Farm-to-table is the foodie rage and, in Hot Springs, there's an example of this trend that highlights how mutually beneficial the relationship between local farms and restaurants can be. In a unique relationship, JV Farms Homestead in Bismarck takes waste brewers grains from Superior Bathhouse Brewery in Hot Springs National Park, feeds their hogs with it, then sells the pork meat back to the brewery where it’s made into sausage for the brewery restaurant.
The week, we talk to Ashley County farmer James Meeks about issues facing specialty crop farmers and we hear from Dustin Cowell of Newton County about conservation and stewardship of land and water in his area. We also learn about a new “Farmer Apprenticeship Program” launching in January through the University of Arkansas.
The week, we talk to Jeremy Bemis of Bemis Honey Bee Farm and Supplies and Bemis Tree Farm about his family’s growing business in southern Pulaski County, and we hear from this year’s Arkansas Tree Farmer of the Year. We also talk to Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Jessica Clowser Burkham about new regulations for industrial hemp production just released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Peanut production has become more common in Arkansas. With a little help from Tommy Jumper and his vertically integrated business model at Delta Peanut LLC, cotton farmers in Lee and St. Francis counties have been adding peanuts to their rotation and harvesting better-than-expected yields. Jumper talked to us about his business and how he believes that the state will become a “major player” in the U.S. peanut industry when Arkansas’ first shelling facility begins operation near Jonesboro next year.
On this week’s edition, we have an interview with Jackson County farmer Tommy Young about a successful effort to address road challenges that were hindering farmers transporting crops and equipment in his area. We also talk to an executive of Cotton Incorporated about a recent industry visit to Arkansas and we discuss Farm-to-School Month in the state.
Farmers in eastern Arkansas like Caleb Jones are working hard bringing in this year’s cotton crop. Caleb took time to visit with us about his family’s multi-generational farm in St. Francis County and his concerns about this year's prices.
Cotton Incorporated and other industry representatives from across the country made what has become an annual visit to Lee County recently to learn about cotton production and the ginning process from local farmers and observe the fall harvest. We spoke to some of the attendees and to Marianna farmer Trent Felton about the visit and what they hope it accomplishes.
On this week’s edition, we have interviews with State Senator Gary Stubblefield of District 6 and District 74 Representative Jon Eubanks about post-flood assessment of critical levees. We also talk to Poinsett County farmer Scott Matthews about his use of ag technology and we get an update from Jefferson County farmer Wes McNulty on how his season has turned out after flooding earlier this year.
