The Cooperative Extension Service offers a host of educational programs and services.
If you do not see what you are looking for below, please contact our county Extension
Office for assistance.
Clay County, Arkansas Agriculture Programs
Clay County is a mostly rural county with a diverse amount of agriculture including
row crops and livestock. Agriculture is one of the primary sources of revenue for
Clay County. Crops grown in Clay County include corn, cotton, grain sorghum, wheat,
rice, and soybeans.
Row crop acreage is located on both sides of the county with Crowley's Ridge separating
eastern and western Clay County. Most of the livestock, forage, and hay crops are
grown on Crowley's Ridge.
Row crop acreages for 2023:
- Corn 31,478
- Cotton 43,645
- Grain Sorghum 10
- Wheat 3,114
- Rice 62,198
- Soybeans 111,576
- Cotton
- Feed Grains (Corn, Feed Grains, Wheat)
- Rice
- Soybeans
- Livestock
Photo: Planting Clay County soybean variety plot with local producer, Gary Sheppard.
Clay County, Arkansas Pesticide Applicator Training
Clay County producers rely on data generated by the University of Arkansas, Division
of Agriculture, Research and Extension to use in dealing with pest management. Using
research based information and following Extension recommendations on pest management
and pesticide applications is very important to our producers. Following these recommendations
help them to be productive while avoiding resistance problems to insecticides, herbicides
and fungicides.
2023 Pesticide Applicator Training's will be held in January and February.
The training is now available online. To find additional training opportunities or learn more about pesticide training
and licensing click here.
Need to safely dispose of unwanted pesticides?
The Arkansas Abandoned Pesticide Collection Program is a way for farmers to safely
and properly dispose of old and unwanted pesticides.
See the state wide collection schedule.
"Burn It Down, Clean It Up" is a publication written in part by Clay County Extension
Agent Andy Vangilder and deals with avoiding crop injury due to sprayer contamination.
The publication FSA 2170 can be found here.
Check out the new publication "Tank Clean-Out Recommendations For Common Herbicides" MP532
Photo: Clay County Pesticide Disposal
Clay County Family & Consumer Sciences
Clay County Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Science programs are for residents
of all ages. Our goal is to help individuals and families live well. That includes
managing money, eating better, again well, and getting along in families. Program
areas include:
The Extension Wellness Ambassador Program will be held in May, 2018. The Extension
Wellness Ambassador Program trains Arkansans who want to use their knowledge in service
to others - to improve their own health and the health of their neighbors. Click here for more information about this program.
Photo: Strong Women participants lifting hand weights.
Clay County Extension Homemaker Clubs
Clay County has five active clubs:
- Progressive Union
- Piggott Nite Lites
- Piggott Hayes
- Fairview
- Boydsville
EHC members promote leadership development, volunteering, community service and the
life long habit of learning. For information about an Extension Homemaker Club in
your area call Christin Holmes at 870-598-2246 or email cholmes@uada.edu.
Photo: Clay Extension Homemakers celebrating 100 years in Arkansas.
Clay County 4-H Clubs
If you are a youth living in Clay County, 4-H has something for you! Community clubs
include: Cougars 4-H Club in Rector, Cloverleaf 4-H Club in Corning, and The Mighty
Razorback 4-H Club in Piggott. We also have project and special interest clubs such
as a teen leaders, homeschool club, and a livestock project group. We have other developing
clubs as well. Through 4-H there are many projects to explore, such as:
- Animal science
- Families
- Health and Well-Being
- Plant Science
- Personal Development
- Science and Technology
These projects are vast, with many differing topics under each heading. These projects
help youth set goals, keep records, and learn to exhibit and communicate about their
work.
4-H Clubs in Clay County are very active groups. Not only do the clubs have monthly
meetings, they also have many yearly activities including:
- ATV Safety Riders Course
- Talent and Fashion Review
- Poultry Chain
- Fall Fun Night
- County, District and State O-Rama (Competition)
- Terrific Tuesdays Summer Program
- Conservation Day Trips
- Poster/Photography Competitions
Through these activities in Clay County youth design and participate in their own
projects and activities. This unique, learn-by-doing model teaches kids essential,
transferable skills that they'll use throughout their lives, such as problem solving,
decision making, coping, communicating and responding to the needs of others.
For more information about Clay County 4-H, find us on Facebook or register for a
club in your area!
Go here to register for 4-H or 4-H events.