Extension Educational Programs & Services
Clay County, Arkansas

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 2022:

• Corn 31,478
• Cotton 43,645
• Grain Sorghum 10
• Wheat 3,114
• Rice 62,198
• Soybeans 111,576

• Cotton 
  • 2020 Cotton Variety Trial
  • 2021 Cotton Variety Trial
  • 2022 Cotton Variety Trial
• Feed Grains (Corn, Feed Grains, Wheat)
  • 2019 Eastern Clay County Hybrid Trial Cagle Farm
  • 2019 Western Clay County Hybrid Trial Brown Farm
  • 2020 Eastern Clay County Hybrid Trial Brock Russell
  • 2020 Western Clay County Hybrid Trial Zack Brown
  • 2021 Eastern Clay County Hybrid Trial Woolverton Farm
  • 2021 Western Clay County Hybrid Trial Zack Brown
  • 2022 Eastern Clay County Corn Hybrid Trial Vance Whaley
  • 2022 Western Clay County Corn Hybrid Trial Chad Price Farm
• Rice
  • 2020 Commercial Rice Trial
  • 2021 Commercial Rice Trial Bowers Farm
  • 2022 Arkansas Rice Performance Trial Bowers Farm
• Soybeans 
  • 2020 Soybean Variety Trial Eric Scott 
  • 2020 Soybean Variety Trial David Herring 
  • 2021 Soybean Variety Trial Brock Russell
  • 2021 Soybean Variety Trial Jeff Brewer
  • 2021 Soybean Variety Trial Mark Ahrent
  • 2022 Soybean Variety Trial Mike Vowell
  • 2022 Soybean Variety Trial Cody Taylor
• 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:

• Learn more about Living Well 
• Learn more about Managing Well 
• Learn more about Eating Well
• Learn more about Aging Well

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.

• Learn more about Clay County EHC
• 2018 EHS Fun and Learn Days

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.