Extension Educational Programs & Services
Cross County, Arkansas
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.
Agriculture
- Row Crop (for more information contact Rick Wimberley)
- Diagnostic Services
- Free soil sample testing
- Nematode testing
- Weed, insect and disease identification
- Pest control recommendations for pests identified
- Plant Tissue Analysis
- Poultry Litter Analysis
- Irrigation Water Analysis
- Crop Updates Arkansas Row Crops blog (http://www.arkansas-crops.com).
- Variety Selection
- Irrigation Management
- Verification Programs – Rice, Soybean, Wheat, Corn, Grain Sorghum, Cotton
During 2012 both rice and soybean research verification fields
were conducted on the Darrell Walker farm and the Junior Newman farm respectively.
During the past several years corn and wheat verification fields have also been utilized
to assist producers in fine-tuning their production practices to maximize yields and
profits.
- Discovery Farms
Two Arkansas Discovery Farms are located in Cross County where water quality
research is being conducted. The Mike Wood farm and the Danny and Matt Clements farm,
both in Cherry Valley, are the test sites. A total of six Discovery Farm sites are
currently established at five different locations around the state. Production systems
selected for study are both crop and livestock based and represent the diversity of
Arkansas agriculture. The overarching goal of the Discovery Farm program is to determine
the effectiveness of water and soil conservation practices utilized on working farms.
At each site, conservation practices selected for evaluation are based upon the interests
and wishes of the farm owner and may coincide with regional water or soil quality
issues common to many producers in the area. Research is coordinated by faculty from
the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and is conducted in collaboration
with federal and state agencies promoting conservation of our natural resources.
The Arkansas Discovery Farm Program is supported by a host of sponsors and industry
stakeholders who ensure research addresses the needs of Arkansas farmers in a proactive
manner. Discovery Farms are designed to operate for five to seven years during which
time water quality analysis and data reveal the effectiveness of conservation practices
employed at each site.
- Production Meetings

The 2013 East Arkansas AgriExpo was held during the winter at the
Technology Center of the Delta with the coordination of the Cross County Extension
Service and the Cross County Chamber of Commerce. Morning educational session on the
current recommendations for effecient and profitable production of rice and soybeans
were conducted along with ag business exhibits. Over 100 producers attended the event
which another session being planned for 2014. A separate corn/grain sorghum production
meeting on the current recommendations was also conducted with 25 participants.
- Pesticide Applicator Training
Classes are held twice a year for certification and re-certification
of agriculture producers for training in order to be eligible to purchase restricted
use pesticides for use on their agricultural commodities.
- Livestock and Pastures
- Livestock & Pasture Updates @ https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/animals-forages/
- Diagnostic Services
- Manure for Fertilizer Value
- Feed Analysis
- Free soil sample testing
- Weed, insect and disease identification
- Pest control recommendations for pests identified
- Brucellosis vaccination scheduling
- Lawn & Garden (for more information contact Richard Klerk)
- Diagnostic Services
- Free soil sample testing
- Weed, insect and disease identification
- Pest control recommendations for pests identified
- Production information for wide variety of fruits and vegetables
- Educational programs on topics as requested
- Master Gardeners

Serving the residents of Cross County through educational and
beautification activities are the goals of the 16 volunteers that volunteer their
time and talents for the Master Gardener program. The recent "Planting Your Bloomers"
seminar attracted over 90 participants who learned gardening techniques from a variety
of speakers. The Master Gardeners also work on projects like establishing and maintaining
a butterfly garden at the Parkin Archeological State Park, the Cross County Health
Department building, the Three County Fairgrounds in McCrory and the Cross County
Library. They also assist with school programs presented to third graders at the Wynne
Intermediate School.
- Farmers' Market

The Cross County Extension Service oversees the operation of the Cross County Farmers'
Market that is located on the north lawn of the Cross County Courthouse (Falls Blvd.
and Union Ave.). The market is open from late May until October with 30 vendors. Days
of operation are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7:00 am until 10:00 am or
until sold out. A wide variety of primarily locally grown vegetables, fruits and homemade
crafts are sold at the market. There are no fees but registration is required. Most vendors accept WIC FMNP coupons. Cottage food industry items such as bakery
products, candy, fruit butter, jams and jellies are also available.

