Pulaski County Master Gardeners honored for volunteerism, beautification work

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — If you’ve ever visited some of central Arkansas’ historic landmarks, parks and tourist sites, you may have admired the handiwork of the Pulaski County Master Gardeners who maintain nearly three dozen beautiful garden sites throughout the county.

MG Day — Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde talks with Pulaski County Master Gardeners president Sara Jordan after proclaiming June 20, 2024, as Master Gardener Day. (Division of Agriculture photo)

One of the more visible sites is the garden at the historic 1889 Pulaski County Courthouse, where volunteers gathered Thursday to celebrate Pulaski County Master Gardeners Day. Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde read a proclamation, designating the third Thursday in June as Master Gardeners Day.

“The Master Gardeners, in a collaborative effort with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, have been dedicated to promoting sustainable gardening, environmental stewardship and providing free community education for many years,” Hyde said. "Master Gardeners are highly trained and work diligently to maintain their certification, and their efforts not only beautify Pulaski County but also foster a sense of community and promote healthy living.”

Laster year, Pulaski County Master Gardeners volunteered more than 17,000 hours, maintaining 32 projects around the county, Pulaski County Master Gardener president Sara Jordan said.

“Master Gardeners work year-round in Pulaski County and in nearly every county in the state, creating beautiful spaces for Arkansans to enjoy,” said Randy Forst, who coordinates the statewide Master Gardener program. "We are grateful to Judge Hyde for recognizing our Pulaski County Master Gardeners for their volunteer work. The third Thursday in June will be a day we look forward to for years to come.”

Master Gardeners have cared for the courthouse gardens at Broadway and Second Street in Little Rock since 2016.

“We’ve taken out some roses to make the garden more pollinator-friendly and gain designation as a Monarch Waystation,” said Master Gardener Dana Boyster, who co-chairs the project with Melody Parsley.

The gardens feature milkweed, butterfly bushes, lantana, rudbeckias, coneflowers, St. John’s Wort and many other plants friendly to monarchs and other pollinators, she said.

Aside from the courthouse garden, Master Gardeners maintain several prominent gardens in Little Rock, including at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion, the Old State House, Historic Arkansas Museum, Pinnacle Mountain, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center and the Pulaski County Juvenile Detention Center. In North Little Rock, volunteers maintain gardens along Main Street in downtown Argenta, at the Patrick H. Hays Senior Citizens Center and at the Old Mill, a favorite spot for photo shoots. They also tend gardens at the Maumelle Community Center and Jacksonville City Hall.

“Our Master Gardeners are busy, busy people,” said Derek Reed, the Pulaski County extension agent for agriculture and horticulture. “They also have two greenhouse projects – one in Little Rock and one in Jacksonville – where they grow plants for the annual plants sales.”

Last year, those plant sales raised about $15,000, which Master Gardeners use to maintain projects and create new ones.

Master Gardeners is a statewide program of the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. It started with 40 members in four counties — Garland, Jefferson, Pulaski and Saline. Today, Masters Gardener programs has more than 3,400 members volunteering in 67 of the state’s counties.

To learn about Arkansas Master Gardeners, visit www.uaex.uada.edu/Master-Gardeners or contact a local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. 

Johnson County 4-H agent named 2024 Arkansas Ag Woman of the Year

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — As an underrepresented group within agriculture, it’s important for women to connect with their industry peers. Jeanie Rowbotham, Johnson County 4-H extension agent with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, was recently named 2024 Arkansas Ag Woman of the Year by Arkansas Women in Agriculture, an organization dedicated to educating and supporting women in the field.

SUPPORTING WOMEN IN AG — Jeanie Rowbotham said receiving the Arkansas Ag Woman of the Year award from the Arkansas Women in Agriculture organization has been a rewarding experience. Rowbotham has worked as an extension 4-H agent in Johnson County for 17 years. Evette Browning, past president of AWIA, hands Jeanie her award, flanked by vice president Michelle Horton. (Photo by Lindsey Holtzclaw, AWIA.)

Rowbotham and her husband, Theron, own and operate Infinity Ranch in rural Johnson County, where Rowbotham has worked as an extension 4-H agent since 2007. They have two children, Mae and Tate, and the family manages four commercial turkey houses contracted to Butterball as well as a commercial cow and calf operation.

Rowbotham said it has been rewarding to be recognized for her work in agriculture.

“Being named Ag Woman of the Year has been an amazing experience,” Rowbotham said. “My life’s work is positive youth development and agriculture education, so it is wonderful to be recognized — but more than that, I just appreciate being able to tell the story of Arkansas farmers and ranchers. So many women in this state are just like me: raising their families alongside livestock and working on the farm, while holding down an ag job in town and being leaders in their communities. I’m honored to represent Johnson County and all the incredible work happening here.”

