Governor Asa Hutchinson was joined by Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture in inducting 37 additional Arkansas farms into the Arkansas Century Farm Program.

The Arkansas Century Farm program recognizes Arkansas farms of 10 acres or more owned by the same family for at least 100 years. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture began the Century Farm program in 2012 to highlight the contributions of these families to the agriculture industry as well as their overall contributions to our state.

Agriculture is Arkansas’s largest industry, contributing more than $19 billion to the state’s economy annually and providing one of every seven jobs in the state. Arkansas consistently ranks in the top 25 nationally in the production of more than 16 agricultural commodities.

“Agriculture is Arkansas’s No. 1 industry. Farmers are the strength of our state. To be a farmer takes great perseverance. No one is more optimistic than a farmer, no one perseveres more. The families that have held the same farm for a hundred years or more demonstrate that,” Governor Hutchinson said. “Farm families are essential for our economy, but you also are part of the fabric of our state. Congratulations to this year’s Century Farm Families.”

563 farms are currently recognized as Arkansas Century Farms throughout the state. The 37 newly inducted Century Farms are located in the following 25 counties: Arkansas, Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clark, Cleveland, Conway, Craighead, Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Garland, Independence, Izard, Lincoln, Lonoke, Newton, Perry, Prairie, Pulaski, Searcy, Van Buren, and White.

A list of Arkansas Century Farms can be found here. Photos are available here.

For more information about the Arkansas Century Farm program, contact Beth Moore at [email protected].

Governor Asa Hutchinson, state legislative members, agriculture industry leaders, and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced approval of the state meat inspection program, finalized in a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The state meat inspection program will allow the Department to inspect meat products for shipment within Arkansas.

Arkansas joins 28 states participating in FSIS’s State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs. These programs allow state inspectors to ensure program enforcement and regulatory compliance in small establishments operating within the state. The MPI programs must develop, administer, and enforce requirements “at least equal to” those set forth in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA).

“In 2020, the food supply chain was disrupted, and Arkansas’s meat production was severely limited. The creation of the Arkansas Meat and Poultry Processing grant and the State Meat Inspection Program will provide a much-needed boost to our processing capacity,” Governor Hutchinson said.

“The overwhelmingly approved bipartisan program is a great opportunity for not only producers, but also consumers. It’s a great day to be a beef farmer in the state of Arkansas,” said Representative Deann Vaught.

“The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is thrilled to see the completion of this legislation,” said Michelle Shope, Food Sourcing & Logistics Director, Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. “Proteins are one of the hardest foods for families to afford and are in high demand at food pantries. Increasing certified processors in our state helps us reduce our transportation costs and allows efficient distribution through our member food banks.”

“This program is important for our livestock producers. Joining the State Meat and Poultry Inspection program and expanding the market for their products will help smaller producers maintain profitability,” said Dan Wright, secretary-treasurer, Arkansas Farm Bureau.

“The Arkansas State Meat Inspection program is the realization of multiple years of hard work by Arkansas cattle producers,” said Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) President Phillip DeSalvo. “This program gives Arkansas cattle producers the means to ensure complete control of their product from pasture to plate. The ability for producers to market Arkansas beef to Arkansas consumers is a vital revenue source for some producers. In a time of continuing economic instability, this program will be beneficial to all Arkansans. The ACA would like to thank Governor Hutchinson for his support of this program as well as Representative Deann Vaught and Senator Ricky Hill for their unwavering support and dedication in making this a reality.”

“The state meat inspection program exists to increase the availability of locally-sourced meat and meat products to Arkansans and ensure that all products are safe and wholesome,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.

The need for additional meat processing capacity was highlighted by food supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. In 2020, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture worked with industry stakeholders to receive and distribute $10.4 million in funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act through a Meat and Poultry Processing Grant Program. Subsequently, the Arkansas legislature passed Act 418 during the 2021 legislative session to create a state meat inspection program within the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

Since December 2020, Arkansas’s in-state processing capacity has grown by more than 5 million pounds per year. The processing capacity is expected to continue to grow under the new state meat inspection program due to increased marketing and economic opportunities for local producers.

For more information on program requirements or to apply click here.

Governor Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed October as Arkansas Farm to School Month. This recognition is part of nationwide efforts to connect schools, early childhood education sites, and other educational organizations with local farms to bring fresh, local, and healthy food to children. Find the Governor’s 2022 Arkansas Farm to School Month proclamation here.

