Farmer and rancher Sean Brister of Mulberry, Ark., talks about recent rains and rising floodwaters along the Arkansas River and the impact these threats are having on the community where he farms and runs cattle. Floodwaters are rushing in from storm-ravaged Oklahoma along the Arkansas River Valley. According to the National Weather Service, the projected crest of 41 feet should hit Van Buren, Ark. Monday, breaking the record of 38.1 feet set in 1945.
Across America, military veterans are returning to the land, digging in, and creating new lives as farmers and caretakers, feeding their families and the world. Programs like Homegrown By Heroes and Vets4Ag are helping cultivate a new generation of farmers, developing viable employment and meaningful careers. For a recent Homegrown By Heroes event, we interviewed three Arkansas farmer veterans: U.S. Air Force veteran Desmond Simmons and U.S. Navy vets Dwayne Long and Adrian Sopshire. Watch to learn more about these men and their post-military careers in agriculture.
Rain has created serious problems for many Arkansas farmers, putting many substantially behind on spring planting. Monroe County Farm Bureau President Bo Mason discussed how wet weather has caused delays of a month or more on his 2,500-acre row-crop farm near Brinkley.
Pigweed problems led Adam and Seth Chappell to to experiment with cover crops and no-till farming techniques on their family farm near Cotton Plant. Hear Adam discuss how they went about the process and the results of these new approaches.
Read the spring issue of Front Porch to learn why soybeans have become such an important crop for Arkansas and the nation, take a "Rural Road Trip" to the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum and learn how to make a delicious deli sandwich and homemade pie just like they do it at the Olde Crow General Store in Saline County.
Yell County rancher and hog farmer Keith Stokes has the pleasure of being caretaker to Tusk IV, the living symbol of Arkansas Razorbacks athletics and one of the most unique collegiate mascots in the U.S.
Saline County farmer Damon Helton has opened a second version of his popular Olde Crow General Store. The new location on North Main in Benton, which will be called "Crows Station," is part of an effort to revitalize the downtown area and will create a food "hub" for customers, featuring fresh produce, along with his pasture raised beef, pork and poultry and a variety of food truck offerings.
The week of March 10-16 is National Groundwater Awareness Week, an annual observance to highlight the responsible development, management and use of groundwater. Stuttgart row-crop farmers Trent and Terry Dabbs explain why groundwater is important and share some of the measures they and other Arkansas producers have implemented to conserve and protect this critical natural resource.
Solar energy is gaining in popularity. How is it working for Arkansas Farmers? Read the latest issue of Arkansas Ag to find out more about this, as well the ins and outs (and rules) for using waste feed and for the latest updates on ag law and policy.
Former Arkansas Farm Family of the Year winner and Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Brian Kirksey describes horticulture trends and the history of his Spring Creek Nursery near Amity in Clark County.