The Arkansas Woman in Ag Award was established by Arkansas Women in Agriculture, or AWIA, in 2023 to celebrate the contributions of women to the agriculture industry. Evette Browning, past president of AWIA, said Rowbotham was chosen among 15 other applicants by the organization’s education committee.

“This committee invites two other leaders within the ag community to provide input and fair assessment,” Browning said. “Each applicant’s criteria are considered and ranked based on their stake in agriculture, significant impacts made, advocacy and the legacy they will leave for future generations. Many of our board members were excited to learn of Jeanie’s selection for this year’s Ag Woman of the Year Award, as they have been personally impacted by Jeanie’s dedicated service to agriculture.”

Rowbotham received the award on April 2 at the 2024 AWIA Conference, held in Hot Springs. Nearly 300 women from across the state gathered for seminars, classes and networking events during the two-day conference. After receiving her award, Rowbotham said she was approached by a college student from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

“She is also involved in 4-H and wanted to come talk to me, and I think that’s why organizations like Arkansas Women in Agriculture are important, because you get to connect with like-minded women that you normally wouldn’t meet,” Rowbotham said. “Meeting women in the industry and making those connections is priceless. If you can see her, you can be her.”

4-H and farming runs in the family

Rowbotham was raised on a hobby farm outside of Harrison, Arkansas, and her husband is an eighth-generation farmer from Haggarville. Rowbotham received a master’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Arkansas and a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Arkansas Tech University. 

Rowbotham said she grew up very active in 4-H and has experienced the many benefits of the program.

“In my role as a 4-H extension agent, I provide human capital to the ag industry, and raising future ag leaders is something I take very seriously,” Rowbotham said. “I know this firsthand. I was once that 4-H member, and if it weren’t for the opportunities I was given in 4-H, I would not be the person I am today. I love providing that same experience for future generations.

“I will never lose sight of the fact that the most important thing I will ever raise on my farm is my children, but it's not exclusive to my farm — it is the same for your farm and household,” she said. “The driving force in my extension career is knowing the most important thing that my 4-H families will raise at their house is their children, too.”

Browning said Rowbotham exemplifies the values and mission of AWIA.

“Successfully juggling home life, a farm and a career is the true definition of a woman in agriculture,” Browning said.

Rowbotham said she encourages her peers to join AWIA for the guidance and support the organization offers.

“You can find mentors in the industry through professional networks, connect with women who share your passions and access opportunities to learn and grow in the industry,” she said. “You will get to meet and learn from diverse women from all around the state and build your tribe.”

To learn more about Arkansas Women in Agriculture, visit arwomeninag.org.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. 

Saline County 4-H Robotics Club partners with Easterseals Arkansas to construct assistive technology device

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas 4-H members keep their hands and minds busy with a variety of science projects, part of the youth development program’s emphasis on STEM education. One such project found Saline County 4-H SeaCow Robotics Club members putting together a Voice It© assistive technology device at Easterseals in Little Rock.

HELPING HANDS — Katie West, Saline County extension 4-H agent, and Tamara Wald, parent volunteer for the SeaCow Robotics Club, look on as Wald's sons Issac and Luke get started with the video instruction portion of the Voice It© assembly. (Division of Agriculture photo.) 

Clad in their signature black and white checkerboard pants, SeaCow Robotics Club members Kyri Collins, Abby Wald, Issac Wald, Luke Wald and Sarah Wald, 4-H parent Brandon Collins, and coaches Mike Katsen, Stacy Statler and Tamara Wald gathered with Easterseals Arkansas staff to construct the device on April 5.

“Through our partnership with the SeaCow Robotics Club, we hope to shed light on an exciting opportunity for Arkansas school districts to collaborate with their Robotics, East, or STEM programs in order to assemble assistive technology devices,” said Katelynn Estes, doctor of occupational therapy and assistive technology specialist for Easterseals Arkansas Outreach Program and Technology Services. “This provides educational benefits for both the students receiving the device and for the students assembling the device.”

Estes said the Voice It© device reads RFID, or radio frequency identification, tags. These tags can be placed within everyday objects, tactile symbols, picture cards and more. When the Voice It© scans the tag, it speaks a word or phrase out loud using a prerecorded voice.

“For example, if a user has a tactile symbol representing the word ‘more’ with an RFID card installed, they can use the Voice It© in combination with the tactile symbol to speak the word ‘more,’” Estes said. “The Voice It© can also help individuals with low vision identify common objects around their home, school or work environment, such as medicine bottles.”

Tamara Wald, an occupational therapist and parent volunteer, said she was inspired to get involved after attending a course at Easterseals about helping children with multiple disabilities access assistive technology.

“I thought, ‘Why can’t our robotics club help them produce this assistive technology to get it in the hands of more children?’” Tamara said. “They told us there’s not enough of this technology to go around, especially when it comes to some of the 3-D printed items. We’re learning about 3-D printing as a club, so why not try to partner together? What more practical need is there than helping children?”

