This week, we hear from the leader of the firefighting team from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division that recently returned from helping to fight the destructive West Coast blazes. We also learn about the Arkansas Food Conservancy’s work in Northwest Arkansas, get an update on this year’s peanut crop and hear from a farmer working to bring in his harvest before more rain arrives this weekend.
2020 has been a challenging year for the Peebles Farm agritourism operation near Augusta in Woodruff County, but as Molly Gaskin tells us, they've found ways to accommodate guests despite the pandemic and encourage people to come visit with their families.
Arkansas Farm Bureau officials say that the strong response to a new $5 million grant program for expanding and upgrading Arkansas meat processing facilities highlights the need for reviving a state meat inspection program. Last month, the General Assembly allocated funds from the federal CARES Act to create the grant program, which generated 45 applications requesting more than $30 million in funds.
Producers of corn & soy beans can now apply for a second wave of assistance through the USDA's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Brandy Carroll, ArFB's Director of Commodity Activities & Market Information joined us to share important information about this program.
Dustin raises beef at his Cowbell Farm in Newton County. He's the Young Farmers & Ranchers state chairman. He switched from a traditional sale barn, cow-calf operation to a custom beef operation that draws local customers to his Facebook page. He discussed his new approach and support for reestablishing a state meat inspection program to encourage the establishment of more meat processing facilities that cater to custom meat producers.
Kevin and Rebekah Hicks own Hicks Family Farms between Lonoke and Cabot. Their annual fall Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze opened October 3. But, because of Covid-19 they are only open on weekends and visitors must follow health department safety protocols. The Hicks have been welcoming families to their farm for the past 10 years, many of them repeat visitors. Though the experience will be different this year, they did not want the pandemic to prevent them from sharing this family-friendly experience with their neighbors and the public.
Arkansas Farm Bureau has hired Jenny Higgs as digital production specialist. Higgs will work with the public relations team to produce videos, podcasts, graphics and social media content that highlights the importance of Arkansas agriculture.
Robert Stobaugh farms rice, soybeans, wheat and corn with his brother Barry and nephew Bart on 6,000 acres in Conway County. We caught up to him as they were harvesting their first crop of row rice and asked him to share some thoughts on this year's harvest.
This week, we hear from Brittany Carwell of B&D Genetics in Cross County about the business’s major new move into the European market. We also get an update on the 2020 pecan crop from Chas Davis of Davis Pecan in Little River County and we spend a morning Hicks Family Farms near Cabot, as they work to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines in preparing their annual pumpkin patch and corn maze for visitors.
Chad Russell has been farming near Marianna since the mid-90s and grows cotton, corn and soybeans. Last year he joined other local farmers and added peanuts to his cotton rotation. For the third year in a row, persistent rainfall is slowing harvest, but as Russell says they will get the crops out and he expects good yields.