Learn more about Arkansas Farm to School Month and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program here!

Testing has confirmed a case of avian influenza on an Arkansas poultry farm in Madison County that showed increased mortality over the course of several days. Following an investigation by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Livestock and Poultry Division (LPD) in collaboration with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Veterinary Services field operations personnel, the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory has confirmed poultry from this farm have tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI).

Avian influenza is an airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among chickens through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers.

There is no public health concern, and avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe to eat.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture and partner agencies, including the USDA, are working to contain the situation. Actions include sampling and quarantining nearby poultry flocks.

“We have taken immediate action to contain this disease and will continue to work with poultry growers, the industry, and our laboratory partners to protect against its spread,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Arkansas poultry is safe to eat, and consumers can be confident in the safety of their food.”

“This finding is the first case of HPAI in commercial poultry in Arkansas since 2015,” said LPD Director Patrick Fisk. “Positive test results were confirmed by the USDA National Veterinary Service Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.”

The detected avian influenza virus is the highly pathogenic H5 type, which is more severe and can cause high mortality in poultry flocks. It is the same strain confirmed in other states and wild birds in the Atlantic flyway.

“The farm is under quarantine to stop the spread of avian influenza to other flocks in the state,” said Arkansas State Veterinarian John Nilz. “The birds on the affected farm were depopulated to prevent the spread of disease and will not enter the food system.”

All poultry flock owners are encouraged to follow the strictest biosecurity on their farms to prevent the spread of the disease. Those steps include:

• Limit, monitor, and record any movement of people, vehicles, or animals on or off your farm.

• Permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm to limit the chances of bringing the virus from an outside source.

• Avoid visiting other poultry farms and any unnecessary travel off the farm.

• Disinfect equipment, vehicles, footwear, and other items that come into contact with flocks.

• Keep your flock away from wild or migratory birds, especially waterfowl.

• Isolate any ill animals and contact your veterinarian.

For more information on avian influenza click here and for protecting poultry, click here.

Backyard flock owners who have sick or unusual deaths in their flocks should email [email protected] or call (501) 823-1746.

Avian influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus that can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and is carried by free flying waterfowl and wild birds, such as ducks, geese, raptors, and shorebirds. AI viruses are classified by a combination of two groups of proteins: hemagglutinin or “H” proteins, of which there are 16 (H1–H16), and neuraminidase or “N” proteins, of which there are 9 (N1–N9). Many different combinations of “H” and “N” proteins are possible. Each combination is considered a different subtype and can be further broken down into different strains which circulate within flyways/geographic regions. AI viruses are further classified by their pathogenicity (low or high)—the ability of a particular virus strain to produce disease in domestic poultry.

Visit arcareers.arkansas.gov or check out our Facebook pages for open positions in Shared Services, Forestry, Livestock and Poultry, Plant Industries, and Natural Resources!

Learn more about NASDA here.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Commission approved two new conservation district director appointments and five reappointments at its meeting on September 28.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division provides leadership and support for Arkansas’s 75 conservation districts. Conservation districts are political subdivisions of the State of Arkansas created by the Arkansas General Assembly in 1937 for the purpose of providing locally led conservation of the state’s land and water resources. Each district is governed by a board of five directors, including three elected by resident landowners and two appointed by the Natural Resources Commission.

“Many state and federal conservation programs are made available through conservation districts,” said Chris Colclasure, Director of the Natural Resources Division. “They provide technical assistance and resources to landowners in their counties, and the local board members play an especially important role in managing district business and staff,” said Colclasure.

Two districts appointed new directors:

• Lafayette County – Stephen Allen

• Prairie County – Sam Prislovsky

Four districts reappointed directors:

• Johnson County – Robert Kimbrough and Jason James

• Lafayette County – Billy Grimmett

• Ouachita County – Allen Russell

• Pike County – Billy Maroon

More information about the Natural Resource Division’s conservation programs can be found here or by contacting Megan Perkins at [email protected] or 501-682-3968.

On September 28, 2022, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Commission approved $140,928,167 for six water and wastewater projects serving more than 391,000 Arkansans. The projects are as follows:

− Bayou Meto Water District, Lonoke County, received a $5,000,000 grant from the American Rescue Plan Act to install ten pumping stations. These stations will move water through underground pipes to non- riparian farms significantly reducing the use of groundwater.

− White River Regional Irrigation District, Prairie County, received a $5,000,000 grant from the American Rescue Plan Act to build five county road crossings over a ten-mile canal segment currently under construction.

