Trailblazer, former Arkansas extension director Ivory Lyles dies at 65

By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Ivory Lyles, who became the first African-American to head an extension service in a predominately white university system when he was appointed director of the Cooperative Extension Service in Arkansas, has died. He was 65.

TRAILBLAZER — Ivory Lyles served as Arkansas' Cooperative Extension Service director from 2000 until 2009.

A native of Mississippi, Lyles obtained a master of science in agriculture education from Mississippi State University and a Ph.D. in agriculture education from The Ohio State University.

“Ivory Lyles was a trailblazer who opened a lot of doors,” said Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture for the University of Arkansas System, and head of the Division of Agriculture, which is home to the Cooperative Extension Service. Fields is the first African-American to become head of the Division of Agriculture.  “As I saw him at various Land-Grant meetings, I appreciated hearing about his experiences.”

A funeral for Lyles is set for Saturday at the Holifield Funeral Home, 962 E. 4th Street, Forest, Mississippi. A celebration of life service is planned for Sunday at the Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 341 Ephesus Road, also in Forest.

“Dr. Lyles devoted his career serving agriculture as an educator and administrator within the Land-Grant system,” said Ron Rainey, assistant vice president for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “He served in four states as a visionary leader committed to serving agriculture and rural communities.”

John Anderson, current director of Arkansas’ Cooperative Extension Service, said, “Dr. Lyles enjoyed a relatively long tenure as extension director in Arkansas and his impact is still felt throughout the system.  

“Many of the county agents, extension specialists, and administrators currently in senior positions in the organization were hired during Dr. Lyles’ time and are part of the outstanding cohort of extension professionals who have shaped extension’s work today,” Anderson said.

Before coming to Arkansas, Lyles was a district supervisor for the University of Tennessee and Cooperative Extension Program administrator for Tennessee State University.

Lyles also served as director of the Cooperative Extension Service and was associate dean of engagement for the University of Nevada, Reno. He was hired by Oregon State University in September 2021 as vice provost for extension and engagement and director of Oregon State’s extension service. He retired in March 2024.

Edward Feser, provost and executive vice president of Oregon State, said Lyles reinvigorated the university’s community engagement and strengthened its statewide presence. In a Feb. 13 statement about Lyles’ retirement, Feser said Lyles helped secure a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture focused on youth development and bolstering Native American programs.

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.

Barber named interim AVP for agriculture, natural resources for extension service

LITTLE ROCK — Tom Barber has been named interim assistant vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the Cooperative Extension Service.

Barber, an extension weed scientist and director of the Jackson County Extension Center, will step into the role on Feb. 26. The position came open with the retirement of Vic Ford at the end of January. The extension service, the land-grant outreach arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will conduct a nationwide search for a new assistant vice president.

Tom Barber will be interim assistant VP for agriculture and natural resources in the wake of Vic Ford's retirement. (U of A System Division of Agriculture file photo)

“I am excited to have Tom Barber joining the administrative team as interim agriculture and natural resources program leader,” said John Anderson, director of the Cooperative Extension Service. “Tom brings many years of experience as a highly effective and highly respected state extension specialist. He knows what it takes to develop and deliver quality, research-based, high-impact programs, and he is well-connected, not only to his research counterparts within the University of Arkansas System, but also around the country. 

“I am grateful that he is willing to step into this temporary role to provide program stability and continuity as we make a thorough search for our next ANR program leader,” Anderson said.

Barber earned his bachelor’s and master’s in weed science at the University of Arkansas and his doctorate in weed science at Mississippi State University.

Barber joined the Division of Agriculture in 2007 as an extension cotton specialist and assistant professor. He moved to extension weed scientist in 2012 and in 2016, Barber was promoted to full professor, adding a research appointment from the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station to his duties.

“All of us in extension’s agriculture and natural resources appreciate the hard work Vic did on our behalf,” said Barber. “I’m committed to working with my colleagues to ensure the continuity of the programs and outreach that are part of our land-grant mission. I’m looking forward to being able to serve our stakeholders and will be glad to work on a smooth transition once we have our new assistant vice president.”

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.

Four States Ag Expo set for Feb. 8

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

TEXARKANA, Ark. – Growers and producers from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma will find the latest research-based information on row crops, livestock and forages, forestry, horticulture, integrated pest management, pollinators, mushrooms and more at the Four States Ag Expo on Feb. 8.

