News - October 2025

Arkansas 4-H clubs participate in #4HForGood Challenge, serve communities year-round

LITTLE ROCK — Throughout the state, Arkansas 4-H clubs make a difference in their communities year-round with individual and group service projects. In a collaboration between National 4-H and the upcoming film Wicked: For Good, clubs are sharing their good deeds during the #4HForGood Challenge.

Morrilton school garden provides fresh greens, hydroponic tomatoes for school lunches

MORRILTON, Ark.  — Students and teachers at Morrilton Junior High have been enjoying some very fresh produce with their lunches, thanks to a school garden established with the help of the Cooperative Extension Service.

Gist remembered as an innovator, man of faith

MARIANNA, Ark. — Thomas Gist was not only a man of deep faith; he was also a believer in how technology could transform farming.

UADA’s new HR chief planning to hit the road to learn about statewide organization

LITTLE ROCK — LaTonda Williams, the new chief human resources officer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will be seeing a lot of Arkansas over the next year or so.

Extension to host homesteading conferences in Batesville, Harrison in November

LITTLE ROCK — As more Arkansans seek resources for both small and large-scale homesteading efforts, the Cooperative Extension Service will host two conferences in November offering expert information on best practices in food preservation, soil health, poultry management and more.

Dinner at the Vines raises $77K for Arkansas 4-H Foundation

FERNDALE, Ark. — The 2025 edition of Dinner at the Vines raised more than $77,000 for the Arkansas 4-H Foundation — money that will help fund scholarships and activities for the youth development group it supports

Arkansas 4-H Video Crew members learn by doing; gain production skills  

LITTLE ROCK — As lighting director for the 2025 Arkansas 4-H Video Crew, Amanda Berryhill, 16, hopes to pick up production skills for a future career in the film industry.

Forecast rain provides incentive for cool-season plantings

LITTLE ROCK — Another forecast for a rainy weekend means another opportunity for ranchers to speed-plant some cool-season forages, said Jonathan Kubesch, extension forage specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Arkansas 4-H to host Virtual Culinary Camp

LITTLE ROCK — To help young people build confidence in the kitchen, Arkansas 4-H will host a Virtual Culinary Camp from Nov. 7-9 via Zoom. The camp is intended for children ages 5-19, and the camp is open to the public at no cost.

Organic weed control field trial pits no-till vs. conventional till in soybean

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Weed management is a key concern for any farmer. But it’s at the top of the list for those growing organic field crops, seeking or maintaining organic certification.

UAM forestry faculty earn top regional honors for leadership, excellence

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Two forestry professors with the University of Arkansas at Monticello were recently recognized by their peers for their outstanding contributions to the profession –Matthew Pelkki for his distinguished years of service and impact on the forestry industry and Sagar Godar Chhetri as a rising leader in the field.

As waterfowl migration reaches peak, poultry experts urge adherence to biosecurity measures

LITTLE ROCK — As the southern migration of birds reaches its annual peak over the Southern Plains, poultry keepers, especially hobbyists, prepare to double down on biosecurity measures.

New Arkansas waterfowl research center poised for national impact

MONTICELLO, Ark. — A new waterfowl research center that aims to advance waterfowl and wetlands research and transform the industry was announced on Monday during a ceremony at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Federal court dismisses ‘forever chemicals’ suit by farmers against EPA

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by farmers who claimed the Environmental Protection Agency failed to regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals.”

Dry spell followed by severe weather could go either way for cool-season plantings

LITTLE ROCK — A couple of weeks of dry warm weather followed by potential severe weather this weekend could go either way for ranchers trying to get their cool-season annuals planted.

Center for Food Animal Wellbeing gets ‘Boots on the Ground’ with veterinarians

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In the world of food animal production, veterinarians are on the front lines helping producers address both the physical health and wellbeing of the animal.

Fryar Center speaker series inspired by alumnus, ag hall of famer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A new speaker series hosted by the Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence takes its inspiration from Thomas Gist Jr., a University of Arkansas alumnus and Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame member whose life is marked by community service and commitment to agriculture.

Upcoming webinars to help row crop growers manage operating costs in tough economic climate

LITTLE ROCK — With high input costs and low commodity prices, the 2025 growing season left many row crop growers in the red. Amid a tough economic climate, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is offering two online webinars to discuss topics that could help them manage operating costs for the upcoming crop year.

