Oct. 7 field day at Vegetable Research Station to demonstrate potential of no-till organic crop production
The field day will provide an overview of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program, or TOPP, an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as the Organic Research and Extension Initiative.
By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts
- Field day to showcase no-till organic row crop research
- Field day includes informational meeting and plot tours at the station
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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.
The event, which begins at 9 a.m., will showcase research being done by Nilda Burgos, professor of weed physiology and molecular biology for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Attendees will also hear valuable information about connecting organic products to markets.
The Vegetable Research Station, part of the experiment station, is located at 3810 Thornhill Street in Alma. There is no cost to register, and lunch will be served. The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station is the research arm of the Division of Agriculture.
The field day will provide an overview of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program, or TOPP, an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as the Organic Research and Extension Initiative.
“The entire program is geared toward farmers or those working with farmers,” said Lanny Ashlock of the Natural Soybean and Grain Alliance. “We want to let interested farmers know that organic research is being conducted in western Arkansas.”
“A grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, through the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative is funding this research in the Mid-South through Winrock International in cooperation with the Natural Soybean and Grain Alliance and the Division of Agriculture” Ashlock said.
The agenda:
9 a.m. — Welcome and orientation.
Steve Eaton, director for the Vegetable Research Station, and Kelly Cartwright, Natural
Soybean and Grain Alliance
9:10 a.m. — TOPP and Organic Research and Extension Initiative II project description.
Kelly Cartwright and Lanny Ashlock, NSGA
9:20 a.m. — TOPP Mission in Arkansas.
Luke Freeman, Center for Arkansas Farms and Food, Division of Agriculture
9:30 a.m. — OREI II Mission in Arkansas and the Mid-South. Joe Schafer, Winrock International
9:40 a.m. — The USDA organic certification process.
Joe Schafer, Winrock International
10:20 a.m. — Connecting organic grain production to accessible markets.
Leeroy Creekmore, Majestic Milling Company
11:10 a.m. — Status of the OREI Phase II Project Research.
Nilda Burgos, Division of Agriculture
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. — Lunch and Questions/Discussion
1-2 p.m. — Field plot tours
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
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 three campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Steve Eaton by email at seaton@uark.edu or by phone at 479-474-0475 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media contact: Mary Hightower
mhightower@uada.edu