Organic grain field day set for April 7 at Kibler Vegetable Research Station
March 17, 2026
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Free event focused on growers interested in exploring organic production
- Panel discussion on accessibility and creation of organic field crop markets in Arkansas
- Field tour and lunch provided on-site
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Download PHOTOS from the 2025 organic field day
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Organic Field Crop Production and Marketing Meeting will be hosted at the Vegetable Research Station near Kibler on April 7 to connect grain farmers with organic market opportunities and to showcase ongoing organic research in the state.
The event is free and open to the public, and registration is available online. The Vegetable Research Station’s address is 3810 Thornhill St., in Alma.
“The event is focused on growers interested in exploring organic production with buyers from the region to discuss market opportunities for organic grain crops,” said Luke Freeman, program manager for the Arkansas Organic Agriculture project, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program.
Similar to the event last fall, the organic field day also involves partners from the USDA’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative project, as well as the Natural Soybean and Grain Alliance, the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food, Winrock International, the Rodale Institute, and University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture researchers.
Field day agenda:
- 9 a.m. to noon — Indoor sessions featuring a presentation on the potential of organic production, an overview of the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program, research updates on yield data and cover crop systems, and abuyer panel connecting growers with regional organic grain buyers.
- Noon-1 p.m. — Lunch will be provided on-site.
- 1-3 p.m. — An afternoon field tour will show attendees organic research plots, including a trial comparing no-till vs. conventional tillage and mature cover crop stands.
Presenters will include Kelly Cartwright and Lanny Ashlock of the Natural Soybean and Grain Alliance, Luke Freeman of the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food, Will Glazik of the Rodale Institute, along with Trent Roberts and Nilda Burgos of the Division of Agriculture’s department of crop, soil and environmental sciences.
As part of the first session, at 10:45 a.m., there will be a panel discussion focused on accessibility and the creation of organic field crop markets in Arkansas.
The Rodale Institute, an agricultural research and education nonprofit organization, is assisting with recruiting buyers to attend and will host an organic buyer-seller mixer at 4:30 p.m. after the field day at Fort Smith Brewing Company, 7500 Fort Chaffee Blvd., in Fort Smith.
The Arkansas Organic Agriculture project is led by the Division of Agriculture’s Center for Arkansas Farms and Food.
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 Luke Freeman (lfreeman@uada.edu) as soon as possible.
To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit aaes.uada.edu. Follow the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station on LinkedIn and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.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 system 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:
John Lovett
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
(479) 763-5929
jlovett@uada.edu