Dec. 2 workshop offers farm survival strategies
Nov. 3, 2026
By Mary Hightower
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Workshop features Q&A session with economists, agronomist
- Attendees asked to register online for lunch head count
(330 words)
DOWNLOAD related art of Holloway, Biram, Loy, Chlapecka, Stiles
NEWPORT, Ark. — Amid continuing economic turbulence, the Dec. 2 Agribusiness Talk workshop will offer expert advice and tools to aid farm survival going into the 2027 growing season.
The event runs from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and will be held at the Jackson County Extension Office, 649 Jackson 917, in Newport. There is no cost to attend, and attendees are asked to register to provide a head count for lunch. Please RSVP by Nov. 25.
“As more family farms declare Chapter 12 bankruptcy each year, producers need more help than ever to just break even,” said Zackery Holloway, Jackson County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Producers in northeast Arkansas have shown very strong interest in visiting with UADA economists and specialists to find ways they can mitigate their financial losses.”
"With the total value generated by Arkansas’s farm economy projected to decline for the fourth consecutive year and production expenses remaining high, risk management through marketing, financial planning, and crop insurance is more important than ever to keeping farms in business,” said Hunter Biram, extension economist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “This workshop aims to address that need.”
The workshop lineup includes:
- Crop Insurance Premium Calculator — Hunter Biram, extension economist.
- Aromatics on the Rise: Feasible Rice Varieties for Premiums — Justin Chlapecka, assistant professor of agronomy with UADA’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.
- Future of the Rice Market and Crop Budgeting Updates — Scott Stiles, extension economics program associate.
- Farm Budget Planning and Interest Rates — Ryan Loy, extension economist.
“Most appealing to producers may be the Q&A session that is built into the program,” Holloway said. “This will allow producers to ask any questions they may need answered to help them in the 2027 crop year.”
“Agribusiness Talk is much more than just another meeting for producers to attend; it is a necessity that the extension service needs to provide its expertise to help its producers,” Holloway said.
First Community Bank is a Gold Tier sponsor, and Hurley & Associates, Planters Bank and Insurance, and Farmer's Supply Association are Silver Tier sponsors.
About UADA
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, UADA conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
UADA is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three university campuses.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact the Jackson County Extension Office at 870-256-5546 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact:
Nick Kordsmeier
nkordsme@uada.edu