Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds.
Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy.
Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages.
Scheduling and methods of irrigation.
Explore our Extension locations around the state.
Commercial row crop production in Arkansas.
Agriculture weed management resources.
Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches.
Learn to ID forages and more.
Explore our research locations around the state.
Get the latest research results from our county agents.
Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation.
Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster.
Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education.
Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture.
Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills.
Creating beauty in and around the home.
Maintenance calendar, and best practices.
Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini.
What’s wrong with my plants? The clinic can help.
Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.
Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions.
Enjoying the sweet fruits of your labor.
Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA.
Growing together from youth to maturity.
Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases.
Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information.
Grow a pollinator-friendly garden.
Schedule these timely events on your gardening calendar.
Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions.
Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures.
Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit.
Position your business to compete for government contracts.
Find trends, opportunities and impacts.
Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues.
Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved.
Research-based connection to government and policy issues.
Support Arkansas local food initiatives.
Read about our efforts.
Preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals.
Preserving water quality and quantity.
Cleaner air for healthier living.
Firewood & bioenergy resources.
Managing a complex forest ecosystem.
Read about nature across Arkansas and the U.S.
Learn to manage wildlife on your land.
Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas.
Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors.
Timely updates from our specialists.
Eating right and staying healthy.
Ensuring safe meals.
Take charge of your well-being.
Cooking with Arkansas foods.
Making the most of your money.
Making sound choices for families and ourselves.
Nurturing our future.
Get tips for food, fitness, finance, and more!
Understanding aging and its effects.
Giving back to the community.
Managing safely when disaster strikes.
Listen to our latest episode!
Lisa DavisProgram Associate-LeadershipPhone: 501-519-5472Email: ldavis@uada.edu
by Lisa Davis - March 15, 2021
Let’s meet another member of LeadAR Class 19 — Brittany Schmidt.
Brittany Schmidt is the county executive director of the Lawrence County Farm Service Agency and a rice farmer in northeast Arkansas. She is the president of the Lawrence County School District School Board and the advisor of the Junior Auxiliary of Lawrence County Crown Club. She enjoys being on the farm, any activity her daughter is participating in, and Arkansas Razorbacks football, basketball, and baseball.
We asked her to respond to the following questions.
How can effective leadership help move the state of Arkansas forward?
Effective leadership can always move anything forward, not just a state or city. Currently with the health crisis we are experiencing due to COVID our state is in a critical position not only health wise, but financially. There are never easy solutions, but our leaders must work together so that life and economic loss is as minimal as possible.
Why did you apply to the LeadAR program? What motivated you?
After talking with friends who were in the last class about what a great experience they had and wanting to learn practices that I could bring back to my community to help.
What leadership quality do you admire most in others? Why?
Patience, because I do not have that quality.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Why is this surprising?
That I cannot shoot a gun. It is surprising because I was raised on the farm; my dad is an avid hunter. I was an athlete, somewhat a tomboy growing up, and would even go hunting, but just never learned how to shoot.
What are your top three ingredients necessary for success?
Determination, confidence and communication
What are your top three ingredients necessary for happiness?
Health, family, peace of mind
Describe your personal leadership style.
I would say it would be more a contingency theory, in that I adapt to my style based on the situation and personality types involved. I often think of leadership much like coaching. A successful coach knows how to pull the strengths out of each player my using the correct approach with each individual, even if it is different from person to person.
What is something you hope to gain from your LeadAR experience?
I hope to gain knowledge and practices that I can bring back to community to help better it.
You are stranded on a desert island. What are your three MUST HAVE items?
My daughter, my phone, Wi-Fi
What is something that was difficult for you six months ago but easy for you now?
Finding time for myself during the day. I began several months back taking an hour a day to exercise and just unplug while doing so.
What else do you want others to know about you?
That I am unconditionally loyal.