Extension plans forestry management workshop in DeGray region

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

BISMARCK, Ark. — With more than half of Arkansas covered in forests, a lot depends on how well those woodlands are managed. Air and water quality, wildlife habitat and jobs that sustain the state’s economy are all directly affected.

FORESTS — Extension's Forestry Management Workshop on June 27 will offer best management practices for forestry landowners and professionals. (Division of Agriculture graphic)

Specialists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host a one-day workshop June 27 to provide the state’s forest landowners, forestry professionals and watershed resource managers with updated research on forestry management.

The workshop is set for 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at DeGray Lake Lodge and Jack Mountain wildlife management area, 20-27 State Park Entrance Road in Bismarck. The workshop is free, and people can register at https://uaex.uada.edu/forestry.

“Attendees will see active pine forest management operations from establishment to thinning to final harvest,” Kyle Cunningham, associate professor of forestry with the Division of Agriculture, said. “We will visit an active wildlife management area at the Jack Mountain wildlife management area demonstrating vegetation management for wildlife. After lunch, attendees will learn about where their water comes from and potential threats to water quality. We will also include additional pine forest management information for achieving specific management goals."

Private landowners, including farmers, ranchers, and other individuals own 69 percent of the timberland in the state. Many actively manage their woodlands. National forests account for 1 percent of the state’s forested acreage, while forest resource companies own or lease 12 percent.

Speakers include the following:

University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture — Kyle Cunningham, associate professor of forestry, and John Pennington, water quality educator

Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division — Michael Miller

Ross Foundation — Mark Karnes, director of operations, and Eric Rhodes, forester

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission — Kevin Woods

Army Corps of Engineers, Ouachita Office— Shannon Herrin, project forester

Schedule

8 a.m. — Meet in DeGray Lake Lodge parking lot

8:30 a.m. — Depart for Jack Mountain WMA for tours

11:45 a.m. — Return to DeGray Lodge for lunch

12:45 p.m. — Forest management for health and productivity (indoors)

Water sources and threats in the DeGray area

Forestry best management practices

Getting the most from your pine forest: invasive species, carbon programs and more

This workshop is part of the Productive Forests Protecting Water series, sponsored by the Division’s Arkansas Forest Resource Center and the Ross Foundation in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, the Arkansas Forestry Association and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

To find forestry resources, visit https://www.uaex.uada.edu/forestry

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.

2.7% jobless rate in May a new low for Arkansas; tourism sector adds more than 10,000 jobs

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

There is no sign of a looming recession in Arkansas’ job market. The state jobless rate hit a record low of 2.7% in May, which followed a record low of 2.8% in April. Also, three of the state’s largest job sectors set record employment in May.

The number of employed in Arkansas during May was an estimated 1,343,657, up 16,675 jobs, or 1.25%, compared with May 2022, and above the 1,339,400 in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report posted Friday (June 17). The May numbers are preliminary and subject to revision.

Arkansas’ labor force, the number of people eligible to work, in May was 1,380,752, up 0.74% from the 1,370,505 in May 2022 and above the 1,378,421 in April. The state’s labor force participation rate was 57.5% in May, unchanged from April, and below 57.7% in May 2022.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/2-7-jobless-rate-in-may-a-new-low-for-arkansas-tourism-sector-adds-more-than-10000-jobs/

Muscadine wine rises to the top in 2023 AQW competition

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The humble native grape has shouldered aside wines made with traditional grapes, as judges named Wiederkehr Wine Cellars’ White Muscadine the best of show in the 2023 Arkansas Quality Wine competition.

WINNING WINES — The medal-winning wines from the 2023 Arkansas Quality Wine program. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Amanda Fleming)

The third annual competition held in May saw six wineries submit 33 wines. Ninety-one percent of the entries received gold or silver medals, making them eligible for Arkansas Quality Wine status.

The contest has been judged by the same palates since its inception: Justin Scheiner, Ph.D., assistant professor and viticulture specialist from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; Michael Cook, viticulture program specialist for north Texas with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; and Lorri Hambuchen, author and owner of The Wine Center in Little Rock.

“We were proud to participate in the AQW Wine Competition and even more proud to see Adam Wiederkehr, our fifth-generation winemaker's skills, recognized with the Best of Show for Wiederkehr's White Muscadine,” said Dennis Wiederkehr, the winery’s president. “The AQW is an excellent program that promotes the growth and quality of the Arkansas Wine Industry. Thank you for the recognition and the opportunity to be tested.”

Muscadine magic

Muscadines (Vitis rotundifolia) are native to Arkansas and in late summer and early fall can be found in a variety of greens, bronzes and dark purples. They’re thick-skinned and juicy and have something of a cult following for their candy-like flavor and sweetness. They are not of the same genus as the grapes that go into wines such as cabernet, pinots and sauvignon blanc, which are made of grapes from the species Vitis vinifera.

Scheiner said that “muscadine wines are highly aromatic, much more so than most vinifera wines and the specific flavors are different.