EXPO TIME — The Four States Ag Expo in Texarkana brings together ag industry professionals from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. (UADA graphic)

The expo is scheduled from 8:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m. at the Four States Fairgrounds, 3700 E. 50th St. in Texarkana. The event is a joint project of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Experts from both agencies will host workshops throughout the day.

 “We’ll be offering a variety of educational sessions to help our growers and producers learn best practices for their operations,” said Jennifer Caraway, Miller County extension staff chair and one of the organizers. “It’s also a great time to network with others in the agriculture industry.”

Organizers are expecting 350 attendees, Caraway said. She and Arkansas extension agents in Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Sevier, Polk, Howard and Hempstead counties served on the expo planning committee along with agents from Bowie, Morris, Cass and Red River counties in northeastern Texas.

“We’re proud to partner with Texas A& M AgriLife Extension on this event that has been growing in scope for the past several years,” said John Anderson, director of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. “Our collaboration helps us both of our agencies get research and resources for best practices into the hands of those who make their living in the agriculture industry.”

The expo is free, open to the public and includes a hamburger lunch. Texas Restricted Use Applicators can obtain up to five continuing education units (CEUs) at the expo.

Concurrent sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m. and include the following topics and speakers:

8:30 a.m.

• Controlling Biting Flies through Cattle Minerals containing IGRs — Dr. Shane Gadberry, Livestock and Forestry Station director, UADA

• Managing Common Household Pests around the Farmstead — Dr. Jon Zawislak, entomology and plant pathology instructor, UADA

• Native Plants for Pollinators — Phyllis Ballard, Texas Master Gardener

9:45 a.m.

• Growing Cucurbit Crops — Dr. Joe Masabni, assistant professor and extension horticulturist (vegetables), Texas A&M

• Easy Cattle Forage Calculator, Dr. Shane Gadberry, Livestock and Forestry Station  director, UADA

• Corn and Wheat Insect, Disease and Weed Updates — Dr. Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist, UADA

11 a.m.

• Oak and Loblolly Pine Tree Decline, Dr. Vic Ford, associate vice president of agriculture and natural resources, UADA

• Controlling External Parasites of Livestock — Sonja Swiger, professor and extension Entomologist, Texas A&M Greenhouse Management

• Joe Masabni, assistant professor and extension horticulturist, Texas A&M

1 p.m.

• Mushrooms in the Wild — Dr. Vic Ford, associate vice president of agriculture and natural resources, UADA

• Reversing Declining Forage Stands — Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, professor and extension forage specialist, Texas A&M

• Controlling House Flies around Livestock Barns — Sonja Swiger, professor and extension Entomologist, Texas A&M

2:15 p.m.

• Following the Pesticide Label to Ensure Applicator Safety — Ples Spradley, pesticide assessment specialist, UADA

• Arkansas Restricted Use Pesticide Applicator Training — Jennifer Caraway, Miller County extension agent, UADA

• Texas Auxin Training — Dr. Brian Triplett, Red River County agent, Texas A&M

For more information, visit https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/4-states-ag-expo.aspx.

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. 

Stone County native Anderson to take Cooperative Extension Service reins in 2024

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — An agricultural economist raised in the tiny Stone County community of Timbo is set to become the next director of the Cooperative Extension Service.

John Anderson will assume his new role as senior associate vice president-extension for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture on Jan. 2, said Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture for the University of Arkansas System.

John Anderson will take the reins of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in January 2024. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

As director, Anderson will oversee the extension service land-grant outreach mission across all 75 counties.

“With his broad experience, outstanding record of innovation and achievements and just plain enthusiasm for the outreach mission, John is set to strengthen the work the Cooperative Extension Service is doing to improve lives in Arkansas,” said Fields. “John’s background in agriculture, economics and policy will be of great use as leader of the extension service.”

Anderson has been head of the agricultural economics and agribusiness department since January 2020, with appointments in both the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and the Division of Agriculture. He is also head of the Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence. Before that, he worked for the American Farm Bureau in Washington and is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve.

