In this issue, we look at the challenges facing Arkansas agritourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, learn why the Issue 1 ballot measure for road funding is so important to rural communities and learn about the fall beauty of the Winona Scenic Drive.
Rick Bransford’s family has been growing cotton and other crops in Lonoke County since the mid-1850s. He has continued that tradition for the past 40 years. He recently took a break from picking his cotton crop to provide an update on how he’s dealt with weather delays and other challenges this year.
This week, we visit the state livestock show in Little Rock and we learn about the production and use of mass timber in Arkansas. We also talk to about the farming life with Steve Morgan of Johnson County and growing organic with Shawn Peebles of Augusta.
Dr. Phil Tappe is retiring at the end of the year following 30 years at the University of Arkansas-Monticello, the past 11 years as Dean of the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Ken Moore spoke with him about his accomplishments and the growth of the College during his tenure.
American-made cotton apparel and products are making a comeback thanks to the entrepreneurship of University of Arkansas graduate Michael Waters. The Memphis native established his business, Stately Cotton, several years ago and is using Arkansas grown cotton for his shirts and other fiber products. His goal is to provide jobs for American textile workers and domestic use for one of the state's key commodities.
This week, we visit with Lee County’s Nathan Reed, who gives us an update on this year’s cotton crop. We also learn about the critical issues on the ballot this Nov. 3 and why they matter for rural Arkansas and we check in with Terry and Robin Fisher, who were 2020 finalists for the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Regional Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award.
Matt Miles is a cotton, corn, rice and soybean farmer from McGehee in Desha County. He’s even trying his hand on a few acres of peanuts. Like many other farmers in southeast Arkansas he’s had to deal with the effects of repeated tropical weather systems during harvest. He provided this update as he was waiting for conditions to dry enough for him to complete his cotton harvest.
Jason Braziel is a vo-ag instructor at Mountain Pine High School in Garland County. But, he also has a cow-calf and hay operation in the Sunshine community. Like other ranchers, he has been baling hay and tending to his cattle when the weather allows. He provided this update from his farm last week during a recent dry spell.
