$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.

Cattle herd rebuilding means lower margins for packers like Tyson Foods

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Lower beef packer margins for Tyson Foods and other processors will continue as the U.S. beef cattle herd rebuilds, according to Derrell Peel, livestock marketing analyst at Oklahoma State University Extension.

Packers like Springdale-based Tyson Foods lost about $10 per head on the beef they processed for the week ending June 3. The loss per head widened from $5 per head the prior week. Packers profited about $87 per head a month ago and $265 per head a year ago, according to Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Packer margins are being squeezed by higher live cattle prices driven by fewer cattle supplies which has pushed processing capacity utilization down to 79% in recent weeks.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/cattle-herd-rebuilding-means-lower-margins-for-packers-like-tyson-foods/

Trucking industry leader discusses economy, workforce challenges

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

The president of the Arkansas Trucking Association, Shannon Newton, has seen plenty of ebbs and flows in her career leading and working in the transportation industry.

Economists and trucking executives are calling current industry conditions a “freight recession” which is causing a cyclical adjustment for companies throughout the nation’s supply chain.

“It’s very much like a recession-recession,” Newton said of a freight recession. “I think we’ve defined it kind of as a contraction in the demand over some sort of measurable period. The industry numbers indicate a contraction demand two months in a row. What you see is essentially the freight economy leading the anticipated recession that hasn’t really come.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/trucking-industry-leader-discusses-economy-workforce-challenges/

DHS disenrolls 43,385 extended Medicaid recipients, 68,838 total in May

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

The Arkansas Department of Human Services said it disenrolled 43,385 Medicaid beneficiaries whose coverage had been extended because of the COVID public health emergency in the month of May, the second month Arkansas could do so under federal rules.

Another 24,453 cases were closed as part of DHS’s normal operations, bringing the total closures for the month to 68,838. Among the cases due in May, coverage was renewed for 39,848 beneficiaries.

Arkansas stopped disenrolling most Medicaid beneficiaries after former President Donald Trump on March 18, 2020, signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. It increased federal Medicaid matching funds for states that kept all individual cases active during the public health emergency. The state’s Medicaid rolls rose by 230,000 total during the pandemic.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/dhs-disenrolls-43385-extended-medicaid-recipients-68838-total-in-may/

Dr. Glen Hoffsis named founding dean of A-State’s veterinary school

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

Dr. Glen Hoffsis has been named as the founding dean for Arkansas State University’s upcoming College of Veterinary Medicine, Chancellor Todd Shields said.

Hoffsis has served as dean of two of the nation’s largest vet colleges, Ohio State University and University of Florida, and recently guided the creation of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn.

“We are thrilled that we could bring Dean Hoffsis back into higher education to help guide the launch of our program at Arkansas State,” Shields said. “His reputation as both an academician and veterinary researcher is outstanding, and we are confident his connections and knowledge within the field will be a major asset in our goal of educating more veterinarians for our state and region.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/dr-glen-hoffsis-named-founding-dean-of-a-states-veterinary-school/

Arkansas Medicaid disenrollment jumps to roughly 140,000

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Arkansas’ overall Medicaid enrollment has dropped nearly 15% in two months with about 140,000 people deemed ineligible for coverage since April. A report released Thursday by the state Department of Human Services shows 68,838 people lost coverage in May.

States were not allowed to terminate Medicaid coverage during the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, which ended in May. Arkansas began the process of re-determining eligibility in April, when roughly 72,000 recipients lost coverage.

The largest number of people to lose coverage in May were enrolled in ARHOME, the state's Medicaid expansion program. That was followed by ARKids A, which serves children from the lowest-income families in the state.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-06-08/arkansas-medicaid-disenrollment-jumps-to-roughly-140-000

Daniel Breen/KUAR News

Representatives of the group Arkansas Community Organizations display signs with some of their demands for streamlining the Medicaid redetermination process in front of the Arkansas State Capitol on Thursday.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

One of the pieces of legislation signed into law this year creates Women Veterans Day as a state memorial day to be celebrated on June 12 each year.

Act 115 states Women Veterans Day is acknowledged as an effort to honor the work of women in the United States Armed Forces and recognizes the unique challenges women have faced.

It was on June 12, 1948, when President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948. This act allowed women the right to serve as permanent, regular members of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force. Prior to then, only women nurses could serve in the regular and reserve forces during peacetime.

Though not officially recognized for many years, women have served in America’s wars throughout our history, demonstrating their unwavering commitment, resilience, and courage in defending our nation.

Today, there are almost two million women Veterans in the United States. More than 19,000 women Veterans call Arkansas home. Women make up 8.6% of our Veteran population.

Women are contributing their skills and expertise across all branches of service. They serve as pilots, engineers, doctors, intelligence analysts, and much more.

As we commemorate this day, it is important to not only recognize their contributions but to continue to support and empower them in their transition from military to civilian life. From eliminating taxes on retirement income to cutting red tape for those entering the civilian workforce, the Arkansas General Assembly is continually working on ways to improve the lives of veterans in our state. We’ve posted links to resources available to our veterans at arkansashouse.org.

This June 12, join us in honoring the brave and resilient women who have served our country. Their sacrifices have shaped our history and inspired future generations. Happy Women Veterans Day!

Severe weather and heavy rainfall possibilities for the southern half of Arkansas through Wednesday

A front will be nearly stationary across southern Arkansas through Wednesday. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop near the front, with precipitation concentrated over the southern half of the state.

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

Areas of heavy rain are expected, with two to more than three inch amounts across the southern counties. Given this much rain, there is a possibility of flash flooding.

UAMS Names Michelle Wiles Vice Chancellor of People and Culture

By Yavonda Chase

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) named Michelle Wiles, M.A., as its vice chancellor of the Division of People and Culture. Wiles has been serving in the role in an interim capacity since Feb. 13.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Michelle on our team,” said Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA. “Our employees are what makes UAMS special, and the Division of People and Culture plays a vital role in managing Team UAMS.”

Wiles has 30 years of experience in human resources including in leadership roles at such health care organizations as the Medical University of South Carolina Health System, the University of Maryland Medical System and Bon Secours Baltimore Health System. She has led cultural and strategic transformations and been instrumental in talent planning and development and recruitment as well as operational strategy.

https://news.uams.edu/2023/06/09/uams-names-michelle-wiles-vice-chancellor-of-people-and-culture/

Michelle Wiles, M.A., is the new UAMS vice chancellor of the Division of People and Culture.