For more than 20 years, Anderson has worked as an agricultural economist in both academic and industry positions. His work has involved describing and assessing the farm- and agricultural sector-level impacts of policy, regulatory and market developments across a wide variety of agricultural commodities and markets. Anderson has served as a faculty member, with primary appointments in extension, at the University of Kentucky and Mississippi State University.

Anderson has a B.S. in agribusiness from College of the Ozarks, a Master of Science in agriculture degree from Arkansas State University and a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University. He also went back to school to earn a master’s in Christian leadership from the Dallas Theological Seminary in 2020.

Earlier this year, Anderson was elected to become the next president of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association, a role in which he will continue.

Introduction to extension
Raised on a family farm with beef cattle, broilers and a custom hay harvest operation, Anderson grew up with extension.

“I remember being a little kid and us having a field day on our farm with extension,” he said. “We were early adopters of bermudagrass varieties, and we had some variety trials that the county agent ran on our farm.”

His family “had a fertilizer business and we were constantly running soil tests to the county office,” Anderson said. “My first exposure to extension was on the agriculture side.”

Far from being outdated, “extension as important as it's ever been,” he said. “If you look at what's going on in our rural communities right now, if you look at what's going on in the world, there’s a desperate need for unbiased, reliable information to help people make decisions across all aspects of their lives. That’s what extension does.”

Scott’s legacy
“I want to thank Bob Scott for his years of service as director of the Cooperative Extension Service,” Fields said. “Our outreach efforts are better for the work he’s done, and I know his accomplishments will have a lasting effect in the state of Arkansas.”

Scott became extension director in July 2020 and is returning to his faculty role. He has been with the Division of Agriculture since 2002.

The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

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.

Arkansas native elected next president of Southern Agricultural Economics Association

By Lauren Sutherland
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Starting next year, John Anderson will be in a position to provide strategic guidance to the Southern Agriculture Economics Association, an organization he says has helped shape him professionally for more than two decades.

Anderson, a native of Timbo in Stone County, is head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences.

John Anderson was elected president of the Southern Agriucltural Economics Assocation. (U of A System Division of Agriculture image by Fred Miller)

In February, Anderson was elected to be the next president of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association for 2024.

“It is an honor for me to have this opportunity to give back to an organization that has done so much for me,” Anderson said. “I am looking forward to working closely with them and the rest of the SAEA Executive Council over the coming year.”

Anderson has been a member of the SAEA since he was a graduate student in the late 1990s. His participation and involvement in the organization have helped shaped his professional outlook and provided him with countless opportunities.

“I have made lifelong friendships among my SAEA colleagues,” said Anderson. “I have known the current president, Marco Palma at Texas A&M, and past president, Rodney Holcomb at Oklahoma State, for many years and have the utmost respect for them both.”

The SAEA is a non-profit association comprised of economists striving to understand and explain the values and impacts of factors related to agricultural production, agribusiness, rural development, and natural resources management in the Southern United States.

“John is a very respected leader throughout the land-grant system,” said Deacue Fields, head of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and a past president of SAEA. “He will do a great job implementing programs for the SAEA. This is a great recognition of John’s leadership that will provide tremendous visibility for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.”

Encouraged to run

Rodney Holcomb, professor of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University, encouraged Anderson to stand for election.

“I’m a big fan of John Anderson. He’s an outstanding agricultural economist who is greatly respected by peers in both academia and industry,” said Holcomb. “He’s also a strategic thinker with excellent people skills, which is why he’s a good department head. That combination of talents is exactly what the SAEA needs, and that’s why I encouraged him to run for the office.”

Anderson was elected by a vote of the membership that includes 400 members of SAEA. The organization has a three-year rotation for the president's office where the candidate-elect will serve as president-elect for one year, president for the second year, and past president for the third year.

For that three-year period, Anderson will sit on the SAEA Executive Council to help provide strategic leadership to the organization and assist in managing the association’s functions, the primary functions being the organization and execution of the annual meeting and management of the SAEA’s peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

For more than 20 years, John has worked as a professional agricultural economist in both academic and industry positions. His work has involved describing and assessing the farm- and sector-level impacts of policy, regulatory, and market developments across a wide variety of agricultural commodities and markets. John has served as a faculty member, with primary appointments in extension, at the University of Kentucky and Mississippi State University. He received his Bachelor’s in Agribusiness from College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri, a Master of Agriculture at Arkansas State University, and his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma 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.