Ryn, a new farm-to-table restaurant, is led by chef Matthew Cooper, whose rural Arkansas roots fuel his passion to create a unique on-farm dining experience in Northwest Arkansas. Ingredients from the on-site Sun Painted Farm allow chef Cooper and his team to directly connect the consumer to the farm.

On this week’s Arkansas AgCast, we cover challenges facing Mid-South farmers. We start with the Mississippi River, where current low water levels could again disrupt barge traffic, raising transportation costs, and widening basis levels that cut into farm income. Next, we look at how extreme weather last spring is impacting yields during harvest, with rice producers facing some of the steepest declines in decades. We also cover comments from USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, hinting at possible short-term relief for farmers until new safety net programs take effect. Finally, we provide the latest update on the New World screwworm, as U.S. officials confirm the first travel-related human case and expand surveillance to protect livestock.

Harvest is underway at JAM Farms, where fourth-generation farmer Jordan Maier reflects on this year’s growing season challenges and the reward of harvest.

At Good Life Farms, Grant Mason is redefining how greens are grown. Inside a 9,000 square-foot greenhouse, Mason uses vertical aeroponic towers to maximize space and sustainability while providing fresh, healthy produce to schools and families across northwest Arkansas.

Carrying on his father’s legacy, Laird High has taken the reins at The Cabot Patch, a go-to spot for local produce. From strawberries and peaches to watermelons, the farm offers an array of seasonal crops. Planning a visit for your ArFB Arkansas Farm Trail passport stamp? Before you go, check their Facebook page for the latest hours and availability.

Farmers are feeling financial stress as rice prices dropped 37% in one year. Arkansas leads the nation in production, but with changing global tariffs, challenging economic conditions and unpredictable weather, what's the state of our rice industry? Keith Glover, CEO of Producers Rice Mill in Stuttgart and chairman of USA Rice, delivered an update this week to the Rotary Club of Little Rock.

In this episode, we cover new EPA guidance aimed at preventing sudden diesel power losses that could save farmers millions and USDA’s August WASDE report with record corn projections and tight margins ahead. We also take a look at USDA reorganization proposal that would move key offices into regional hubs and how Brazil’s surging sorghum production is reshaping global markets.

What started as selling beef out of a freezer on their Faulkner County farm has grown into something bigger. The Tucker family recently opened Tucker’s Market in North Little Rock, a direct-to-consumer market featuring their farm-raised beef, fresh produce and beef tallow.

Agriculture remains the most dangerous industry in the United States, and working with livestock poses its own set of unique hazards. Whether a new or experienced producer, it’s important to be mindful of best safety practices to protect yourself, your family and your herd. For more resources on proper livestock safety and handling, visit https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/special-programs/safety-services/livestock-handling-safety.aspx.

Congressman French Hill visited White County to meet with local farmers and hear firsthand about the challenges they face. The visit began with a tour of Reaper Farms in Searcy and continued with a roundtable discussion at the White County Farm Bureau office. Producers shared key issues affecting agriculture and emphasized the support needed from the congressional delegation.