Some assembly required

Estes said that the assembled Voice It© device, made by the company VolkSwitch, is not available for purchase. However, the device’s design is available for free under a Creative Commons License. Estes said she 3-D printed many parts for the device, including the casing, which helped save on cost, as did the 4-H members’ assembly.

To assemble the device, 4-H members worked on its electrical circuitry, wired it for audio output, installed its battery, configured the device’s software and more.

“The student volunteers also installed feet on the device, verified it was working as expected and ‘wrote’ RFID tags for our Project Core Symbols,” Estes said.

The Project Core Symbols are a set of 3-D, tactile symbols that represent the 36 words in the Universal Core vocabulary, created by The Center for Literacy and Disability Studies and also licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Estes said that thanks to the collaboration between the SeaCow Robotics Club and Easterseals Outreach Program and Technology Services, the Voice It© device will be available for public school districts in Arkansas to checkout, giving students an opportunity to try out the device before schools invest in purchasing one.  

“Through Outreach, we are able to assist public schools and coach teams through a process where they identify features of technology that a particular student requires,” Estes said. “We point them towards specific devices that match the student’s needs, and then the schools may borrow the device in order to ensure data supports the use of the assistive technology. Eventually, they will need to acquire the technology permanently for that student if the trial is successful.”

‘Something for everyone’ in 4-H

Katie West, Saline County extension 4-H agent, said community service projects like this partnership with Easterseals are an important part of 4-H programming.

“Community service brings the children in and makes them feel like a part of that community,” West said. “This helps them become the citizens we need them to be later on, and they’re more likely to lead and figure out what problems they want to address when they’re older.”

Science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — education is one of the three mission mandates that all Arkansas 4-H project work falls within, West said.

“We have natural resources, wildlife, forestry, electronics — there’s a wide range of programs and activities that children can do,” she said. “This group does robotics, so they’re actually learning technology and coding as well as engineering and how to get things to work.”

Wald said her children have enjoyed the variety of activities and opportunities available in their local 4-H club.

“We are interested in so many things in my family,” Wald said. “Not only does my family participate in the robotics program, but we are also part of a 4-H science club in Bryant, which is led by our wonderful teacher Kristin Higgins, who works in the state extension office. I think 4-H has really opened doors for my children and broadened their horizons to different topics.”  

In just one day, West said her 4-H members were involved in three different competitions: the SeaPerch Challenge, which is an underwater robotics competition, a shooting sports competition, and the 4-H Ross Photography Contest.

“All of these were very different, and so are the children who were interested in these competitions,” West said. “Because of that variety, as they grow, they’re able to figure out what might be their best subject. They can get a lot of scholarships and learn new things as they go.

“They won’t start off knowing exactly what they want to be when they grow up, but with 4-H, they can try everything out, see what works and what doesn’t, and know more about what they are good at by the time they’re an adult,” West said.

Mention of product names does not imply endorsement by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

For more information about Arkansas 4-H, visit 4h.uada.edu or contact your county 4-H agent at uaex.uada.edu/counties/.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. 

River Valley Beef Cattle Conference to explore state of hay availability, cattle genetics and more

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

OZARK, Ark. — Researchers and extension agents with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be bringing the latest in cattle production knowledge to interested attendees at the Feb. 20 River Valley Beef Cattle Conference in Ozark. 

ADDRESSING CONCERNS — With cattle markets soaring throughout 2023 and regional drought conditions affecting the availability and quality of hay and other forages, attendees at the Feb. 20 River Valley Beef Cattle Conference in Ozark can expect the conference to address topics key to success in 2024. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

With cattle markets soaring throughout 2023 and regional drought conditions affecting the availability and quality of hay and other forages, attendees can expect the conference to address topics key to success in 2024.

“I think producers are mostly worried about hay and forage shortages,” said Bob Harper, staff chair for the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service. “They are also worried about high fertilizer and input costs in the coming year. I think most of them would like to try and up inputs this spring and summer in order to try and get back ahead of their hay situation, but they are concerned that high fertilizer prices may prevent that from happening.

In-person registration for the conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the conference will. conclude at 12:15 p.m. with lunch. The cost is $20, payable at the door.

Presenters will include Jesse Taylor, staff chair for the Johnson County Cooperative Extension Service; Kevin Van Pelt, extension agriculture agent for the Conway County Cooperative Extension Service; Maggie Justice, extension beef cattle specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture; Jeremy Powell, professor of animal science for the Division of Agriculture; and Ryan Loy, extension agricultural economist for the Division of Agriculture.

Taylor and Van Pelt will discuss the 2023 hay verification report, which will include the latest findings in verification trials. Justice will discuss understanding expected progeny differences, or EPDs, and genetic tests for cattle breeding. Loy will discuss the input price outlook for 2024.

