UADA’s Stiles named Agribusiness Person of the Year
Feb. 16, 2026
By Ryan McGeeney
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Stiles joined UADA in 1999
- Widely known for agricultural budgeting, economic forecasts
(530 words)
Download photos of the award ceremony, Stiles at production meeting
JONESBORO, Ark. — Scott Stiles, extension agricultural economics program associate for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been named Agribusiness Person of the Year by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber presented the award to Stiles on Feb. 10, during the Agri-Business Breakfast, an annual tradition during which a Farmer of the Year is also named. This year’s recipient is Michael Mangrum of Lake City, Arkansas.
Tim Burcham, director of the Division of Agriculture’s Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center, said the award is typically given to someone who has a notable record of action affecting Arkansas agriculture — and the business of agriculture — over a lengthy period.
“The committee looks at a broad range of individuals who have had a lasting and dramatic impact on agribusiness in our state and the region,” Burcham said. “Scott’s been doing this for almost 30 years. When you look at the budgeting process work that he does, as well as the long-term forecasting for agricultural markets, Scott has basically been a mainstay for Arkansas farmers for decades.”
Burcham received the award himself in 2019, the same year he joined the Division of Agriculture after leaving Arkansas State University, where he was dean of the College of Agriculture.
Stiles said that while he was honored to receive the recognition, he was only “one small part of a team.”
“I’ve been fortunate to work with extension economists Hunter Biram and Ryan Loy over the past few years,” he said. “After a short retirement in 2022, they took a chance on me and allowed me to return to work in 2024. No question, much of the credit for the work I’ve been involved in goes to them.”
Stiles originally joined the Division of Agriculture in 1999, after having worked
as an agricultural lender with Farm Credit Services of Eastern Arkansas and Southwest Florida. According to
his award citation, his agricultural career “began at an early age on his
family’s Century Farm in eastern Arkansas.”
Stiles said that he began his work for the Division of Agriculture during a period when many farmers were struggling.
“I began my Extension career on Monday, Nov. 15, 1999,” he said. “December corn closed that day at $1.96, November soybeans at $4.62, December cotton at $0.5056, November rice at $5.29 per hundredweight and July wheat at $2.86. It was a difficult time in row crop farming.
“So difficult in fact, the state legislature provided years of funding for three area farm management specialists,” he said. “These positions would be based at various locations around the Delta District. I thought I would work in that role for three years and return to my family farm.
“But things worked out well. Here I am, still with extension, over 25 years later. It’s been a wonderful experience on many levels,” Stiles said.
Chad Harbison, current chairman of the chamber’s agri-business committee, said Stiles has been an invaluable resource for area producers for decades.
“He has been willing to share his knowledge, expertise and experience with both producers as well as college students,” Harbison said. “Scott’s contribution to agriculture in our area made him the clear choice for our Agribusiness Person of the Year.”
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 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.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System 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:
Ryan McGeeney
rmcgeeney@uada.edu
501-671-2120