to host this annual event with ARVFA to show our appreciation for those firefighters and their families.”

All firefighters are welcome to participate. Interested individuals can RSVP by emailing Lisa Clark at l[email protected]. Learn more about the Forestry Division’s Rural Fire Protection Program here.

Over $217 Million Provided for Arkansas Water and Wastewater Projects

On September 20, 2023, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Commission approved $217,767,302 in financial assistance for 16 water and wastewater projects serving more than 622,472 Arkansans. The projects are as follows:

• City of Altheimer, Jefferson County, received a $1,606,172 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to install a new waterline from a new elevated tank. The current customer base for this project is 696.

• City of Arkadelphia, Clark County, received a $4,250,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to complete all work required to bring the city into compliance with federal requirements. The current customer base for this project is 10,380.

• City of Ashdown, Little River County, received a $12,510,650 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund for water distribution improvements. The current customer base for this project is 4,261.

• Central Arkansas Water, Pulaski County, received a $150,000,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund for the Wilson Water Treatment Plant Renewal and Resiliency Project. The current customer base for this project is 500,000.

• Dorcheat Public Water Authority, Columbia County, received a $548,825 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to replace existing water meters. The current customer base for this project is 11,562.

• City of Dumas, Desha County, received a $154,884 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to install a waterline connecting Dumas and Pickens. The current customer base for this project is 5,238.

• City of Greenland, Washington County, received a $3,204,000 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund for a wastewater system rehabilitation project. The current customer base for this project is 1,259.

• City of Mountain Home, Baxter County, received a $7,000,000 loan from the Arkansas Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement Facilities General Obligation Bond Fund to replace and upgrade existing wastewater treatment plant equipment. The current customer base for this project is 12,825.

• North White County Rural Water, White County, received a $2,721,045 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to install new water mains along Rocky Point Road. The current customer base is 5,973.

• City of Paragould, Greene County, received a $9,482,814 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund and a $5,509,500 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund for two projects to improve their water and wastewater treatment plants. The current customer base for these projects is 31,043.

• Runyan Acres Sewer Improvement District 211, Pulaski County, received a $8,155,412 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund to improve their wastewater treatment plant. The current customer base for this project is 1,549.

• City of Texarkana, Miller County, received three loans totaling $8,324,000 from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund for three separate projects. The city received a $3,551,000 loan to replace failing mainline pipe, a $1,533,000 loan to replace water mains along East Street, and a $3,240,000 loan to construct and install an elevated storage tank. The current customer base for these projects is 29,387.

• City of Wynne, Cross County, received a $4,300,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to complete all work required to bring the city into compliance with federal requirements. The current customer base for this project is 8,299.

More information about the Natural Resources Division’s water and wastewater programs can be found here or by contacting Debby Dickson at [email protected] or 501-682-0548.

Governor Sanders Authorizes Deployment of Arkansas Wildland Firefighters to Assist Louisiana

Last month, Governor Sanders authorized a crew of six wildland firefighters from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division to assist the State of Louisiana with their ongoing wildfire suppression efforts.

Forestry Division employees were mobilized as part of the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact. The compact enables participating state forestry agencies to send wildland firefighting resources and personnel across state lines to assist with wildfire suppression.

The six-person crew assisted with the Tiger Island Fire for a two-week period beginning September 20. The primary role of the crew was to check and maintain existing firebreaks. The Forestry Division also sent trucks and ATVs with water tanks to assist with the wildfire response efforts.

Governor Sanders previously authorized the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to send a Division Supervisor to supervise several fire suppression crews assigned to the Tiger Island Fire in Louisiana from September 8 to 23. The Tiger Island Fire is under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Find more information here.

Governor Sanders authorized two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Arkansas National Guard’s 77th Theater Aviation Brigade to assist the Louisiana National Guard’s wildfire suppression efforts from August 31 to September 7.

Similarly, the Governor has also previously authorized a four-person crew from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division to deploy to Oregon from August 7 to 27 to assist with wildfire suppression in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

The entry and spread of animal diseases can have detrimental effects to our nation's economy, food supply, and overall health. The protection of our state's livestock and poultry industries is essential, and one of the assets used to accomplish this is the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL).

Read more about the VDL and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network 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.

Photo Features

The Arkansas Prescribed Fire Council held the 2023 Prescribed Fire Workshop from October 2-6 at Camp Robinson. Students heard from representatives from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division, National Weather Service, The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.

On October 1, Kyle Cunningham, State Forester, and James Shelton, Baucum Nursery Supervisor, represented the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) at the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (ASO)'s opening concert "Pines of Rome." The Department partnered with ASO to distribute approximately 200 pine seedlings to concert attendees.

The Arkansas Beekeepers Association held its annual conference on September 29-30 in Mountain View. Representatives from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture were present and Jacob Bates, Apiary Inspector, gave a presentation.

On September 20, Secretary Ward joined Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Rice Federation at the Arkansas Foodbank to celebrate Arkansas Rice Month. At the event, the Arkansas Rice Federation announced a donation of 240,000 pounds of rice from participating mills throughout the state. Participating rice mills included Anheuser Busch of Jonesboro, Arkansas River Rice of Pine Bluff, Isbell Farms of Humnoke, Poinsett Rice & Grain of Jonesboro, Producers Rice Mill of Stuttgart, Ralston Family Farms of Atkins, Riceland Foods, Inc. of Stuttgart, Riviana Foods of Carlisle, Specialty Rice, Inc. of Brinkley, and Windmill Rice Company of Jonesboro. 

The Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board met on September 19 at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Mark Stoll, Administrator, provided an administrative report and members discussed 2023-2024 project funding and the latest industry research.

On August 31, two representatives from Corporación Multi Inversiones (CMI), one of the largest importers and end-users of feed grains in Central America, met with producers at the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Producers building. The representatives met with Tommy Young, producer and member of the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board, to discuss corn production in Arkansas and tour his farm and processing facilities.

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:

• October 18: Not Your Grandfather's Corn Maze - Regulatory and Legal Responses to Challenges Faced by Agriculture Due to PFAS Contamination
• November 15: What's Up with WOTUS: Post-Sackett and Beyond
• January 17: An Overview of Landowners' Rights in Federal Rail-to-Trail Conversions
• February 21: What's the Harm? Examining the EPA's New Approach to ESA Compliance When Making FIFRA Decisions

Recent Blog Posts:

• Court Rules that EPA Must Engage in ESA Consultation When Adopting Water Quality Standards
• Resources at a Glance: Foreign Ownership of Ag Land
• Recent Federal and State Heat Safety Proposals
• USDA Provides Additional Round of Debt Relief Payments to "Distressed" Farm Borrowers
• Landowners Question Authority of Agency Adjudication
• USDA Publishes Final Dairy Donation Program Rule

University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture to Host Cattle Artificial Insemination Workshops

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will conduct a pair of two-day workshops in cattle artificial insemination. The workshops are scheduled for October 12-13 and November 9-10. The courses will both be held at the Southwest Research and Extension Center, located at 362 Hwy. 174 N., Hope, Arkansas.

The registration fee for each workshop is $450, which includes lunch. Payments must be made prior to the workshops. Registration fees are non-refundable and will not be accepted on-site. Fees are due by October 9 for the October session and by November 6 for the November session. Learn more and register here. 

Dam Safety Workshop for Owners and Operators

The Arkansas Natural Resources Division is hosting a free, one-day dam safety workshop designed to provide practical, straightforward information on topics of importance to anyone who owns or operates a dam. Participants will have the opportunity to meet and network with state dam safety officials and other dam owners. The workshop will be held Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Horseshoe Bend Municipal Recreation Improvement District Clubhouse in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.

Find more information here. To register, contact Whit Montague at (501) 628-3969 or [email protected].

James E. Tatum Scholarship Program Accepting Applications

The National Organization of Professional Black Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees is now accepting applications for the James E. Tatum Scholarship Program. The program offers a limited scholarship to fund United States citizens who are seeking a bachelor’s degree in agriculture sciences or related fields at one of the nineteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Institutions. All applications must be received by 5 p.m. (CST) on October 27, 2023. Learn more and apply here.

United States Department of Agriculture Designates Disaster Areas in Arkansas

On September 25, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated 10 Mississippi counties, nine Louisiana parishes, and three Oklahoma counties as primary natural disaster areas due to recent drought. These designations also extend to the following contiguous Arkansas counties:

• Ashley County
• Chicot County
• Columbia County
• Lafayette County
• Little River County
• Miller County
• Polk County
• Sevier County
• Union County

On September 5, USDA designated seven Arkansas counties as primary disaster areas due to tornadoes, high wind, hail, lightning, and excessive rain that occurred in the state from June 7 to July 14, 2023. The primary counties designated as disaster areas are as follows:

• Ashley
• Conway
• Mississippi
• Monroe
• Pope
• Prairie
• Stone

Additionally, the following 26 Arkansas counties were designated contiguous disaster counties:

A Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in primary areas and those parishes and counties contiguous to such primary areas eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loan assistance, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible areas have eight months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans.

• Farm to school enriches the connection Arkansas communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools, early childhood education facilities, and alternative learning environments.
•  Farm to school programs connect Arkansas's students to food, agriculture, and nutrition-based education, skill-building, and experiences, with the goal of improving academic achievement and health outcomes.
• Arkansas's early childhood education facilities, K-12 schools, and alternative learning environments have been identified as a significant market for local and regional food products spending over $130 million on food per year, including $28.8 million spent on local food.
• Farm to school programs are expanding across Arkansas, with at least 731 schools and 346,080 students in Arkansas participating.
• Learn more about the Arkansas Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program here.

• 2023 Rural Fire Show, October 7
• Seed Funding for Small Farms, Agtech, and More: Introduction to the USDA SBIR Program (Webinar), October 10
• 2023 Poultry Symposium for Production and Processing, October 10-11
• Arkansas Forestry Commission Registered Forester Committee Meeting, October 13
• Arkansas State Fair, October 13-22
• Innovative Ag Conference, October 20
• Dam Safety Workshop for Owners and Operators, October 24
• Farm to School Month Celebration Event, October 26
• Buffalo River Conservation Committee Meeting, October 31
• Agricultural Council of Arkansas Annual Board of Directors Meeting, December 14-15
• 2024 Arkansas Grown Conference and Expo, January 25-27