The conference agenda includes:

• Registration Introductions & Welcome

• Welcome from Farm Credit Services

• Hay Verification report – Jesse Taylor & Kevin Van Pelt

• Understanding and using EPD’s & Genetic tests – Dr. Maggie Justice

• Break

• Input Price Outlook – Dr. Ryan Loy

• Veterinary/Producers relationship requirements – Dr. Jeremy Powell

• Live cattle assessment & valuation – Shawn Gattis

• Lunch

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

Extension hosts meeting for Southwest Arkansas watermelon growers

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

HOPE, Ark. — Specialists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will discuss topics geared toward small-acreage watermelon producers at a growers meeting from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Hempstead County Extension Office, 1800 E. Third St. in Hope.  

WATERMELONS — The Hempstead County Extension Office in Hope, Arkansas, will host a Watermelon Growers meeting on Feb. 20. (Division of Agriculture graphic) 

“This meeting will benefit current producers as well as those interested in getting started with watermelons,” said Kim Rowe, Hempstead County extension agricultural agent.

Topics and speakers include:

• Planting and Production — Amanda McWhirt, extension commercial horticulture specialist

• Disease and Insect Management — Aaron Cato, extension horticulture integrated pest management specialist

• Weed Control — Hannah Wright Smith, extension horticulture weed specialist

• Nuisance Wildlife Control —Becky McPeake, extension wildlife specialist

Arkansas ranks 14th nationally for production of watermelons with 1,822 acres of watermelons harvested annually, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture. The melons can be grown in all parts of Arkansas, but the City of Hope in Hempstead County claims to be home of the world’s largest watermelons and celebrates the summertime treat annually with the Hope Watermelon Festival.

Attendees will have opportunities for a question-and-answer with specialists and networking with other producers. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required.  

To register, call the Hempstead County Extension office at (870) 777-5771 or email Kim Rowe at krowe@uada.edu.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. 

Southern root-knot nematode in soybean: Risks and control options

By Sarah Cato
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LONOKE, Ark. – Although most crop pests attack from above ground, some of the most damaging threats – nematodes – lurk beneath the soil.

ATTACKING FROM BELOW — Southern root-knot nematodes damage plants by invading the root system and developing specialized feeding sites that rob plants of nutrients and water. As a result of this infection, they cause knot-like swellings, or galls, to form on infected plants. ( U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Travis Faske)

Nematodes are microscopic, unsegmented roundworms. Some nematodes infect plants and are called plant-parasitic or -pathogenic. The southern root-knot nematode, scientific name Meloidogyne incognita, is the most damaging – and most common – nematode species in Arkansas soybeans.

Southern root-knot nematodes damage plants by invading the root system and developing specialized feeding sites that rob plants of nutrients and water. As a result of this infection, they cause knot-like swellings, or galls, to form on infected plants. Galls become a part of the root, whereas nodules are attached to the root system.

“The southern root-knot nematode is the most yield-limiting, plant-pathogenic nematode that affects soybean production in the Mid-South,” said Travis Faske, extension plant pathologist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “It’s found in nearly all soybean producing counties in Arkansas and can cause significant grain yield losses when a susceptible variety is planted in a field with a high population density of root-knot nematodes.”

But how can growers control them? It starts with knowing your fields, Faske said.

“The foundation of any nematode control program is the identification of the types of nematodes present and an estimation of their relative population density,” he said. “The most effective way to do this is through soil samples assayed by a nematology laboratory.”

The Division of Agriculture runs the Arkansas Nematode Diagnostic Laboratory near Hope, which offers soil nematode assay for a small fee to any Arkansas producer. With the information from soil samples, producers can make site-specific management decisions to prevent widespread damage. This Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board is working in partnership with the Division of Agriculture to provide these assays to soybean producers for free. Those interested can contact their local county agent.

Crop rotation and resistant varieties

“Crop rotation can be a very useful nematode management strategy,” Faske said. “But it’s important we match the cropping sequence to the nematode species we’re dealing with.”

For southern root-knot nematode specifically, Faske said planting peanuts or sesames can effectively lower the nematode density but corn, grain sorghum, cotton and vegetable crops will likely make the situation worse. Rice is a host, but growing rice in a flooded field for two months will significantly reduce nematode densities in the soil.

In addition to crop rotation, resistant soybean varieties are another tool for producers to manage root-knot nematode populations.

“Resistant varieties offer an advantage to producers struggling with nematode populations by reducing galling and increasing grain yield,” Faske said.

Screening varieties

Each year, Faske and his team run trials assessing the commercially available soybean varieties that are marketed as suitable for production in fields where southern root-knot nematodes are present.

“This year we tested 44 varieties that are marketed to growers for root-knot nematode-infested fields,” Faske said. “We tested these varieties in a field with a high population density of southern root-knot nematode, a density that would be considered severe for soybean production in Arkansas. This puts the most stress on the soybean to perform under the most stressful conditions.”

