The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has announced its 2025 County Farm Families of the Year.

Now a featured stop on the Arkansas Farm Trail, Holland Bottom Farm in Cabot has long been a favorite destination for strawberries. What started with just 10 acres and a cotton wagon in 1982 has grown into a thriving business, complete with a storefront featuring a variety of offerings. Tim and Leslie Odom take pride in the success they’ve built and feel blessed to work alongside their children, including their daughter Haley, who has expanded the farm’s digital presence.

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On this week’s Arkansas AgCast, the EPA releases new insecticide regulations aimed at protecting endangered species while giving farmers more flexibility. A destructive fungus is threatening Arkansas strawberry crops, and experts are working fast to understand it. China says it won’t rely on U.S. grain imports, raising questions about future trade. And drivers will have more fuel options this summer thanks to an E15 waiver from the EPA. You won't want to miss this episode of the state’s only weekly ag news program. Listen now:

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Flooding persists along the Cache River, more than 2 weeks after heavy rains hit the area. For Kenny Clark of Grubbs, the persistence of floodwaters further darkens the outlook on this year’s crop. After 55 years of farming, he’s never seen water levels this high, and most of his acres may remain unplanted this season.

More than 800 Faulkner County children got their hands dirty learning where food comes from at the 25th annual Faulkner County Farm Round-Up in Conway. The event included 16 stations for participants to dig potatoes, milk a cow and other ag activities.

Ladies learned various farm skills at a recent three-day bootcamp in Batesville. They made fast friends while studying animal handling, biosecurity, business management, weed identification and touring Chimney Rock Cattle Co., in Concord. The Cleburne and Independence Counties Bootcamp for Cattlewomen plans to host a third-annual event in 2026.

Strawberry season lasted less than a day this spring at Salt Box Farm in Benton. A plant variety highly susceptible to new disease in Arkansas combined with heavy rains and two hailstorms led to last week’s sudden shutdown. Disappointed owner Wade Marshall now pivots to a new plan.

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