“Muscadine wines have a distinct intense fruity character that is quite recognizable, although the nuanced flavors can vary widely by variety and wine style,” he said. “I suppose the magic is that muscadines grow very well in Arkansas and the winemakers have really honed their techniques to produce consistently high-quality wines from them.”

2023 was “a fabulous year of strong entries,” Cook said. “The judges were shown a wide array of styles from dry to dessert. A really fun showing of colors and delightful aromas. It was clear that the entries this year consisted of a full expression of hard work between grower and winemaker.”

Renee Threlfall, research scientist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and director of AQW, said muscadines are a natural choice for Arkansas wines.

“A large amount of the grape acreage in Arkansas is muscadine because it is native to the southeast and more resilient than other grape species grown in Arkansas.

“Consumers enjoy the unique flavors and versatility of the many styles of muscadine wines that are commercially produced in Arkansas,” she said.

Goal to improve Arkansas wines

The competition is part of the AQW initiative’s efforts to set quality standards for Arkansas-made wine, provide professional development for growers and winemakers, and entice consumers to taste the fruit of the state’s vines and their unique flavors. The program was established in 2021 as part of a project funded by a specialty crop block grant from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

“This year's competition showed an exciting group of participants for Arkansas wines,” Hambuchen said. “We are seeing a dedicated commitment to the Arkansas wine industry and the continued potential we have to captivate not only our local market but also wine consumers outside the state.

“Each year this competition brings more wines showcasing winemakers' innovative techniques and commitment to craft wines that not only embody the excellence of our grapes but also capture the unique aspect of our region,” she said. “We look forward to watching our growers and winemakers on the continued growth of our Arkansas industry.”

The wines were scored on a variation of the 20-point system created by the University of California at Davis. Wines earning 17-20 points earned gold medals, 15-16 points earned a silver medal, and 13-14 points earned a bronze medal. To earn a double gold, a wine must earn a gold medal vote from every judge.

2023 AQW winners:

Keels Creek Winery

2022 Valvin Muscat — Double gold medal

2022 Embarrassed — Silver medal

2022 Muscat — Silver medal

2022 Vignoles — Bronze medal

2022 Ozark Truck — Bronze medal

Mount Bethel Winery

Vignoles — Gold medal

Red Muscadine — Bronze medal

Post Winery, Inc

Ives Noir — Double gold medal

Pink Muscadine — Double gold medal

Red Muscadine — Double gold medal

White Muscadine — Double gold medal

Niagara — Gold medal

Blush Niagara — Gold medal

Red Table Wine — Silver medal

Blue Parachute — Silver medal

2021 Chambourcin — Silver medal

2021 Reserve X Enchantment — Bronze medal

Rusty Tractor Vineyards

2019 Valvin Muscat — Gold medal

2019 Vignoles — Gold medal

2020 Traminette — Gold medal

2020 Chambourcin — Silver medal

2020 Cynthiana — Silver medal

2020 Muscadine — Silver medal

2020 Muscoles — Bronze medal

2020 Enchantment — Bronze medal

Wiederkehr Wine Cellars

White Muscadine — Double gold medal

Blush Muscadine — Gold medal

Weinfest Wine — Gold medal

Red Muscadine — Silver medal

Strawberry Alpine — Silver medal

To be eligible for AQW designation, wines must contain at least 90 percent Arkansas-grown grapes.

Photo of contest judges

WINE COMP TEAM — The 2023 Arkansas Quality Wine competition team included Jordan Chenier, left, food science graduate student; Renee Threlfall, research scientist; competition judge Michael Cook of Texas A&M; Amanda Fleming, food science graduate student; Lorri Hambuchen; Andrea Myers, food science program technician; competition judge Justin Scheiner of Texas A&M; and Walker Bartz, food science graduate student. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

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 us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Search launched for new Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service director

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has launched the search for a new director for its outreach arm, the Cooperative Extension Service.

SEARCH — Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, announced that a search has begun for a new director of the division's outreach arm, the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

Deacue Fields, vice president for agriculture for the University of Arkansas System and head of the Division of Agriculture, on Wednesday announced the committee tasked to find candidates for the position of senior associate vice president-extension. He appointed Jeff Edwards, head of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences for the Division and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, as committee chair.

“Filling this position is mission critical,” said Fields. “This is an outstanding career opportunity. The committee members represent the many facets of the Cooperative Extension Service and I believe the members will find candidates who can lead this organization to the next level.”

The senior associate vice president for extension is responsible for operations, management, programs, stakeholder relations and services involving about 600 appointed full-time and 200 part-time personnel. This includes management of federal, state, and county appropriated funds along with grant and gift resources, and an annual budget of $61 million.

The position is headquartered in Little Rock and directly supervises an executive team and other administrative staff. The Cooperative Extension Service has centers in Lonoke and Newport, with county agents and staff in all 75 Arkansas counties, and faculty and staff on seven experiment station campuses and two university campuses.

