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!
Rules to help keep your child safe if they have to be at home after school by themselves.
Nashville, Ark. – Think raising kids is hard? Try leaving them alone in your house – completely unsupervised – for a few hours. Terror knows no bounds.
With the start of school, your children may be staying by themselves for a few minutes or a couple of hours before you get home from work. Don’t worry! This is a common practice for lots of parents. And there are millions of homes still standing and safe, happy children inside when Mom and Dad do arrive. You can tame the fear and turn what could be a stressful situation into a positive experience for both you and your children.
Start by preparing your kids and mapping out your expectations of how they should handle their time alone. Sit down together and discuss the rules. While rules can be flexible and should meet your situation, here are some to consider.
Talk to your kids about who is allowed to come in the house while you are away. This could be grandparents, an aunt or uncle, or a trusted neighbor. Otherwise, explain that they should not answer the door to anyone else.
Emergencies could happen. Teach them how and when to call 911. Of course, stress to them they should also call you in the event of an emergency.
Kids who learn to entertain themselves are more creative and capable of problem solving. Another plus, being at home by themselves can build independence and bolster self-esteem.
It goes without saying, consider the age of the child. Kindergarten children do not need to be left alone at home. However, most eleven-year-olds and older can handle the added responsibility. As a parent, you know your child and what they are capable of.
Finally, there are some great after school programs to get involved with. 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. There are several 4-H Clubs and activities that meet after school. 4-H programs are educational, build leadership skills and provide opportunities for youth to give back to their community through service projects. Call the Howard County Extension Service if you are interested in learning more about 4-H. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Try these recipes for great after school snacks. They are easy-to-make and are nutritious. Make the granola bars on the weekend and enjoy as an after-school snack or a quick breakfast.
1 whole grain tortilla
1 ½ Tablespoons peanut butter
½ to 1 cup sliced fruit (any kind-apples, bananas, pears, grapes, etc.)
2 cups rolled oats
¾ cup dried blueberries (or any other dried fruit)
1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
¼ cup + 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
¼ cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Wash hands. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Grease an 8x8-inch square pan with cooking spray, and line with parchment paper if desired.
Combine oats, blueberries, and brown sugar in a large bowl.
Add oil, honey, and vanilla extract and stir until evenly combined.
Pour mixture into pan and press with a spatula to flatten.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until lightly golden and crisp to the touch.
Allow to cool completely in pan and then cut into 12 equal-sized bars.
Yield: 12 bars
Nutrition information per serving: 160 calories, 7 g fat, 2 g protein, 24 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 0 mg sodium
By Jean Ince County Extension Agent - Staff ChairThe Cooperative Extension ServiceU of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Jean Ince County Extension Agent - Staff ChairU of A Division of AgricultureCooperative Extension Service421 N. Main St, Nashville AR 71852 (870) 845-7517 jince@uada.edu
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.