The trials test the susceptibility of each variety to southern root-knot nematode as well as yield performance.

“This really is one of the most important trials we do each year in our program,” Faske said. “There are no other programs that I’m aware of that provide susceptibility and yield data of commercially available soybean varieties for Mid-South farmers.”  

Ensuring that varieties marketed as suitable for root-knot nematode fields actually are resistant, and testing their yield performance provides growers with valuable, science-based information when making planting decisions, Faske said.

“Some of these varieties are marketed as being suitable for production in a southern root-knot nematode field. They are not,” he said. “This research provides an unbiased assessment of soybean varieties marketed as ‘moderately resistant’ or ‘other’ in a comparison trial. If your favorite brand is not in this test it is because there is no resistance to southern root-knot nematode in their portfolio or they did not send us seed to test.”

The results of this trial are available on the Division of Agriculture plant disease website and the Arkansas Row Crops blog. Funding for the trials is provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

HOLIDAYS: When it comes to Black Friday shopping, plan ahead to get the best deals

LITTLE ROCK — Black Friday is right around the corner, but many retailers are already offering “early” or “pre” Black Friday deals leading up to what is considered the busiest shopping day of the year.

SHOPPING SMART — Division of Agriculture experts weigh in on the best ways to save money and shop smart this holiday season. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)

Online retailers joined in by offering deals on Black Friday and on the following Monday, Cyber Monday. Some stores even began advertising special holiday prices well before Halloween. According to the National Retail Federation, 31 percent of consumers planned to start their holiday shopping before October; 39 percent start in November, and 9 percent will wait until December to begin shopping.

Consumers who shop the post-Thanksgiving sales can still take advantage of special offers earlier in the month. Laura Hendrix, an Accredited Financial Counselor and an associate professor of personal finance and family resource management with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, offers these tips to make the most of your money during this year’s holiday season:

• Decide if it’s really a bargain. You must know the original price to understand if the advertised sale price is a real discount. Make sure it’s a quality product and not just a cheaper product at a cheaper price. Is it something you really want or need? If not, it’s a waste of money no matter what the price.

• Avoid impulse buys. Advertised sale items are designed to get buyers in the door or on the website. Store displays and pop-up ads are designed to prompt impulse buys, so stick to what’s already on your list.

• Plan ahead. Make a list of the items you need and set a spending limit. Prepare in advance by checking ads, looking for coupons, comparing prices and loading store apps on your phone. Look for ways to combine discounts, such as a sale item plus coupons.

• Read the details. Pay close attention to sale items advertised as “door busters, “while supplies last” or “limited supplies.” Some stores don’t offer rainchecks or price matching on Black Friday. Price matching – also called a price match guarantee — refers to a store matching a lower price offered on the same product from another store. Price match if you can, but keep in mind that some stores do not offer price matching on Black Friday.

• Pace yourself. Know when stores open and where and when the best prices are available. Some stores open on Thanksgiving evening, some at midnight, and others might offer “early bird” specials. If an important item is labeled “while supplies last,” you may want to go to that store first and be in line early. Save some room in your holiday budget for future purchases. Remember, there are still bargains to be had throughout the holiday season.

Shopping securely

“When shopping online, make sure you buy from a reputable retailer with a secure payment system,” Hendrix said. “Look at return and replacement policies. Check shipping costs. The company may offer free shipping. If not, consider if the item is still a bargain after shopping costs are added. Log out of accounts and close browsers after completing financial transactions.”

For more money tips, visit the Extension Money Blog .

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: aaes.uada.edu. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

Extension launches new poultry podcast

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has a new monthly podcast that will be of interest to commercial poultry producers and industry professionals in Arkansas.

UNPLUCKED: The first episode of The Fowl Frontier: Poultry Science Unplucked focuses on biosecurity in light of a recent case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) confirmed in Arkansas. (Division of Agriculture art.) 

“The Fowl Frontier: Poultry Science Unplucked” launched Nov. 8 and is available to listeners free of charge on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or the the Division of Agriculture website at  uaex.uada.edu/fowl-frontier.

Podcast host Zac Williams, poultry science extension specialist for the Division of Agriculture, said the podcast will address issues relevant to poultry producers and professionals who work in allied industries.

The first episode — “Biosecurity and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza” — features guest Dustan Clark, extension poultry veterinarian for the Division of Agriculture and associate director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science at the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas. With the recent confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Arkansas, these episodes will provide timely information for poultry producers looking to keep their flocks protected.

“While this episode is mainly aimed at small and backyard flock owners, much of the information will be relevant to commercial producers too,” Williams said. 

Poultry is big business

More than 6,500 farms in Arkansas produce some type of poultry. Northwest Arkansas, particularly Washington and Benton counties, produces the most poultry in the state.