Find the full job description. Send names of potential candidates to search committee chair Jeff Edwards.

The search committee is comprised of:

Jeff Edwards – Chair, Head of Crop Soil and Environmental Sciences

Diana Morian – Cooperative Extension Service IT Director

Debbie Nistler – Assistant VP for 4-H and Youth Development

Shane Gadberry – Director, Livestock and Forestry Station

Mary Beth Groce — Faulkner County Extension Staff Chair

Jarrod Hardke — Rice Extension Agronomist

Laura Hendrix — Interim Associate Department Head, Family and Consumer Sciences

Mike Blazier – Dean, College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, UA-Monticello

Dave Caldwell – Head of Poultry Science

Hunter Goodman — Assistant Professor, Community, Professional and Economic Development

James Mitchell — Extension Livestock Economist

Kevin Lawson — Extension Ozark District Director

Priscella Thomas-Scott – 4-H Events Coordinator

Kelly Robbins – Stakeholder, Arkansas Rice

The incumbent, Bob Scott, announced his intent to return to faculty. He will remain as director until a new one is selected. The posting will remain open until filled.

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 us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

UAMS Clinical Informatics Team Goes Overseas to Share Expertise in Streamlining Patient Care

By Linda Satter

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)’ Clinical Informatics team recently visited England to help the Royal Marsden Hospital in London transition to the Epic electronic medical record system.

Ashleigh Kathiresan, MS.Ed., director of Clinical Informatics at UAMS, said the specialty cancer treatment hospital for adult patients first reached out to Arkansas Children’s, which put them in touch with Joseph Sanford, M.D., associate vice chancellor and chief clinical informatics officer at UAMS as well as director for the Institute of Digital Health & Innovation, for on-site support during its implementation of Epic.

Kathiresan said the Clinical Informatics team attends annual conferences for Epic, the provider of the health care software that UAMS uses, and through networking at those conferences has come to be known as a knowledgeable source of information on implementing the system.

https://news.uams.edu/2023/06/16/uams-clinical-informatics-team-goes-overseas-to-share-expertise-in-streamlining-patient-care/

The second group of UAMS employees on the steps of the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Arkansas lawmakers reflect on recent session

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Arkansas lawmakers gathered Thursday to discuss the recent legislative session. At a summit held by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Democratic Reps. Andrew Collins and Ashley Hudson and Republican Rep. Julie Mayberry were critical of the pace at which the legislature moves.

“We have too many bills too fast,” Mayberry said. “We don't spend enough time in the interim working on those bills before they come forward."

After studying it, Mayberry says 41% of bills were sent to the governor's desk in the last three days of session.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-06-16/arkansas-lawmakers-reflect-on-recent-session

Josie Lenora/KUAR News

Democratic Reps. Andrew Collins and Ashley Hudson join Rep. Julie Mayberry to talk about the highs and lows of the recent legislative session in a summit on Thursday.

Arkansas Supreme Court reverses decision to put LEARNS Act on pause

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

The Arkansas Supreme Court ended a restraining order against the LEARNS Act, Gov. Sarah Sanders’ signature education law, but the case will continue to be litigated.

In a 5-2 vote with four concurring opinions, the Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday (June 15) reversed and vacated a temporary restraining order against the LEARNS Act and remanded the case back to the court that issued the order.

The decision allows the state Department of Education to begin implementing Gov. Sarah Sanders’ education reform law but does not close the case.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/arkansas-supreme-court-reverses-decision-to-put-learns-act-on-pause/

Arkansas 43rd in latest Kids Count study of child well-being

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Arkansas ranked 43rd in the 2023 Annie E. Casey Kids Count Data Book, which measures child well-being across four domains: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community.

The state ranked ahead of four of its adjoining states in this 34th edition of the study: Texas (44th), Oklahoma (46th), Mississippi (48th) and Louisiana (49th). Missouri was 28th and Tennessee was 36th.

Arkansas ranked 37th in the report’s education domain. Seventy percent of the state’s fourth-graders were not proficient in reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in 2022, compared to 69% in 2019. That was slightly worse than the national averages of 68% in 2022 and 66% in 2019.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/arkansas-43rd-in-latest-kids-count-study-of-child-well-being/

$75.5 million in legislation for foreign pilot training center in Fort Smith

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

The expensive effort to create a foreign military pilot training center in Fort Smith may have $75.5 million – if not more – in the next federal fiscal year to begin preparing for a full complement of fighter planes estimated to arrive in late 2025 or early 2026.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, announced Tuesday (June 13) that legislation approved Tuesday by the U.S. House Appropriations Committee includes $75.5 million “for three Ebbing Air National Guard Base projects” associated with the planned pilot training center. The funding will be available through Sept. 30, 2024, according to the legislation.

It has been estimated that the full cost to create an operational foreign pilot training center will range between $700 million and $800 million.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/75-5-million-in-legislation-for-foreign-pilot-training-center-in-fort-smith/

University of Arkansas prepares to dissolve DEI division

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville will reallocate staff and resources from its Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion this year, Chancellor Charles Robinson announced in an email Tuesday.

