UACES Facebook Miller County, Arkansas Extension Programs
skip to main content

Extension Educational Programs & Services

Miller 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 and Natural Resources

From Beef and Forages to Row Crops to Vegetable Gardening and Lawn Care to Plant Diseases

Whether you have a large farm or a small home garden, the Miller County Extension Staff can assist you with your concerns. We offer a wide variety of education programs from beef and forage production to row crops to vegetable gardening and lawn care. Contact Jennifer Caraway, Miller County Extension Agriculture Agent/Staff Chair for research-based information on agriculture and home horticulture programs. 

Our annual Ag Expo will be ehdl February 9, 2023 at the Four States Fairground Entertainment Center. Classes will be held all day so come for the day or stop by for the classes that interest you. Classes are free. If you need to renew a pesticide applicator license or need one for the first time, this training will be held at 1:00 p.m. Cost is $20 for the training (cash, check or money order) AND $45 (check or money order payable to "Arkansas State Plant Board"), which is valid for 5 years.

Ag Expo Agenda

Ag Expo Vendor Letter

Ag Expo Participation Contract

 

 Master Gardener logo with a garden background


Mark your calendar

The Miller County Master Gardeners are accepting applications for their 2022 Fall Basic Training On-Line Training. Classes are scheduled for October 5th and 19th, November 2nd, 9th, and 16th, 2022.  Deadline for applying is September 23, 2022 (no applications will be accepted after that date). Please remit your training fee of $125 along with the application.   

GET YOUR MG APPLICATION HERE


Pesticide Applicator Training

We are excited to announce that the online recertification program for private applicators is up and running. You can access it here: www.uaex.uada.edu/pat 

This online training provides another opportunity for private applicators to get recertified. The online training is not designed for people that need to get their license for the first time – they still need to see us for that.

The online program has 5 different required modules with embedded questions in each that must be answered correctly in order to proceed. You cannot fast forward through the training or skip slides, but you can back-up to review information for the embedded questions. It should take a little over 2 hours to complete.

We have done our best to make the program interesting, informative, and the process self-explanatory for the user.  It is based on the platform we have used for the dicamba training the past two years, so it should work fairly smoothly.

The cost of the training is $20 and you pay online. 

If you are in need of a new chemical license, click below to see what is available in our county as well as other counties within the state of Arkansas. There is also a waiting list section; if we get enough interest in a training, one may be held in our county.

PAT

 

pecan branch with red circle showing how to take samples

Now is the time to pull plant tissue nutrient samples for pecans. These results are important for growers to determine fertility rates for next year and to identify if any deficiencies may be developing.

Cost is $20 per sample + $5 shipping.

See PowerPoint with photos on how to pull the samples. Last year we were able to get over 24 pecan growers to submit samples. These samples help us compare this year's results to see how things have changed.

The time to submit samples is now.

Click HERE for information on how to submit pecan tissue.

 

 The new Arkansas Farm Animal Veterinarian Directory is now available.  This directory is based on a veterinary survey conducted in March. To any veterinarians that did not turn in their survey and would like to be included, please contact Heidi Ward, DVM, PhD, Assistant Professor and Veterinarian with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (501-671-2162) directly.  Paper copies will be available at the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association Convention at the end of August for producers.  

Skunks and bats are the main reservoirs for rabies in our state. We have had two horses positive for rabies this year.  Last year, we had a positive cow. View the map below and click the What is Rabies? to read more about rabies.

Rabies Cases

 

Accurate estimation of cotton yield while in the field is an important skill for growers, consultants, and Extension agents. Preharvest estimation of cotton yield can help growers to determine their return on investment, assess weather-related damages, and adjust crop management. Although experienced eyes can provide a rough estimate by simply scanning the field, taking a few simple in-field measurements can reduce inaccuracies. This publication will outline the steps to calculate a reliable estimate of cotton yield. From University of Florida.
 

 

Family and Consumer Sciences

From Healthy Cooking to Food Safety; from Diabetic Cooking to Professional Child Care Training and Much More

From canning to nutrition to food safety, all of these topics, and many more, are addressed through the family and consumer science educational programs. Contact Varonica Kennedy, Miller County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent for more information.