Family & Consumer Sciences (for more information contact Leigh Ann Bullington)
Family and Consumer Sciences, known as FCS, was founded in Home Economics. Today the
program provides researched based information focusing on the way humans relate to
their environment and enhancing the quality of life through education. Programs focus
on the home, food, finances, and raising responsible children. Learning how to live
well is the emphasis of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programs.
FCS educational areas and programs include:
Food and Nutrition
- Cooking Schools
- Living Well with Diabetes
- ServSafe
- Food Preservation Workshops
- SNAP-Education
Marriage, Parenting, and Family Life
- The Best Care
- Navigating Life's Journey
- Guiding Children Successfully
- See the World Through My Eyes
- The Parenting Journey
- The Personal Journey
- The Marriage Garden
- Getting Your Heart Right
Family Resource Management
- Arkansas Saves
- Financial Management Education
- Get Real Here's the Deal
- Smart Start for Newly Weds
- Small Steps to Health and Wealth
Health and Aging
- Aging In Place
- AgrAbility
- Walk Across Arkansas
- Small Steps to Health and Wealth
- Be Med Wise
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
- Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Leadership
- Extension Homemakers Clubs
4-H Youth Development (for more information contact Linda Stegall)

Cross County 4-H provides opportunities for youth from the ages of 5 to 19 to acquire
knowledge, develop life skills, form attitudes, and practice behavior that will enable
them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. Currently
over 50 youth are enrolled in 4-H clubs and youth participate in educational workshops,
trips and competitive activities throughout the year. Helping with fund raising and
gaining experiences in food safety and handling were obtained by 4-H members participating
in the 36th annual Omelet Day event.
Events conducted at the county level include Fashion Revue and Modeling, Talent, Illustrated
Talks and Method Demonstrations, Bicycle, Bait Casting, BB-Gun shooting, Poultry BBQ,
Crop and Weed Identification, and Ornamental Horticulture plant identification. State
level activities include Ross Photography contest, giant pumpkin and watermelon growing
contest, raising chicks for Poultry chain program. Educational activities include
jelly making workshop, national science day activity, plant propagation workshop,
and workshops on giving speeches and preparing record books. Youth also participate
in county, district and state fairs. They provide service to their communities by
assisting with rabies clinic, visiting nursing homes and conducting food drives. They
develop leadership skills by becoming club officers, and organizing various events.
Economic & Community Development (for more information contact Rick Wimberley)
- Leadership Development
- Ballot Issues
***END OF OU MIGRATED CONTENT***
Cross Programs

Agriculture
- Row Crop (for more information contact Rick Wimberley)
- Diagnostic Services
- Free soil sample testing
- Nematode testing
- Weed, insect and disease identification
- Pest control recommendations for pests identified
- Plant Tissue Analysis
- Poultry Litter Analysis
- Irrigation Water Analysis
- Crop Updates Arkansas Row Crops blog (http://www.arkansas-crops.com).
- Variety Selection
- Irrigation Management
- Verification Programs – Rice, Soybean, Wheat, Corn, Grain Sorghum, Cotton
During 2012 both rice and soybean research verification fields were conducted on the
Darrell Walker farm and the Junior Newman farm respectively. During the past several
years corn and wheat verification fields have also been utilized to assist producers
in fine-tuning their production practices to maximize yields and profits.
- Discovery Farms
Two Arkansas Discovery Farms are located in Cross County where water quality research
is being conducted. The Mike Wood farm and the Danny and Matt Clements farm, both
in Cherry Valley, are the test sites. A total of six Discovery Farm sites are currently
established at five different locations around the state. Production systems selected
for study are both crop and livestock based and represent the diversity of Arkansas
agriculture. The overarching goal of the Discovery Farm program is to determine the
effectiveness of water and soil conservation practices utilized on working farms.
At each site, conservation practices selected for evaluation are based upon the interests and
wishes of the farm owner and may coincide with regional water or soil quality issues
common to many producers in the area. Research is coordinated by faculty from the
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and is conducted in collaboration with
federal and state agencies promoting conservation of our natural resources.
The Arkansas Discovery Farm Program is supported by a host of sponsors and industry
stakeholders who ensure research addresses the needs of Arkansas farmers in a
proactive manner. Discovery Farms are designed to operate for five to seven years
during which time water quality analysis and data reveal the effectiveness of conservation
practices employed at each site.
- Production Meetings
The 2013 East Arkansas AgriExpo was held during the winter at the Technology Center
of the Delta with the coordination of the Cross County Extension Service and the Cross
County Chamber of Commerce. Morning educational session on the current recommendations
for efficient and profitable production of rice and soybeans were conducted along
with ag business exhibits. Over 100 producers attended the event which another session
being planned for 2014. A separate corn/grain sorghum production meeting on the current
recommendations was also conducted with 25 participants.
- Pesticide Applicator Training
Classes are held twice a year for certification and re-certification of agriculture
producers for training in order to be eligible to purchase restricted use pesticides
for use on their agricultural commodities.
- Livestock and Pastures
- Livestock & Pasture Updates @ https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/animals-forages/
- Diagnostic Services
-
- Manure for Fertilizer Value
- Feed Analysis
- Free soil sample testing
- Weed, insect and disease identification
- Pest control recommendations for pests identified
- Brucellosis vaccination scheduling

