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.
Timely tips for the Arkansas home gardener.
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!
by Laura Hendrix - July 11, 2017
What would you do with $1,000 free and clear? While you’d think the first instinct might be to run to Vegas, two thirds of U.S. adults would put $1,000 they got ‘free and clear’ today into savings, while over a quarter (28%) would pay down debt - only 2% would use it to splurge on something; according to a recent survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education.
Tax season is the time when many people can expect $1,000 (or more) free and clear. The average refund last year was $2,797 and 70% of filers received refunds. Here are three ways to make the most of your tax refund savings:
1. Save for a rainy day. It's always helpful to have a savings account to draw from when a major car repair bill, medical emergency or other unexpected expense comes along. That way, you don't have to borrow money and add to your debtload. Personal finance experts recommend that consumers save enough to cover at least 2 – 6 months of expenses. A tax refund can be a giant step toward reaching the savings goal for your emergency fund. Make saving easy. Use IRS Form 8888 to direct deposit part of all of your tax refund into up to three bank or credit union accounts
2. Pay down debt. Use at least part of your refund to make additional payments on any debt that you owe. Get those pesky payments off your back and save money on interest. Pay off or decrease credit card debt. For example, a $3,000 balance at 14.4% with a minimum monthly payment of $90 would take 11 year to pay off and cost more than $1,000 in interest charges. Paying down debt frees up breathing room in your monthly budget.
3. Save at least $50 and qualify to enter the Save Your Refund contest. There are weekly prize drawings and a grand prize of $25,000. Sign up at www.saveyourrefund.com. Save Your Refund is a promotional campaign sponsored and funded by two nonprofit organizations - America Saves and Doorways to Dreams. The purpose of the Save Your Refund campaign is to inspire tax filers to save all or part of their refund.