We have scheduled a ServSafe Food Safety Training for May 18 & 19, 2022. Space is limited so if you are interested in this training, please fill out the form below and mail it, along with your check, to 1007 Jefferson Avenue, Texarkana AR 71854 or call us at 870-779-3609. If you need to retest, you may attend the entire two-day training or you may attend the second date (May 19) to retest. Cost of retesting is $60 whether you attend both days or only one. Simply choose the $60 option on the form. Registration (with payment) must be in by May 11. After registering, you may pick up your study guide to begin studying. 

Sign Up for ServSafe Here

ServSafe Food Safety Training

 

With our social distancing, many will spend time cleaning out their pantries and refrigerators. This research-based chart helps you know the life span of various types of pantry and food items we keep in our kitchens.

STORAGE GUIDELINES

Miller County EFNEP PA teaches Hempstead County PA the ropes

Hempstead County new EFNEP (Expanded Foods & Nutrition Education Program) Program Assistant, Amy McClane shadows Miller County Program Assistant, Casey Battles, while teaching her Kids in the Kitchen Protein lesson and Yoga for Kids. Amy stated, "I learned so much and had a great time. The training collaboration among counties is wonderful. Miller County Extension Office was very welcoming and supportive. My training will soon be complete, and I look forward to applying the newly acquired skills to good use for the benefit of my community members." Learn more about the EFNEP Program by calling 870-779-3609 

Miller County 4-H

Fun and Education for Youth Ages 9-19 or for Cloverbuds, Ages 5-8

4-H is a fun and educational program where kids "learn by doing." It is a great opportunity for youth to acquire knowledge and skills, and develop healthy lifestyles that will be beneficial for the rest of their lives. In Miller County it takes the form of community clubs, project clubs, and in-school clubs. 

Anyone age 9-19 can join 4-H or we have Cloverbud activities for youth ages 5-8. So come join the fun. There are many project areas and we can find one just for you! Be sure to let McKenzie know if there is anything you need help with. Call her at 870-779-3609 or email mrigdon@uada.edu

Heading Content
Youth Livestock Judging Camp
Mark Your Calendar for the University Judging Camp June 29-July 1, 2022. Wednesday-Thursday: Regular Camp. Friday Livestock Judging Contest
The methods of instruction will include lecture, demonstration, hands-on experience, one-on-one coaching and critiquing, and question and answer sessions.

17th Annual University of Arkansas Animal Science Youth Livestock Judging Camp will be conducted at the Pauline Whitaker Aniamal Science Arena in Fayetteville on June 29 - July 1, 2022. Open to youth ages 9 and up with participation limited to 100.

Methods of instruction includes lecture, demonstration, hands-on experience, one-on-one coaching and critiquing, and question and answer sessions. Each participant will prepare and present several sets of oral reasons. Groups will be divided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. 

Learn More & Register for Youth Livestock Judging Camp

Keep Arkansas Beautiful Community Service
Right Image with Caption Size-30
Miller County 4-H Cleanup Day, April 22 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. at the Miller County Fairgrounds. Photo of person with rich soil in their hand with a seedling growing
Join us for Keep Arkansas Beautiful - a day dedicated to beautifying the state we love.

Community Service is one of the arenas in which 4-H excels and we have a great opportunity for you. On April 22, 2022, we will meet at the Miller County Fairgrounds in Fouke and work from 3:30-5:00 p.m.

STAR Camp
Left Image with Caption Size-40
2022 4-H STAR CAMP Outdoor Adventure. Open to ages 9-19 - June 21-23 - $100 per camper at Timber Lodge Range, Amity, Arkansas.
Fun While Learning. This 3 day camp offers summer fun while learning.

If you've never attended this camp in Amity Arkansas, you have missed out. There is lots of fun, all while learning interesting things. Registration is due in our office by May 6 with the camp taking place on June 21-23, 2022. 

August 18 - Deadline for County Exhibits registration

August 19 - Four States Livestock registration due

September 15 - State Fair registration due

Septembere 18 - District Livestock registration due

September 21-24 - Miller County Fair

September 22 - All other district exhibits registration due

September 27-October 1 - SW District Fair

October 2-5 - Arkansas Youth Expo

October 8-23 - Arkansas State Fair

September 9-17 - Four States Fair https://www.fourstatesfair.com/p/info/premiumbook 

September 21-24 - Miller County Fair

September 27-October 1 - SW District Fair http://www.southwestarkansasdistrictlivestockshow.com/fair-online-entries.html 

October 8-23 - Arkansas State Fair

Top