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!
Fast facts
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It could be called “Everything You Wanted to Know about Sustainable Strawberries but Were Afraid to Ask,” but this e-book’s secrets can be now be revealed though a single download.
The e-book was grown from the minds behind the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative, also known as NSSI. Its 60 digital pages are overflowing with content and links to more than 70 videos, tools and publications created to improve the sustainability of U.S. strawberry production.
NSSI was created in 2013 by a $3 million donation by the Walmart Foundation to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The foundation donated another $1.05 million in 2014 to move research from concept to reality. The e-book is a summary of the project’s accomplishments so far.
“Moving the Needle: Accomplishments of the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative 2013-2014,” can be downloaded at http://strawberry.uark.edu/nssiweb.pdf.
“This book distills the creativity and hard work that were part of 20 sustainability research projects by universities in 13 states,” said NSSI Program Director Curt Rom. “With strawberries being one of America’s most sought-after fresh fruit, this research will help expand where and when the fruit can be grown. This resource really will help people and does indeed move the needle on strawberry sustainability."
“We believe this research will expand access to fresh fruit, enhance local economies through individual farms, and in short, help people live better,” said NSSI Co-Director Ron Rainey.
Rom is a horticulture professor and Rainey is a professor and extension economist.
Among the book’s features are links to:
The projects funded for the second phase of the NSSI grants program are currently underway in Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey and Texas. The NSSI is administered by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability, or CARS, within the Division of Agriculture.
About CARS
CARS is composed of faculty from multiple disciplines and focuses on enhancing economic, social and ecological prosperity for rural communities around the world. Established in 2007, CARS’ work includes developing tools for farmers in the U.S. and around the world that can predict greenhouse gas impacts in livestock operations, researching and teaching production methods that improve water quality and quantity and enabling farms to provide healthy and safe produce.
More information about the National Sustainable Strawberry Initiative at http://strawberry.uark.edu/.
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of 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.
# # #
By Mary HightowerThe Cooperative Extension ServiceU of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Luke Freeman National Sustainable Strawberry Initiative 479-575-2798/lfreeman@uark.edu
Related Links