Poultry is the leading agricultural industry in Arkansas, which ranks third nationally for broiler production and fourth for turkey production. The poultry industry provides 157,639 jobs and $5.1 billion (50%) of the total agriculture cash receipts in 2021, according to The Poultry Federation.

Easy Listening

Williams joined the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and Poultry Science Department as an assistant professor in June. In his role, he provides poultry education and outreach through the Cooperative Extension Service, with a focus on connecting with the commercial poultry industry.

Williams, who hosted a similar podcast at the University of Michigan, said podcasts offer a convenient format for farmers and commercial producers to get information relevant to their operations.

“It’s a direct way for us to deliver research-based information to our producers,” William said. “A lot of farmers will listen while they’re on the tractor or driving. They can subscribe and get notifications when there are new episodes.”

Williams also likes the interview-style format and plans to feature guests from the Division of Agriculture and from the poultry and allied industries.

“With this format, I can bring in guests from all over the U.S. or the world to provide knowledge,” he said.

Listeners can also request topics they want to hear about by contacting Williams.

Future outreach

The new podcast is one way Williams hopes to connect with the state’s poultry producers. Workshops and a three-day Broiler Academy are also planned.

Specialized workshops for commercial growers, integrators and employees in allied industries will be offered at the Savoy Farm in Fayetteville. Williams said the workshops will be customized to fit attendees’ needs. To schedule a workshop, contact Williams at 601-527-2871 or zwilliams@uada.edu.

The Broiler Academy is planned for June 3-5, 2024, at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences in Fayetteville.

“This will be a Broiler Production 101 type workshop where we’ll provide an overview of broiler production management for anyone who wants to learn more about broiler management,” Williams said. “It will be good for new employees or people who have experience in one area but want to learn more about the industry,” he said.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: aaes.uada.edu. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

HALLOWEEN: Keep your jack-o’-lantern looking young through Halloween

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

HARRISBURG, Ark. — A little bit of olive oil can help your jack-o’-lantern keep its youthful countenance through Halloween, says Craig Allen, Poinsett County extension staff chair.

Allen says keeping a Halloween pumpkin looking its best begins with the selection.

Five artfully carved pumpkins adorn the front steps. Getting the longest life out of your jack-o'-lantern begins with selection. (Image by Julie Thompson, credit mandatory)

“Make sure the pumpkin is free from soft spots, cuts, bruises or punctures and that the flesh is hard,” he said. “Make sure that about 3 inches of stem is still attached.”

The hard flesh of a dry pumpkin makes it less likely to rot. Carving will open the way to collapse and decomposition. 

“Depending on the weather conditions, your jack-o’-lantern may last from a day to a week,” he said. “You can slow the dehydration process by coating all the cut parts with olive or other vegetable oil — including the inside.

“This acts as a barrier to dehydration, which causes the pumpkin to collapse,” Allen said. “Storing the jack-o’-lantern in the shade can help slow decomposition.”

Once the jack-o’-lantern has served its purpose, it can go into the compost pile.

Cooking pumpkins

Pumpkins are also good eats; however, “it is not recommended that you eat the jack-o’-lantern style pumpkins,” said Baxter County Extension Agent LeeAnn Blevins.

“You can roast the seeds, but once you’ve cut a face on the pumpkin and allowed them to sit outside, they are no longer ready to eat,” she said.

Pumpkins pack a good nutrition punch too. One-half cup of canned pumpkin provides 4 grams of fiber, no fat or cholesterol and has only 50 calories, Blevins said.

If you want to work with a fresh pumpkin, she said, there are a couple of ways to make the flesh usable. The first is peeling the pumpkin, cutting the flesh into chunks and steaming them. Once steamed, the chunks can be pureed and used in a variety of recipes.

“An alternative is to bake the unpeeled, seeded pumpkin halves in a 325-degree oven for about one hour or until tender,” she said. “Scoop out the flesh and then puree. Use the pumpkin puree for your favorite recipes immediately, or you may freeze it for up to one year in a freezer-safe container.”

Contact your county extension office for more information.

Learn more about pumpkins.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

Roofe named head of Family and Consumer Sciences for extension

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Helping people live better has been at the heart of Nina Roofe’s career – as a longtime registered dietitian, as a professor and chair of the Department of Nutrition and Family Sciences at the University of Central Arkansas, and now in her new leadership role as assistant vice president of Family and Consumer Sciences for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

LEADER — Nina Roofe is the new assistant vice president for Family and Consumer Sciences at the Cooperative Extension Service. (UADA photo)

Roofe started Sept. 25 and will ensure research-based programming is available to meet the needs of Arkansans in the areas of food and nutrition, food safety and preservation, health and exercise, personal finance, home safety, early childhood and mental health.

“Family and Consumer Sciences has always appealed to me because it takes a holistic approach — meeting people where they are, where they live, where they work. It’s practical. It’s all about helping people and helping them improve their lives,” she said.

