According to a 2019 American Farm Bureau survey, most farmers say financial issues, farm or business problems and fear of losing their farm have a negative impact on their mental health. September is National Suicide Prevention Month and Rebecca Simon with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service shared signs of depression to watch for, steps to help someone in emotional pain and resources for people who need assistance.
The Covid-19 pandemic has led county fair associations to cancel carnivals, rodeos and pageants, but many are holding junior livestock shows on a reduced scale. Following the Health Department protocols, Saline County held a one-day livestock show Sept. 12 in Benton. Watch to see how the county adapted to the safety protocols in order to hold the show and allow young people to be rewarded for raising their animals.
Seven years ago, Alan and Angela Mahan established Rabbit Ridge Farms between Damascus and Bee Branch. They started raising grass-fed cattle and chickens and hogs and transformed an old gymnasium into a beautiful venue for hosting weddings and corporate meetings. They welcome visitors to stay overnight to learn what life on a farm is all about. The Covid-19 pandemic changed their world, but they have adapted quickly and now ship their products nationwide.
Donette Spann has been named administrator of the Arkansas Beef Council, the farmer-funded promotion agency that oversees and administers the Beef Checkoff Program in Arkansas. She replaces the recently the recently retired Travis Justice.
This week, we talk National Honey Month with Jeremy Bemis of Bemis Honey Bee Farm. We get the latest on cotton from agronomist Bill Robertson and we hear about the challenges facing agritourism businesses in Arkansas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
September is Rice Month and the harvest is well underway in Arkansas, the nation’s leading rice producing state. C.J. Parker began harvesting his 4,000 acres this week on his farm near Carlisle. Though he’s had some weather-related delays he still expects to have a good yield.
Ryan Pace, a retired colonel from the Army National Guard, runs and lives on Wholly Cow Farm in Judsonia with his wife and children. Pace served in the military for almost 29 years, and when he's not on the farm, he works for Greenway Equipment in central Arkansas. Pace tells us all about Wholly Cow and the meat he produces for local restaurants and consumers.
In this issue, we celebrate the career of Arkansas Farm Bureau's Travis Justice, who's retiring after almost 50 years of service. We also meet the winners of this year's top Young Farmer & Rancher awards and get to know Dr. Bob Scott, the new director of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.
The ArFB AgTech Training Lab recently made its first stop of the school year at Morrilton High School. The trailer holds three simulators that allow students to experience industrial equipment being used in the workforce and earn credit toward certifications. The trailer remains at each school for one week, allowing time for students to get some experience in the simulators. The schedule calls for the AgTech Training Lab to visit 36 other schools throughout the school year.
