Cotton sustainability field day set for July 30 at Judd Hill Foundation
The July 30 field day at the Judd Hill Foundation will explore various facets of sustainable cotton production, including soil health, water use and greenhouse gas production.
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- Field day begins at 8 a.m. with registration, tours at 9 a.m.
- Field day will tour Judd Hill research, commercial farms
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(Newsrooms — with art: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVU368S, ‘Staplcotn’ in 27th graf is CQ)
NEWPORT, Ark. — The July 30 field day at the Judd Hill Foundation will explore various facets of sustainable cotton production, including soil health, water use and greenhouse gas production.
On-site registration opens at 8 a.m. with field tours beginning at 9 a.m. The in-person event will follow CDC guidelines.
“There are so many organizations working together toward the goal of increasing sustainability in producing cotton, a crop valued at $361million in Arkansas in 2018,” said Bill Robertson, extension cotton agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
“In this joint effort, we will see ongoing research and demonstration projects on the Judd Hill Foundation Research farm and the Judd Hill Foundation Commercial Farm in partnership with the outstanding cotton producers at Judd Hill, Jesse Flye and Marty White,” he said.
Organizers of this event include the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, Arkansas State University, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Health Institute, Cotton Incorporated, and the National Cotton Council.
The Judd Hill Foundation Farm is located on Arkansas Highway 214, five miles south of Trumann in Poinsett County.
On the agenda:
Soil and water conservation research with comparative studies monitoring greenhouse gas production, edge-of-field water quality and soil health metrics as well as practices to improve irrigation water management and integrated pest management with
- Tina Teague, professor-entomology, Arkansas State and University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
- Michele Reba, research hydrologist, USDA-ARS. Delta Water Management Research Unit
- Arlene Adviento-Borbe, research agronomist, USDA-ARS, Delta Water Management Research Unit
Soil Fertility research evaluating fertility needs of cotton following peanuts presented by
- Chuck Wilson, soils specialist-field crops, for the Division of Agriculture
Field-scale demonstrations. Participants will see conventional systems, cover crops and conservation tillage, and systems focused on improving producer profitability, with
- Marty White, producer, Judd Hill
- Jesse Flye, producer, Judd Hill
- Adam Chappell, producer, Cotton Plant, Arkansas
- Matt Fryer, extension soil instructor, Division of Agriculture
“We will also have industry leaders discuss why it is important for producers to enroll in the sustainability programs that brands, and retailers are demanding,” Robertson said.
These talks include:
- Healthy soils for sustainable cotton program update with David Lamm, project manager, Soil Health Institute
- Update on U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol with Gary Adams, CEO, National Cotton Council of America
- Better Cotton Initiative 2030 Impact Targets with Amna Bajwa, senior program officer, Better Cotton Initiative.
- Sourcing Trends: Brands Want to Know More with Hank Reichle, president and CEO, Staplcotn, the Staple Cotton Cooperative Association
The event is sponsored by the Better Cotton Initiative, Cotton Inc., Judd Hill Foundation and the Soil Health Institute.
Organizers will serve a barbecue lunch.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/
Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk, @uaex_edu or @ArkAgResearch.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
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 (see https://www.uaex.uada.edu/counties/) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
About the Judd Hill Foundation
The Judd Hill Foundation was created after the death of Mrs. Esther Hill Chapin in 1991 to establish a legacy for her family. Named for her father, the Judd Hill Foundation’s mission is to create a perpetual benefit to the family’s native Poinsett County and the region, particularly through supporting educational and agricultural pursuits. Former ASU System Board of Trustees member Mike Gibson has served as the trustee of the Judd Hill Foundation since its inception.
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Media contact: Mary Hightower mhightower@uada.edu
501-671-2006