Thirsty Arkansas strawberry crop gets off to early start
Arkansas’ strawberry crop is not only looking good, but is also running a little early this year, said Amanda McWhirt, extension fruit and vegetable specialist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
April 13, 2026
By Mary Hightower
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Strawberry harvest underway
- Dry conditions prompting higher irrigation levels
(203 words)
Newsrooms: With March freeze event likely eliminated 2026 Arkansas peach crop
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ strawberry crop is not only looking good, but is also running a little early this year, said Amanda McWhirt, extension fruit and vegetable specialist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Good thing too. Berries are flying off the shelves at the Ferndale Market, which noted on its Facebook page last week that it twice sold out of the fruit.
“Many growers across the state have been picking for seven days or more now,” McWhirt said on Monday.
“Generally, there has only been minor damage from the mid-March freeze,” she said. “Some blooms were killed in that event which will delay the start of the season for some growers in northwest Arkansas.”
On the plus side, there’s been little disease, likely due to the very dry conditions statewide.
“Growers are irrigating more this year than what has been typical in years past because of how dry it is,” she said.
“Despite the freeze, I think we are still running a tad early, so there will be fruit for Mother’s Day!” she said. “Hopefully temperatures stay cool and we can have a nice long season. If it gets too warm too early — with temps in the upper 80s-90s — things will start shutting down.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas 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.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact: Nick Kordsmeier
Nkordsme@uada.edu