“You can design a nutritiously balanced plate of food and teach someone how to cook, but if they can’t afford to buy the food or if they live somewhere without a kitchen, it doesn’t work. You can’t just do health and wellness, or nutrition, or home safety, or consumer economics,” she said. “It’s all intertwined with family life, so you have to look at the whole picture.”

The Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service employs Family and Consumer Science agents in every county of the state. Roofe plans to visit agents in the coming months to assess needs that exist throughout the state and ensure that extension is offering the best programs to meet those needs with resources available.

“Dr. Roofe has more than 32 years of experience and brings a wealth of knowledge to the position,” said Bob Scott, senior associate vice president for agriculture-extension and director of the Cooperative Extension Service. “I am excited for her to join our team.”

Family and Consumer Sciences is one of four extension units. Other units include Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H, and Community Professional and Economic Development. Roofe’s position is a newly restructured one. Before Roofe’s hire, one person oversaw both Family and Consumer Sciences and Arkansas 4-H.

“It needed to be two positions because they are two separate units,” Scott said.

A career bucket list

Working for extension has been on Roofe’s “career bucket list.”

She grew up in Izard County on a beef cattle farm and was involved in 4-H, the youth leadership program of the Division of Agriculture. Her great aunt was a home economist in Izard County, and her great uncle ran the Soil Conservation Service. Her husband’s stepfather was also an extension agent.

“I feel like I’ve always had the extension gene,” she said.

Before joining the Division of Agriculture, Roofe was a professor and chair of the Department of Nutrition and Family Sciences in the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences at UCA, where she has taught since 2002.

“I love teaching,” Roofe said. “I swore I’d never be a teacher because my parents were both public school teachers, and I saw their struggles, but I love it. You’re reaching students, and they touch lives. It’s a ripple effect.”

Roofe has a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Central Arkansas; a Master of Science in Corporate Health Promotion from the University of Arkansas; and Ph.D in Family and Consumer Sciences Education from Iowa State University.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Extension plans soil health workshops for specialty crop growers

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Specialists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will lead a four-part workshop series in Northwest Arkansas to help fruit and vegetable growers understand soil health on their farms and how to improve it.  

HEALTHY SOIL, HEALTHY VEGETABLES — Specialists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will lead a four-part workshop series in Northwest Arkansas to help fruit and vegetable growers understand soil health on their farms and how to improve it. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

“Healthy soils help promote efficient specialty crop production,” Amanda McWhirt, extension horticulture production specialist with the Division of Agriculture, said. “Growers increasingly need tools to understand the status of soil health and manage it to increase the productivity and profitability of their crops.”

The series is part of the Northwest Arkansas Specialty Crop Soil Health Program led by McWhirt and Matt Bertucci, assistant professor of sustainable fruit and vegetable production for the Division of Agriculture. They have conducted soil health assessments of the area and are working to educate and train growers on implementing specific management practices that improve on-farm soil health. The program targets specialty crop growers in Benton, Washington, Carroll and Madison counties, who produce a range of fruit and vegetable crops for local markets. However, the workshops are open to all Arkansas growers. 

Workshops will take place at the Division of Agriculture’s Food Science Building, 2650 N. Young Ave., Fayetteville. The cost is $10 per workshop. Register at bit.ly/nwa-soil-trainings.

Presenters will cover soil fertility, pollinator habitats, irrigation and pest management. The workshops will mostly be outdoors, where participants can see demonstrations of soil health best practices. 

Schedule

• March 14 — Soil health basics, winter cover crops, soil sampling and conservation funding, 1-4 p.m.

• May 2 — Managing soil fertility, cover crop termination and soil pest management, 3-6 p.m.

• June 27 — Summer cover crop selection, pollinator habitats, irrigation management and water conservation, 3-6 p.m.

• 17 — Crop rotations, soil biology, riparian buffers and intercropping,1-4 p.m. 

Bertucci and McWhirt will lead workshops along with Ryan Neal, Benton County agriculture extension agent; Colin Massey, Washington County agriculture extension agent; Jonathan McArthur, farm manager for the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food; and other guest speakers. Mike Whitis with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service will discuss conservation funding opportunities at the March 14 workshop. 

Participants will have a chance to win door prizes, including books, soil knives, cover crop seeds and more. 

The fact sheet “FSA2202: Understanding Soil Health” is available online at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/FSA2202.pdf.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Longtime extension agent appointed consumer horticulture educator, Arkansas Master Gardener coordinator

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service has a new consumer horticulture educator who will lead statewide outreach and coordinate Master Gardener programs.

