Follow Lexi Grace Bearden at the Arkansas State Fair as she prepares Flower, her Hampshire market lamb. Showing animals takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and Lexi Grace is tackling it head-on, earning third place in her junior class.
It’s that time of year again! ArFB visited the Arkansas State Fair to explore this year’s wild and wonderful foods. Economist John McMinn agreed to sit at the fair’s most exclusive, fine-dining spot, served by a familiar face. Check out all the over-the-top eats and show animals Oct. 10-19 at the Arkansas State Fair.
On this episode of the Arkansas AgCast, timber landowners across the South face new hurdles as buyers tighten contract terms to comply with Europe’s deforestation rules. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Labor has finalized sweeping changes to the H-2A farmworker wage system, a move that could lower labor costs for farmers.
We also take a closer look at the specialty crop industry, where rising input costs, labor shortages, and limited safety nets are putting farmers under mounting financial strain. And finally, signs of new federal aid for farmers emerge as the U.S. administration considers billions to offset trade losses with China.
Livestock showing at the Arkansas State Fair is underway, and for 5-year-old Braden Emitt of Huntsville, it’s all about the animals. Follow along as he prepares and shows his Southdown sheep, Daisy Mae, which proudly took home third and fourth place in their respective divisions!
The Arkansas Youth Expo annually provides a premier event for FFA and 4-H students to exhibit their projects in Fayetteville. The Griffin family from Batesville explains why it makes a four-hour haul to compete with its purebred Shorthorn cattle.
An expo for private landowners last week in Benton highlighted ways Arkansans can improve their property values. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has invested more than $1 million in partnerships and sends biologists to evaluate property needs and connect owners with available assistance. More than 90% of the state's land is privately owned and can benefit from the program, said AGFC biologist Harvey “Bubba” Groves.
Throughout the year, the Arkansas Farm Trail has connected customers with local farms across the state, and it has been a hit! Now, heading into its second season, we’re expanding and want YOUR farm on the map. Join the passport program that consumers and local foods. Applications close Oct. 17. Details at arfarmtrail.com.
An invasive plant hopper is damaging rice farms in southwest Arkansas. Miller County rice farmer, Russell Heigl, explains how rice delphacid is hurting his crop and impacting harvest.
A contingent of Californians visited Arkansas last week, making stops at ag companies, research centers and touring farms before seeing McClendon, Mann and Felton Gin Co., in Marianna. The visit was sponsored by California Farm Bureau to help its emerging leaders see similarities and differences of agriculture in the Natural State.
The Arkansas House Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Subcommittee met recently in Stuttgart to hear about challenges facing farmers across the state. Arkansas County farmer Sidney Robnett shared widespread concerns about the farm economy and the need for support moving forward.
