Governor to help mark March 15 Ag Day in Benton Co
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- Event being held at NWACC
- Gov. to speak at 2:30 p.m.
(322 words)
(Newsrooms: ‘Dorn’ in 6th graf is cq)
BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who grew up on a Benton County farm, will help celebrate National Ag Day on Tuesday in his home county.
The event, organized by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service, kicks off at 1 p.m. at White Hall on the NorthWest Arkansas Community College campus, at 1 College Drive in Bentonville. The governor is scheduled to speak at 2:30 p.m.
Northwest Arkansas has experienced explosive growth and in 2014, was named the third-fastest growing economy in the U.S., according to a report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
“Ag is still important in northwest Arkansas, even as development expands,” said Johnny Gunsaulis, Benton County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Ag is thriving and is economically important for our farm families.”
Agriculture is so big that if Benton County were a state, it would rank 46th nationally in ag sales, Gunsaulis said.
Livestock accounts for more than 96 percent of the county’s total farm sales, with the greatest portion of that coming from the poultry industry. The county also has a fifth of Arkansas’ dairy herd and last week, the first new dairy barn since 2000 opened in the county, Gunsaulis said.
The agenda also includes a presentation by Dorn Wenninger, vice president for produce and floral for Walmart, a proclamation by County Judge Bob Clinard, performances by 4-H members and presentations by representatives from the Illinois River Watershed Alliance and Beaver Watershed Alliance.
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/101041406948729/.
Boone County
Boone County will host a hands-on approach to national Ag Day.
“We will be coordinating farm tours for adult and leadership groups,” said Nita Cooper, Boone County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “We think that’s the best way to learn about agriculture is live and in person.”
The county will also have a display in the county courthouse.
For more information on agriculture, contact your county extension office or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture 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 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 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.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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