Arkansas Discovery Farms program recognized for excellence among Southern states
Aug. 29, 2025
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Program monitors environmental impact, promotes sustainable farming
- Team includes experts from UA System Division of Agriculture, UA-Pine Bluff
- Program fosters strong collaborations with industry, government, farmers
(796 words)
(Newsrooms: Team photo, https://flic.kr/p/2roEzHe
LITTLE ROCK — Agricultural producers in Arkansas are under increasing scrutiny to minimize impacts on natural resources and to improve sustainability of the agricultural supply chain. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture helps producers do just that through its Arkansas Discovery Farms Program.
The Discovery Farms team documents water quality, soil health, climate effects and resource use in research at 18 private farms across the state’s diverse agricultural sectors. The team also provides demonstrations and educational outreach to promote sustainable farming.
“The overall goal of the program is to document sustainable and viable farming systems that remain cost-effective in an environmentally sound manner,” said Mike Daniels, distinguished professor in the crop, soil and environmental sciences department at the University of Arkansas.
Examples of climate change parameters the Discovery Farms team monitors in the network of private, working farms includes greenhouse gases and soil carbon in poultry, livestock, row crops, forestry and horticulture operations.
At each site, Daniels said the team evaluates conservation practices based on the farm owner’s priorities, which often coincide with regional water or soil quality issues common to many producers in the area. Faculty from the Cooperative Extension Service and Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the Division of Agriculture’s outreach and research arms, collaborate with federal and state agencies promoting conservation of natural resources.
“In essence, the program uses research tools and equipment installed on private farms to conduct routine monitoring to help producers assess and improve their use of natural resources by using an age-old, time-proven extension technique of working directly with farmers on their land,” Daniels said.
The team — made up of faculty and staff from the Division of Agriculture and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff — recently received the Excellence in Extension Team Award from the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors. The award was presented Aug. 19 at the association’s annual meeting in Atlanta. The association includes extension directors from 13 southern states and two territories — Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
“Through cutting-edge monitoring tools and extensive outreach, the Arkansas Discovery Farms program demonstrates how sustainable agriculture benefits both the environment and the economy, positioning Arkansas as a leader in conservation and agricultural resilience,” said Rich Bonanno, executive director of the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors.
Positive impacts
Water quality monitoring over the past 15 years indicates that less than 5 percent of nitrogen and phosphorus applied as fertilizer or manure is recovered in edge-of-field water runoff.
“By quantifying runoff volume, we have been able to demonstrate that improved irrigation water management can increase irrigation water remaining in the field from 60 percent to 90 percent,” Daniels said.
The Arkansas Discovery Farms team shares its findings through virtual field trips that have educated thousands of farmers, students and policymakers, said John D. Anderson, senior associate vice president for agriculture for the division and director of the Cooperative Extension Service.
“We’re proud of the collaborative work we’re doing with Arkansas farmers,” Anderson said. “Being good stewards of our natural resources while ensuring sustainability of our state’s top industry benefits everyone.”
As part of the program, a Discovery Farms Education Center on the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff farm adjacent to campus will give students hands-on experience in monitoring the impact of soil and water conservation on natural resources.
The Arkansas Discovery Farms team includes the following people:
- Mike Daniels — Distinguished professor of crop, soil and environmental sciences and Discovery Farms co-leader, UADA
- Kris Brye — University professor of applied soil physics and pedology in crop, soil and environmental sciences, UADA and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas
- Trent Roberts — Endowed chair in soil fertility research and professor in crop, soil and environmental sciences, UADA and Bumpers College
- Amanda McWhirt — Extension fruit and vegetable horticulture specialist, UADA
- Bronc Fitch — Extension soil fertility specialist, UADA
- Mike Hamilton — Extension irrigation educator, UADA
- Jared Rushing — Extension forestry instructor, UADA
- Julie Robinson — Professor of community, professional and economic development, UADA
- Shannon Speir – Assistant professor of water quality, Bumpers College and UADA
- Tomeika White —Researcher and UAPB Discovery Farms Educational Center lead
To date, the Arkansas Discovery Farms program has received more than $12 million in grant funding, contracts and gifts from 23 funding partners including state and national commodity boards, USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA-National Resources Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Agency, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy.
To learn about the Discovery Farms Program, visit https://aaes.uada.edu/centers-and-programs/discovery-farm-program/. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact: Tracy Courage
Director of Communications-Extension
U of A System Division of Agriculture
501-658-2044