− Beaver Water District, Benton County, received a $125,686,157 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to construct a 60-inch diameter pipeline providing water to a large pump station. The water customer base for this project is 380,000.

− Horsehead Water Users Association, Johnson County, received a $2,507,150 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to upgrade the water system. The customer base is 2,275.

− The City of Monticello, Drew County, received a $2,300,880 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to relocate the sewer collection system. The current customer base for this project is 9,174.

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

The Rural Investment to Protect our Environment Program (RIPE) announced that the nonprofit and its partners have been awarded $80 million for a pilot program by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Program. The pilot program will target four states, including Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Virginia.

RIPE is a producer-led organization advancing RIPE100, a conservation program that will pay producers $100 per acre or animal unit for stewardship practices, offering equitable payments above costs associated with practice implementation.

Under the three-year pilot program, RIPE and its partners will help producers prove the value of paying farmers and ranchers for stewardship practices that deliver public value through carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas reduction, improved soil health, water quality, water conservation, and other environmental services. Participants will receive technical support in implementing climate-friendly practices such as cover crops, no-till, nutrient management, and more.

“We are excited to be a partner in this program,” said Jim Whitaker, Arkansas farmer and member of RIPE’s Farmer Advisory Network. “The simplicity of the program should be appealing to local producers who want to implement stewardship practices on their farms.”

In Arkansas, the program will be administered by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division in partnership with the Agricultural Council of Arkansas, Arkansas Rice Federation, Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts, and local conservation districts in eastern Arkansas. The pilot will be implemented in Arkansas, Jefferson, Lincoln, Drew, Craighead, and St. Francis counties over the next three years.

For more information on the RIPE program or to follow updates on the pilot program, visit riperoadmap.org.

Read more about the Meat Processing Grant Program in Arkansas 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.

The 2023 edition of Arkansas Grown is in the works! If you're interested in purchasing advertising space, please contact Amy Lyman at [email protected].

The 2022 Century Farm Induction was held earlier this week. The program honored 37 farm families from 25 counties. Governor Hutchinson and Secretary Ward spoke at the ceremony held at the Arkansas State Capitol. Additional photos from the event can be found here.

Over 60 people from several different state, federal, and private agencies learned how to use backing and flanking techniques for prescribed fires at the 2022 Prescribed Fire Course held at Camp Robinson. Find more photos from from the training course here.

The 2022 Rural Fire Show hosted by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division's Rural Fire Protection Program (RFP) was held at the Conway Expo Center on October 3. Over 650 people attended the event representing 135 Arkansas fire departments. 77 door prizes were given away, including an auto extrication combination tool valued at over $10,000 was won by Center Grove Fire Department in Grant County and multiple departments were recognized for their involvement in the Firewise program. Read more about the event here.

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The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division has extended the application deadline for the 20-year anniversary of the Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) program through October 14, 2022. Arkansas schools needing additional shade on playgrounds can find the STOP program application and guidelines here.

Learn more about Urban & 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].

The Arkansas rice industry donated 214,900 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Foodbank in honor of National Rice Month in September. The donations from seven mills (including Arkansas River Rice, Farmers Granary, Inc., Producers Rice Mill, Ralston Family Farms, Riceland Foods, Inc., Specialty Rice, Inc., and Windmill Rice Company) will provide over 1.6 million servings of rice to help feed families across the state.

Learn more about the Arkansas Rice Federation here.

Learn more about the Arkansas Foodbank here.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Division's application for financial assistance under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) Rehabilitation Grant has been approved in the amount of $226,803. The purpose of this grant program is to provide resources and planning assistance for the rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams.

Find more information on the Groundwater Conservation Tax Credit Program here.

The Pollinator Partnership, in collaboration with conservation partners in each state, has created a Habitat Resources Guide to ensure support to all land stewards. Within this guide, you can find resources specific to Arkansas and beyond that cover plant and insect identification, funding opportunities, technical assistance programs, and much more!

Learn more about Project Wingspan here.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS), Delta Regional Office, is accepting applications for their summer internship. This is a great opportunity for students studying agricultural business, agricultural economics, as well as other disciplines. For more information and to apply, click here.

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.

The summary is available on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Market Reports webpage, as well as each Division's webpage and Facebook page, and you may sign-up to receive the summary by email at Subscribe To Notifications And Publications.

For the latest in Arkansas agriculture, be sure to follow us on social media! Links to our social media pages can be found here.