Russell Cothren/University Of Arkansas

Chancellor Charles Robinson speaks at the University of Arkansas. The UA Board of Trustees unanimously selected him as chancellor Nov. 16, 2022.

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

Beginning in the fall, existing resources and personnel currently assigned to the DEI Division will be incorporated in Student Success, Student Affairs, Human Resources, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance and University Advancement “so that these areas can expand programs around access, opportunity and developing a culture of belonging for all students and employees,” Robinson wrote.

Additionally, the Office of Equal Opportunity & Compliance will be “formally aligned” with Human Resources while also maintaining a direct reporting line to the chancellor’s office.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-06-15/university-of-arkansas-prepares-to-dissolve-dei-division

James Suen, M.D., Joins Medical Mission Team Treating Patients in Ukraine

By Linda Satter

A recent mission to Ukraine by a group of doctors to provide medical care to children and soldiers in Ukraine included James Y. Suen, M.D., a world-renowned otolaryngologist and distinguished professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

James Suen, M.D., and his former resident, Steve Orten, M.D., in Ukraine.

As an otolaryngic surgeon who specializes in head and neck cancer, congenital vascular lesions of the head and neck, and diseases of the larynx, Suen was part of a diverse team of medical experts that spent a week in March treating patients in Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine.

Organized by the Dallas-based nonprofit group LEAP (Life Enhancement Association for People) Global Missions, in cooperation with the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine, the group treated babies and children with congenital deformities and adults with war injuries.

https://news.uams.edu/2023/06/09/james-suen-m-d-joins-medical-mission-team-treating-patients-in-ukraine/

Dr. Randy Walker Clinic to Sponsor Clinical Medical Assistant Students

June 12, 2023

The Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice and Allergy Clinic has partnered with UA Cossatot to offer full sponsorships for the college’s Clinical Medical Assistant Program. Walker will award over $25,000 in sponsorships for the 160-hour workforce development program designed to prepare students to function as professionals in multiple healthcare settings.

Angie Walker, with Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice and Allergy Clinic, said, “Our goal is to expand access to training and grow the workforce for healthcare employers in the region.”

The program will prepare learners to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office. Instruction includes preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, pharmacology, taking and documenting vital signs, technical aspects of phlebotomy, the 12-lead EKG and the cardiac life cycle. The purpose of the Clinical Medical Assisting program is to prepare learners to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office.

Training is open to candidates with a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) Certification and will be delivered in a hybrid format consisting of a combination of instructor-led online sessions and hands-on lab sessions August 14 – December 7, 2023. Classes will meet Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 – 9:00 PM.

Graduates will be awarded a Career Training Certificate and 16 Continuing Education Units. Successful completers will also be eligible to take the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Clinical Medical Assistant (CMAC) and National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exams.

UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “Partnerships between higher-education institutions and employers, like Dr. Walker, improve the prosperity of individuals, businesses, and communities. UA Cossatot will continue to look for and offer short-term certificate training that will lead to jobs, good jobs in our region that students can train for in a very short time.”

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or enroll, contact Continuing Education at 870-584-1178 or ContinuingEducation@cccua.edu. Employers interested in sponsoring additional students may contact Workforce Development at 870-584-1136 or Workforce@cccua.edu

The latest weather briefing for Arkansas from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

An active pattern will remain in place into the weekend, with chances for thunderstorms expected nearly every day through Sunday. Some of these storms could become strong to severe. Expect damaging winds and large hail with the strongest storms, with locally heavy rainfall also possible. The best chances for seeing any strong to severe thunderstorms will be late tonight into Friday morning, and again Saturday night through Sunday. However, there will still be some potential outside of these times.

For the latest forecast information and updates, please visit:

www.weather.gov/lzk

www.facebook.com/NWSLittleRock

www.twitter.com/NWSLittleRock

Your NWS Little Rock Forecast Team

More rounds of showers and thunderstorms for Arkansas into Friday; weather briefing from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

A front will be nearly stationary across southern Arkansas through at least Friday. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will surround the front Wednesday and again Friday.

Storms that become severe will be capable of producing very large hail and damaging wind.

A new cold front will arrive from the Plains late Saturday into Sunday. Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms will likely accompany the front.

Late in the weekend and early next week, precipitation will become more spotty and it will heat up. Heat index values will likely exceed 100 degrees, mainly from Little Rock southward.

NALC webinar to provide overview of U.S. charitable food system

By Tru Joi Curtis
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Food insecurity affects more than 34 million Americans in the United States and more than a quarter of them are children, according to Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks.

Audry Thompson, staff attorney at Penn State Law, will discuss the U.S. charitable food system in the National Ag Law Center webinar on June 21.

To help those facing hunger, farmers and food processors all play a role by assisting the U.S. charitable food system and federal and state food surplus programs. The U.S. charitable food system includes a network of over 200 food banks: regional organizations that source, warehouse and distribute food.

