Now a featured stop on the Arkansas Farm Trail, Holland Bottom Farm in Cabot has long been a favorite destination for strawberries. What started with just 10 acres and a cotton wagon in 1982 has grown into a thriving business, complete with a storefront featuring a variety of offerings. Tim and Leslie Odom take pride in the success they’ve built and feel blessed to work alongside their children, including their daughter Haley, who has expanded the farm’s digital presence.
On this week’s Arkansas AgCast, the EPA releases new insecticide regulations aimed at protecting endangered species while giving farmers more flexibility. A destructive fungus is threatening Arkansas strawberry crops, and experts are working fast to understand it. China says it won’t rely on U.S. grain imports, raising questions about future trade. And drivers will have more fuel options this summer thanks to an E15 waiver from the EPA. You won't want to miss this episode of the state’s only weekly ag news program. Listen now:
Flooding persists along the Cache River, more than 2 weeks after heavy rains hit the area. For Kenny Clark of Grubbs, the persistence of floodwaters further darkens the outlook on this year’s crop. After 55 years of farming, he’s never seen water levels this high, and most of his acres may remain unplanted this season.
More than 800 Faulkner County children got their hands dirty learning where food comes from at the 25th annual Faulkner County Farm Round-Up in Conway. The event included 16 stations for participants to dig potatoes, milk a cow and other ag activities.
Ladies learned various farm skills at a recent three-day bootcamp in Batesville. They made fast friends while studying animal handling, biosecurity, business management, weed identification and touring Chimney Rock Cattle Co., in Concord. The Cleburne and Independence Counties Bootcamp for Cattlewomen plans to host a third-annual event in 2026.
Strawberry season lasted less than a day this spring at Salt Box Farm in Benton. A plant variety highly susceptible to new disease in Arkansas combined with heavy rains and two hailstorms led to last week’s sudden shutdown. Disappointed owner Wade Marshall now pivots to a new plan.
On this episode of the Arkansas AgCast, we cover the USDA's replacement of the Climate-Smart Commodities program, and a new requirement that at least 65% of funds from the program will directly benefit producers. We also detail the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture's estimate of $78.9 million in crop damage from recent flooding, with rice and soybeans accounting for most flooded acres.
We discuss the potential negative economic impacts on Arkansas soybean, corn and cottonseed producers from a possible ban on seed oils for human consumption.
Finally, we touch on the key updates from the April 2025 WASDE report for major row crops. Catch it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.
Peggy Miller tirelessly works as a Farm Bureau member and has for 45 years. Her work on the Chicot County Women’s Leadership Committee, dedication to serve children and efforts to represent agriculture to those that may not know where their food comes from are just part of her legacy. Watch our latest video to learn why she was named the 2024 Arkansas Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Diamond Award Recipient.
As water begins to recede in some areas of the state, eastern Arkansas continues to see flooding. Although the overall impact could have been worse, Woodruff County farmer Bo Mason still faces the task of replanting some of his soybean fields.
On this episode, we look at the latest tariff news and how that could impact agriculture. We also share how recent severe weather affects planting season in Arkansas, plus look at a new forestry initiative from USDA. Catch it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.