NEW TO THE BEAT — Randy Forst, who has served as a county extension agent for 13 years, has been hired as the consumer horticulture educator for extension, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. In his new role, Forst will provide leadership for statewide horticulture programs and coordinate the Arkansas Master Gardeners program, the state’s largest horticulture volunteer and education organization. Forst began the new position Oct. 3. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

Randy Forst, who has served as a county extension agent for 13 years, has been hired as the consumer horticulture educator for extension, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. In his new role, Forst will provide leadership for statewide horticulture programs and coordinate the Arkansas Master Gardeners program, the state’s largest horticulture volunteer and education organization. Forst began the new position Oct. 3.

“Randy is the perfect person to lead our consumer horticulture program and Master Gardener program,” Dr. Bob Scott, director of the Cooperative Extension Service, said. “He has worked in the Delta, Ouachita and Ozark districts and is an expert when it comes to Arkansas horticulture. He will be an asset to our agents as well as to the hundreds of Master Gardeners we have volunteering across the state.”

Started in 1988 in four counties (Garland, Jefferson, Pulaski, and Saline) and with 40 members, the Arkansas Master Gardeners program now has more than 3,400 volunteers working in 67 of the state’s counties. Volunteers maintain hundreds of gardens and landscaping projects across Arkansas. Last year, they donated 128,994 service hours and provided 73,555 education hours.

Forst will support county extension agents across then state in managing all aspects of the Master Gardeners volunteer program, including policies and procedures, recruitment, training and management.

Forst has previous served as an agent and horticulture expert in St. Francis, Carroll and Pulaski counties. He most recently served as the staff chair for the Pulaski County extension office, where he worked with 560 Master Gardener volunteers.

“I just love it. The Master Gardener program is a great resource for Arkansas, and our volunteers do an exceptional job of educating others in their counties about horticulture,” Forst said. “It’s amazing the different projects we have across the state.”

Forst has a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Design and Urban Horticulture and a Master of Science in General Agriculture, both from the University of Arkansas. Before joining extension, he was a landscape architect in Tennessee.

For more information about the Master Gardener program in Arkansas, visit www.uaex.uada.edu/master-gardeners. To learn more about horticulture and other extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @AR_Extension.

Soil Sampling at the County Extension Service

This is the time of year that the Extension Service receives lots of soil samples. Here are the soil sampling instructions to follow:

SOIL SAMPLING INSTRUCTIONS

We need a FULL pint of soil which equals to a sandwich size Ziploc bag filled COMPLETELY FULL.

The soil needs to be completely dry. The soil will not dry completely in plastic bags. You can spread it out thin on a newspaper in your house for a day or two and it should be dry enough.

Take several samples from the area and mix them together to get the pint of soil.

Recommended depth for samples:

4 inches for forages, lawns, and pastures

6 inches for small fruits and gardens

12 inches for trees

Please do not include any rocks, grass, or sticks in the sample.

There is no charge for the analysis. The taxes on your fertilize in Arkansas pays for it.

If you have any questions about soil sampling, you may call Dana at the Extension office at (870) 584-3013.

My email address has changed to dstringfellow@uada.edu

Notice from the Sevier County Extension Office

Due to COVID-19, the Sevier County Extension Office will be closed until October 26. We will reopen on Tuesday, October 27. The Extension staff will all be working remotely and you may contact them via email at the following addresses:

Dana Stringfellow, Administrative Specialist III: dstringfellow@uaex.edu

Rex Herring, County Extension Agent-Agriculture-Staff Chair: rherring@uaex.edu

Janet Cantrell, County Extension Agent-Family & Consumer Sciences: jcantrell@uaex.edu

Kim Frachiseur, 4-H Program Assistant: kfrachiseur@uaex.edu

The Arkansas Ballot Issues voter guides can be picked up in the Adams Building in the foyer or they can be found online at www.uaex.edu/ballot.

Arkansas State Ballot Issues | Unbiased voter education for Arkansas ballot issues

Arkansas is one of 15 states where residents can propose an amendment to the state constitution or refer a state law to voters. Legislators also have the authority to refer up to three amendments to voters. On this page you will find information about these legislative and citizen-initiated ballot measures.

Download the 2020 Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide

UPDATE - Our 2020 Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide is ready for download!

Go to uaex.edu/ballot to download your copy!

Share the guide with your friends and family.

Let them know it’s a neutral, research-based resource to help them figure out their votes on the proposed constitutional amendments and state laws.

This full-color PDF explores all the ballot issues voters will decide Nov. 3. We have included proposals that are currently in court due to the timing of our publication being printed. This digital version will be updated after court rulings.

What will you find in Extension's ballot voter guide?

A worksheet you can print off and write notes on to help you remember later how you want to vote on the issues.

How the proposal will appear on the ballot

Answers to some basic questions about each issue

Reasons why people may support or oppose the proposal

Did you know? These fact sheets go through a vetting process that includes reviews by law school professors, subject matter experts and issue supporters and opponents.

*Printed versions will be ready in early October at your local County Extension Office.