Establish good breast health habits during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month

LITTLE ROCK — The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025, more than 315,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with new cases of invasive breast cancer. During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, extension health experts say it’s critical to establish good breast health habits, which include regular self-checks and annual mammograms.

Poultry growers: Have you checked your water lines lately?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Water quality could impact the kind of microbial populations in poultry drinking water lines and lead to the buildup of a biofilm that can harbor pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella, according to a new study.

UADA analysis shows Arkansas farmers to suffer losses for corn, cotton, long grain rice, soybeans

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas farmers will lose hundreds of dollars per acre this year for their corn, cotton, long grain rice and soybean crops, according to an analysis by extension economists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Experience life as a county extension agent through paid summer internship program

LITTLE ROCK — Applications are now open for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s 2026 county extension agent internship. The paid, 10-week summer program offers college students an immersive, hands-on look at life as an extension agent.  

'So Now You Own a Farm': NALC webinar to guide new farmland owners

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Inheriting or purchasing farmland for the first time comes with big decisions — whether to farm it, lease it, sell it, or preserve it. An upcoming webinar hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center will help new landowners and the professionals who advise them to understand their options and responsibilities.

Updated flu, RSV vaccines now available for Arkansans

LITTLE ROCK — Cooler fall temperatures bring with them the start of cold and flu season. To stay safe and healthy, flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. RSV and pneumococcal vaccines are also recommended for older adults.

Sheep and goat workshops aim to strengthen supply chain, expand markets

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Extension Small Ruminant team, led by extension specialist Dan Quadros, is filling gaps in the sheep and goat supply chain in Arkansas with two October workshops covering cooking techniques and proper meat processing methods.

UAM partners in multi-state study on crabgrass pasture establishment and rate of failure

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Crabgrass isn’t just a lawn intruder — it’s one of Arkansas’ most popular and nutritious summer forages. A nine-state research team is digging deeper to measure the establishment of pasture plants and evaluate the potential risks of failure when incorporating crabgrass into forage systems.

Rain at harvest a minor inconvenience for rice, but milling quality still the chief concern

LITTLE ROCK — While late September rain may have set Arkansas’ rice harvest back a couple of days, it didn’t wash away the concerns farmers have for the milling quality of their grain.

'Pickle Man' Buescher remembered as innovative and respected scientist

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Although internationally recognized as “The Pickle Man,” Ronald W. Buescher is remembered for more than just his fermented vegetable research.

Arkansas APEX Accelerator marks $2 billion-plus in client contracts, joins national 40^th anniversary celebration

LITTLE ROCK —  An Arkansas organization that has helped clients achieve more than $2 billion in government contracts will be celebrating a national day of success with more than 300 fellow APEX Accelerators around the country — and inviting business to get to know their resources.

Extension EFNEP program expanding to provide nutrition education to more Arkansans

LITTLE ROCK — The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, offered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, will soon be available in more Arkansas counties, empowering families with limited resources to make healthier diet and exercise choices. 

Is canine ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne disease in dogs, increasing in Arkansas? Research featured in latest Discovery journal offers clues

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas is still a state with high levels of canine ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne disease that impacts dogs, and the rate appears to be slightly higher than it was five years ago, according to a study published in the latest edition of the journal Discovery.

SNAP-Ed ends 30 years of service in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — After more than 30 years of dedicated service, the SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education program in Arkansas has concluded, marking the end of an initiative that has empowered low-income residents across the state — from preschoolers to senior citizens — to make healthier choices.

Ruben Johnson, former extension director, dies at 95

LITTLE ROCK — Ruben Johnson, who directed the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service from 1981 until his retirement in 1989, died Sept. 23. He was 95 years old.

UADA economists to present ‘Surviving the cost-price squeeze’ Oct.  23 at Stuttgart

STUTTGART, Ark.  — Agricultural economists from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will discuss farm policy, marketing opportunities and financial outlooks Oct. 23 at “Farm Gate Economics: Surviving the Cost-Price Squeeze.”

Oct. 7 field day at Vegetable Research Station to demonstrate potential of no-till organic crop production

LITTLE ROCK — Row crop farmers considering organic production will be able to see no-till, organic field production demonstrated on Oct. 7 at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Vegetable Research Station near Alma.

UADA hosts international contingent of agriculture ambassadors 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Sustainable farming, safe and nutritious food production, research collaborations and technological innovation were running themes for a group of international visitors taking part in the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture tour of Arkansas.