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. 

Hempstead Extension celebrates new home in Hope

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

HOPE, Ark. — The Hempstead County Cooperative Extension Service has moved to a new site that offers a more modern space where Hempstead County residents can access resources and services related to agriculture, 4-H, family and consumer sciences and community and economic development. 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC — Officials with Hempstead County Extension, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Chamber of Commerce and local officials celebrate Hempstead County Extension's new home at 1800 E. Third St, in Hope on Nov. 16, 2023. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

In November, the Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce County, Hempstead County Judge Jerry Crane, Hope City Council Director Mark Ross, extension staff and community residents gathered for a ribbon cutting and tour of the new site at 1800 E. Third St. 

Extension personnel previously worked in the basement of the Hempstead County courthouse. When the county relocated courthouse operations in 2022 to a former bank building, there wasn’t enough room for Cooperative Extension Service staff. The county later purchased a building from Arkansas Farm Bureau to house extension personnel. The staff moved operations to the new site on June 12. 

“It has been a long process as we made this transition, but we are all excited to be here and have space to offer our programs,” Hempstead County Extension Staff Chair Terrie James said.

“We are able to have pesticide applicator trainings here and host meetings for our 4-H clubs, Extension Homemakers Council and Master Gardeners.” Hempstead County has four 4-H clubs and five EHC groups, she said. 

“We talk about changes from where we were to where we are going,” said Victor L. Ford, associate vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “The extension service is always changing. We get basic research and work on the applied research to get information to the people. This new location is going to facilitate that mission not only for agricultural producers but also to families and our children. This is a monumental day, and I look forward to the good things that will happen here.” 

The new site offers some perks from the courthouse basement location — including WiFi, street-level access and a parking lot just for extension visitors, for starters. Inside, staff have private office space instead of cubicles, access to a reception area, classroom, kitchen and meeting and storage space.

The Hempstead County Extension staff includes two administrative assistants and three agents who specialize in agriculture, family and consumer sciences and 4-H. There’s also a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program office on site. 

The Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has offices in every county in Arkansas, but facilities vary from county to county.

“We appreciate the support from the County Judge Jerry Crane and the Quorum Court for relocating us to a new facility,” said Carla Due, director of extension’s Ouachita District, which includes Hempstead County. “We’re grateful for the ongoing support for county extension programs there that allow staff to continue serving the clientele of Hempstead County.”

To learn about Hempstead County Extension programs and services, visit https://www.uaex.uada.edu/counties/hempstead/. 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.

Corps Seeks Volunteers for Cleanup at Millwood Lake

ASHDOWN, AR – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Millwood Lake has accepted the #LETSGOCLEAN challenge, and we need your help. We are looking for volunteers and groups to participate in the 2022 Great American Cleanup on Millwood Lake. The event is set to take place Saturday May 14th at 9:00 a.m. at the Millwood Overlook. Bags and supplies will be provided. Participants are asked to wear proper clothing including close toed shoes and bring water. Help us Keep America Beautiful by volunteering in your community!

Who: USACE Millwood Lake and Millwood Lake State Park. 

What: Roadside and shoreline cleanup event “Keep America Beautiful” 

When: Saturday May 14 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Where: Millwood Overlook. (Staging, Briefing) 

            Clean-up to occur in both Hempstead and Little River counties. 

Why: Protect our natural resources by removing litter and debris from our waterways and roadsides.

Brandon Wofford

Natural Resource Specialist

Millwood Tri-Lakes                        

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District

501-324-6987

Sweat Family of McCaskill Named Arkansas Farm Family of the Year

Chris and Denise Sweat of McCaskill (Hempstead County) are the 2020 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The honor was announced last week during a virtual event honoring the county and district Farm Families of the Year.

The Sweats have two daughters,17-year-old Sara and 13-year-old Anna. Their 505-acre farm consists of natural mixed timber, along with hay, cattle, registered seedstock, hair sheep and Californian and Jersey Wooly rabbits.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/12/sweat-family-of-mccaskill-named-arkansas-farm-family-of-the-year