“Food insecurity is an issue that has so many facets,” National Agricultural Law Center Director Harrison Pittman said. “It’s important to understand the important role that charitable food programs play for millions of people every day and what it means for those who donate food.”

The U.S. charitable food system’s success depends on connecting food producers with consumers. This allows donations by producers to be distributed to consumers and families in need.

“Ensuring food security for families and children within the United States is essential,” Audry Thompson, staff attorney at the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, said. “Food processors, as well as agricultural producers, play an important role in providing necessary assistance through the charitable food system.”

With recent higher grocery costs, the need for surplus donations is more urgent. Producers who donate benefit from various forms of protection, including liability.

Thompson will discuss the federal and state food surplus programs, as well as how they connect agricultural producers with consumers, in the NALC’s next webinar, “An Overview of U.S. Charitable Food Surplus Programs.” The webinar will be held on Wednesday, June 21, at 11 a.m. Central/noon Eastern.

“This webinar will highlight these programs, discuss how federal and state programs connect producers with consumers, and outline liability and other protections put into place for those donating their surplus,” Thompson said.

The webinar is free of charge and registration is online.

“We’re looking forward to hearing Audry discuss these programs that work to benefit millions of Americans who are in need,” Pittman said. “With the current need for surplus donations from producers, it is extremely important that people know more about charitable food programs in the U.S.”

For information about the National Agricultural Law Center, visit nationalaglawcenter.org or follow @Nataglaw on Twitter. The National Agricultural Law Center is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.

For updates on agricultural law and policy developments, subscribe free of charge to The Feed, the NALC’s newsletter highlighting recent legal developments facing agriculture, which issues twice a month.

Nitrogen and drones on agenda for 2023 Arkansas Corn Field Day

By Sarah Cato
U of A System Division of Agriculture

COLT, Ark. — Producers looking to implement optimized management practices in large-scale corn production won’t want to miss the 2023 Corn Field Day. The event, hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will feature discussions of mid-season tissue sampling, multiple uses for drones and more.

Combine harvesting corn

GOOD NEWS IN THE FIELD — The 2023 Corn Field Day will feature discussions of mid-season tissue sampling, multiple uses for drones and more. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

The field day is scheduled for June 21 at the Division of Agriculture Pine Tree Research Station located at 7337 Highway 306 West in Colt. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m., and the first presentation begins at 8:35 a.m.

“We are excited to host this field day and meet with Arkansas producers face to face,” said Aurelie Poncet, assistant professor of precision agriculture for the Division of Agriculture. “We will be demonstrating several helpful tools and methods for producers to get the best bang for their buck.”

Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist, and Trent Roberts, endowed chair in soil fertility research, will discuss best management practices for corn. Poncet will showcase her research in drone usage for the assessment of mid-season corn nitrogen status. Jason Davis, application technologist for the Division of Agriculture, will demonstrate how drones can be used in weed detection. The full agenda is as follows:

7:45 a.m. – Registration

8:35 a.m. – Corn Management and Growth and Development,

Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist

9:20 – Tissue Sampling and Mid-Season Fertilizer Management,

Trent Roberts, associate professor of soil fertility

10:15 a.m. – Assessment of Mid-Season Corn Nitrogen Status Using Drones,

Aurelie Poncet, assistant professor of precision agriculture

11 a.m. – Remote Weed Detections with Drones and Spot Herbicide Applications, Jason Davis, application technologist

12 p.m. – Lunch

The Corn Field Day is open to the public, with no cost to attend. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required and those interested can register at bit.ly/43zQ2d7.

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 Agricultural Experiment Station recognizes employees for early career performance

By Fred Miller
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station has honored five faculty and staff with Early Career Recognition of Professional Excellence Awards. The RoPE Awards recognize outstanding performance.

The Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Science

CAREER EXCELLENCE — The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station honored five faculty and staff with Early Career Recognition of Professional Excellence Awards. The awards honor employees who have sustained exceptional performance early in their careers. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Fred Miller)

The recipients are:

Classified Business and Administrative Support: Lisa Spurlin, administrative specialist, department of food science

Non-Classified Business and Administrative Support: Jenny Braun, project/program specialist, department of entomology and plant pathology

Classified Research Support: Richard Cyle Jones, research technician, Southwest Research and Extension Center

Non-Classified Research Support: Leo Bonilha Piveta, research scientist, department of crop, soil and environmental sciences

Faculty: Alejandro Rojas, assistant professor, department of entomology and plant pathology

The award recognizes full-time Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station employees who have sustained exceptional performance during their early careers, said Jean-François Meullenet, senior associate vice president for agriculture-research and director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

“Our faculty and staff are committed to the Land Grant missions of research, extension and education,” Meullenet said. “In this early chapter of their careers, this year’s RoPE Award recipients embraced our mission and are contributing every day to our charge to achieve scientific discoveries that benefit Arkansas citizens, expand agricultural sustainability and profitability, promote environmental stewardship, strengthen local and state economies and ensure a safe and nutritious food supply,” Meullenet said.