- Lawn & Garden (for more information contact Richard Klerk)
- Diagnostic Services
-
- Free soil sample testing
- Weed, insect and disease identification
- Pest control recommendations for pests identified
- Production information for wide variety of fruits and vegetables
- Educational programs on topics as requested
- Master Gardeners
Serving the residents of Cross County through educational and beautification activities
are the goals of the 16 volunteers that volunteer their time and talents for the Master
Gardener program. The recent "Planting Your Bloomers" seminar attracted over 90 participants
who learned gardening techniques from a variety of speakers. The Master Gardeners
also work on projects like establishing and maintaining a butterfly garden at the
Parkin Archeological State Park, the Cross County Health Department building, the
Three County Fairgrounds in McCrory and the Cross County Library. They also assist
with school programs presented to third graders at the Wynne Intermediate School.
Farmers' Market
The Cross County Extension Service oversees the operation of the Cross County Farmers'
Market that is located on the north lawn of the Cross County Courthouse (Falls Blvd.
and Union Ave.). The market is open from late May until October with 30 vendors. Days of
operation are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7:00 am until 10:00 am or until
sold out. A wide variety of primarily locally grown vegetables, fruits and homemade crafts
are sold at the market. There are no fees but
registration is required. Most vendors accept WIC FMNP coupons. Cottage food industry items such as bakery products,
candy, fruit butter, jams and jellies are also available.
Family & Consumer Sciences (for more information contact Leigh Ann Bullington)
Family and Consumer Sciences, known as FCS, was founded in Home Economics. Today the program
provides researched based information focusing on the way humans relate to their
environment and enhancing the quality of life through education. Programs focus on
the home, food, finances, and raising responsible children. Learning how to live well
is the emphasis of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programs.
FCS educational areas and programs include:
Food and Nutrition
- Cooking Schools
- Living Well with Diabetes
- ServSafe
- Food Preservation Workshops
- SNAP-Education
Marriage, Parenting, and Family Life
- The Best Care
- Navigating Life's Journey
- Guiding Children Successfully
- See the World Through My Eyes
- The Parenting Journey
- The Personal Journey
- The Marriage Garden
- Getting Your Heart Right
Family Resource Management
- Arkansas Saves
- Financial Management Education
- Get Real Here's the Deal
- Smart Start for Newly Weds
- Small Steps to Health and Wealth
Health and Aging
- Aging In Place
- AgrAbility
- Walk Across Arkansas
- Small Steps to Health and Wealth
- Be Med Wise
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
- Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Leadership
- Extension Homemakers Clubs

4-H Youth Development (for more information contact Linda Stegall)
Cross County 4-H provides opportunities for youth from the ages of 5 to 19 to acquire
knowledge, develop life skills, form attitudes, and practice behavior that will enable them
to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. Currently over
50 youth are enrolled in 4-H clubs and youth participate in educational workshops, trips
and competitive activities throughout the year. Helping with fund raising and gaining
experiences in food safety and handling were obtained by 4-H members participating in
the 36th annual Omelet Day event.
Events conducted at the county level include Fashion Revue and Modeling, Talent, Illustrated Talks
and Method Demonstrations, Bicycle, Bait Casting, BB-Gun shooting, Poultry BBQ, Crop
and Weed Identification, and Ornamental Horticulture plant identification. State
level activities include Ross Photography contest, giant pumpkin and watermelon growing
contest, raising chicks for Poultry chain program. Educational activities include jelly
making workshop, national science day activity, plant propagation workshop, and workshops
on giving speeches and preparing record books. Youth also participate in county, district
and state fairs. They provide service to their communities by assisting with rabies
clinic, visiting nursing homes and conducting food drives. They develop leadership
skills by becoming club officers, and organizing various events.
Economic & Community Development (for more information contact Rick Wimberley)
- Leadership Development
- Ballot Issues