Meullenet said full-time employees in good standing with a majority experiment station appointment, and who have completed two to seven years of continuous service are eligible for the RoPE Award. Recipients receive a $2,500 award.

Lisa Spurlin joined the department of food science in 2021 and serves as the front desk receptionist. She is the first point of contact for students, faculty, prospective students and visitors and is credited by faculty and staff with creating a comfortable atmosphere that is fundamental for a diverse community.

Department head Jeyam Subbiah said Spurlin often steps up to fill a need when it arises, going beyond her assigned duties.

Spurlin provides a number of essential administrative services, including degree audits for graduate students, enrollment support, and submission of graduate forms to the Graduate School. She assists with travel arrangements, reimbursements and purchases for labs, tracking inventory and surplus items for the department and helping to organize events, interviews and meetings.

Jenny Braun joined the Division of Agriculture in 2018 and became fiscal manager for the department of entomology and plant pathology in 2020. She took over the duties at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when nearly everyone was working remotely. Her transition to the job was further complicated because the Division of Agriculture was transitioning to a new financial management system. The department had recently merged two previously separate departments into one, an enormous task that Braun managed expertly.

Braun managed more than 140 spending accounts, a task that department head Ken Korth said is complex because the funds are managed by several entities and come from multiple sources. These sources often come through very different systems that have varying policies. Braun oversaw spending on all the accounts, ensuring that fiscal policies are strictly followed and helped prepare regular reports and annual budgets. She also processed travel claims submitted by students, staff and faculty, and provided faculty researchers with regular accounting of balances and spending of their many grants accounts.

Braun has recently joined the experiment station business office, where she continues to serve with the utmost dedication and efficiency.

Richard Cyle Jones has been a research field technician at the Southwest Research and Extension Center near Hope for four years. Center director Daniel Rivera said Jones primarily works with the animal science program, but his expertise at welding and vehicle repair and maintenance makes him valuable across all the center’s programs.

In his nomination letter, Rivera said, “Cyle has a good deal of hands-on skil that make him indispensable to the research mission at SWREC. Studies involving high-risk, newly received cattle require personnel who are familiar with these types of animals and have the ability to evaluate the health of these animals. Cyle’s background with these types of animals make him the point person on these types of studies.”

Rivera said that Jones’ leadership experience as an Army veteran have made him instrumental in working with summer interns and part-time workers. He instills in them an understanding of how important research and record-keeping are to the success of the beef cattle research program.

In his letter, Rivera said, “During my tenure as director, Cyle has always stepped up and gone the extra mile regarding animal care and study management.”

Leo Bonilha Piveta began as a program associate in Distinguished Professor Jason Norsworthy’s weed science program in 2018 and transitioned to a research scientist appointment in 2022. Norsworthy’s research includes about 200 trials annually at seven locations. Piveta manages most trials in eastern Arkansas and assists in guiding 12 or more graduate students in their research endeavors.

“When I have a new student or hourly worker that needs training, I always make sure they are placed with Leo for the first few weeks of employment,” Norsworthy said in his nomination letter. “Leo is willing to put in the extra time and effort to ensure that a research project is completed correctly and timely.”

Beyond the fieldwork, Piveta goes above and beyond expectations when writing reports, research summaries and peer-reviewed papers, Norsworthy said. At the time of nomination, Piveta had authored or co-authored five peer-reviewed manuscripts, 17 research summaries and 93 abstracts. Norsworthy said the work is “a testament to his leadership within my program.”

Alejandro Rojas joined the experiment station research faculty in 2018 as an assistant professor in the department of entomology and plant pathology. Department head Ken Korth said in his nomination letter that Rojas has steadily built a strong program that has impact for Arkansas agriculture. His work has yielded an impressive output in publications and grant funding for research. He focuses on soilborne plant pathogens, greenhouse plant production and seed quality, addressing critical needs of Arkansas farmers.

Korth said Rojas is the lead investigator or co-investigator on more than $1.9 million in grant-funded projects. “This is an impressive total amount of funding,” Korth wrote, “but equally important is that it comes from a broad mix of sources ranging from federal to state levels.”

The funding, Korth said, illustrates how effectively Rojas’ work spans both applied fieldwork and fundamental laboratory research.

Besides being a productive researcher, Korth said, he is an effective mentor of younger scientists, currently advising five graduate students and four undergraduates in his lab. His students regularly earn awards for their mentored work at both state and national levels. Because of his reputation as both a scientist and teacher, Rojas is highly sought after by his peers to serve on their graduate student advisory committees. At the time of his nomination, Rojas was serving on 13 advising committees.

“I have had the good fortune to serve as his supervisor and watch him grow as an outstanding faculty member and contributor to the success of our department and institution,” Korth wrote. “In addition to being a skilled scientist and teacher, Dr. Rojas is simply an outstanding colleague and person. His drive and professionalism make him an excellent role model for students and a valued collaborator by other faculty and staff.”

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch and on Instagram at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Arkansas 4-H honors teen leaders, announces Hall of Fame inductee - Ethan Wolcott of Sevier County

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas 4-H honored some of its best and brightest leaders June 7, inducting its newest member of the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame and announcing 54 new Teen Stars who are leaders in their clubs and communities.

INDUCTEE — Ethan Wolcott is the newest member of the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame. (Division of Agriculture photo)

The honors were bestowed during the Arkansas 4-H annual Teen Leader Conference that brings together 100 teenagers from across the state to the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center for leadership development this week.

The three-day conference is open to 4-H members ages 14-19 and is designed to help prepare teens for leadership and service responsibilities in their local clubs and counties. In fact, the entire conference is planned and organized by the Arkansas 4-H state officers and 4-H Ambassadors.

“This conference demonstrates the caliber of young leaders we have here in Arkansas,” Arkansas 4-H director Debbie Nistler said. “I’m excited to see what they do in the future as young adult leaders.”

This year’s theme — “Planet Clover” — focuses on creating space for youth to explore ways to develop their leadership skills. The clover is a reference to the 4-H emblem, a four-leaf clover. The youth organized several space-themed activities, including a Flying Saucers cooking challenge, STEM experiments, and a Shooting for the Stars leadership and confidence-building activity.

Hall of Fame

Ethan Wolcott of Sevier County was inducted into the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame, an award reserved for one 4-H member who demonstrates high achievement, commitment and service.

Wolcott has been a 4-H member since 2011 and was a Teen Star, a 4-H Ambassador, a 4-H camp counselor and a two-time finalist for the 4-H Governor’s Award. He and his father started the Sevier County Community Changers 4-H Club, which focuses on community service, Wolcott’s passion. Wolcott has participated in food, clothing and disaster relief drives and has developed leadership skills through community service. One summer he conducted a Be Cool Stay Cool Fan Drive, raising enough money to donate 94 fans to senior citizens in his community.

“It’s surreal,” Wolcott said, shortly after receiving the Hall of Fame award. “I want to use this momentum to continue doing what I’ve been doing — helping my community and sharing 4-H with others.”

Wolcott, 19, recently graduated from Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas where he completed an Associate of General Studies. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in K-6 education so he can teach history.

Annabelle Ferren of White County was a finalist for the Hall of Fame award. With projects in arts and humanities, she has served as a Teen Star, a 4-H Ambassador and vice president of the Arkansas 4-H officer team. Her community service has involved work with food pantries, animal shelters and Special Olympics.

Teen Stars

Arkansas 4-H recognizes members for outstanding achievement in their projects and activities, leadership and community service with the Teen Star recognition.

This year’s 54 Teen Stars were selected from hundreds of applicants and represent 27 counties. The recognition paves the way for these young people to move into higher positions of leadership as 4-H Ambassadors, who can run for state officer positions. Any Teen Star who is graduating high school can also apply for the $1,000 Zack O. and Jennie D. Jennings Scholarship.

Gracie Goodwin, 15, of Pike County, was enjoying the first day of the conference as a Teen Star.

“I hope to gain leadership skills and knowledge,” she said. “After this, I plan to apply to be an Ambassador.”

Other teens, including Olivia Kossman from Carroll County and Kinslea Fowler, 14, of Prairie County, have already set their sights on running for 4-H state office.

“I’ve been in 4-H for 11 years,” said Kossman, who has animal science projects. “I’ve wanted to be a state officer for a while.”

Other teens were content to listen to speakers and participate in the group activities.

Elijah Gaskin, a member of the Velvet Ridge 4-H Club in White County, has been in 4-H for 10 years and has a public speaking project.

“I’m just here to meet new people and learn to be a better leader,” he said.

This year’s Teen Stars include:

Baxter County — Hannah Dooley

Benton County — Kolby Campbell, Daniel Darnell, Natalie Campen, Emily Jackson, Ramsey Puryear, Caroline Epperson, Brooklyn Luedecke and Hailey Harris

Carroll County — Olivia Kossmann, Jesse Warner and Andrew Rexwinkle

Clark County — Brady Daniell

Columbia County — Dawson Dooly

Faulkner County — Grace Branscum and Joy Garst

Franklin County — Ava McCartney

Garland County — Lara Lowry and Canaan Hunter

Grant County — Gavin McGinley, Gracie McGinley, Callen Shaw, Klaesy Knoefler and Aleecia Lewis

Greene County — Annah Martin

Hempstead County — Kassidy Beasley

Hot Spring County — Rylee Ray, Emma Eubanks, Atlanta Nelson and Jace Ramsey

Howard County — Anna McKinnon

Independence County — James Street and Annaleigh Mead

Little River County — Chelsea Cowan

Logan County — Shawn Hertlein

Madison County — Vallie Yancey

Marion County — Kaylee Cheek and Taylor Henley

Montgomery County — Opal Samons and Sawyer Beggs

Pike County — Gracie Goodwin

Pope County — Shelby Bateman

Prairie County — Kinsea Fowler

Saline County — Ian Price

Sebastian County — Karly Jones, Drake Slate and Mary Dunn

Union County — Alena Senn

Washington County — Alyosha Wood, Hemali Gauri, Rylie Bignar and Mayciee Dawdy

White County — Jonathan Watkins and James Gaskin

To learn about 4-H and other 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.

Celebrate Arkansas Farmer’s Market Week June 11-17

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — As summer arrives in the Natural State, many Arkansans are heading to their local farmer’s markets for fresh produce and other farm products. Rip Weaver, extension food systems and food safety technician for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said farmer’s markets are an important source for healthy, fresh and affordable food, especially for communities with limited access to such food.

ARKANSAS FARMER'S MARKET WEEK — Community members, Arkansas Department of Agriculture staff, representatives from hunger relief organizations, members of the media and other stakeholders braved the rain to gather at Oak Forest Community Garden in Little Rock for the Arkansas Farmer's Market Week Proclamation. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

“This is especially important in communities — including rural and urban — that may have reduced access to food,” Weaver said. “Furthermore, many markets actively incorporate programs such as SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks, to assist lower-income shoppers with purchasing food.”

To recognize the efforts of local growers and markets, Arkansas Deputy Agriculture Secretary Cynthia Edwards delivered Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ proclamation of June 11-17 as Arkansas Farmer’s Market Week.

On June 9, Edwards shared the proclamation with a crowd of community members, Arkansas Department of Agriculture staff, representatives from hunger relief organizations, members of the media and other stakeholders who braved the rain to gather at Oak Forest Community Garden in Little Rock.

“We are happy that you’re here, and we’re very excited that Governor Sanders proclaimed next week, June 11 through 17, as Arkansas Farmer’s Market Week,” Edwards said. “It’s one of our favorite events at the Department of Agriculture. We love celebrating our farmer’s markets.”

Edwards said there are 112 farmer’s markets in Arkansas with 1,500 farmers providing goods with a value in direct-to-consumer sales of over $9 million.

Weaver said fresh produce and other market products sold at farmer’s markets are significantly less likely to be impacted by supply chain disruptions, such as those that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Supply chains can be easily disrupted and cause long delays in products reaching consumers,” Weaver said. “The closer a product is to the consumer and the fewer hands it has to go through to get to them, the less likely it will be affected by these disruptions. This is especially important for something so basic as food, which we all need every day. Buying local not only feels good in many ways, it’s also a smarter choice for our long-term success.”

Local, fresh food for local communities

Edwards presented the proclamation to Katrina Betancourt, president and executive director of the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, the umbrella organization for the Arkansas Farmer’s Market Association. The group administers Double Up Food Bucks, a program that doubles the dollars for recipients of SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps — to purchase locally grown produce at many farmer’s markets and stands.

“Our organization is a coalition made up of other organizations, farmers, vendors and consumers,” Betancourt said. “Thank you again — every single one of you here is receiving this proclamation.”

Mark Nelson, garden and market manager for the Oak Forest Community Garden, also thanked attendees and emphasized the importance of supporting local farmer’s markets.

“We’re a small market, we’re tucked away in the neighborhood here, but we really take a lot of pride in what we do — being able to support access to healthy and fresh foods for the neighborhoods around here, participating in Double Up Food Bucks, and just to be a space for a growing community,” Nelson said. “The money that people spend at the University District Farmer’s Market goes right back into this garden. It helps support what we do, the programming we have and the work that we’re doing with other community partners to make this space into a truly communal space.”

Weaver said research has shown linkages and even positive outcomes between access to healthy, fresh food — including fruits and vegetables — and reduced chronic disease and mental health burdens in society.

“In addition to the societal health benefits, markets offer another sales channel for our state’s farmers, growers, and food producers,” Weaver said. “Not only are shoppers making a purchase that directly provides income to these folks, but the indirect benefits of community relationship building and buyer education about agriculture products also support the state’s agricultural industry.”

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.

UAMS Names Shashank Kraleti, M.D. Chair of Department of Family and Preventive Medicine

By Tamara Robinson

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine appointed Shashank Kraleti, M.D., as chair of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, effective July 1.

Kraleti will also hold the Dr. Algernon Sidney Garnett Chair in Family Medicine.

“Dr. Kraleti has served in numerous leadership roles since completing his residency training at UAMS and joining the faculty in 2012,” said G. Richard Smith, M.D., interim College of Medicine dean and executive vice chancellor of UAMS. “He has gained national recognition for his outstanding work to enhance the Little Rock Family Medicine Residency Program. He is highly respected by residents and faculty colleagues for his clinical skills and for the passion he brings to training outstanding family physicians.”

https://news.uams.edu/2023/06/12/uams-names-shashank-kraleti-m-d-chair-of-department-of-family-and-preventive-medicine/

Shashank Kraleti, M.D.