Kallem Hill grows broiler chickens for Wayne Farms in Perry. He has 18 poultry houses and, like other growers in the state, has suffered extended “out times” and other issues from the Covid-19 pandemic. In this update, Hill explains how Payment Protection Program assistance allowed him to pay his employees and says that things are slowly getting back to normal.
In this Video AgCast, UA Food Science Research Specialist Renee Threlfall talks about grapes in Arkansas and the new, grant-funded Arkansas Quality Wine Program.
Friday, Aug. 21, was the third and final session of the 2020 Arkansas Farm Bureau President's Leadership Council, and the focus was on public affairs and government relations. ArFB's Jennifer Craig provides a recap and talks to two participants, Lindsey Holtzclaw and Kisia Weeks, to get their thoughts on the session.
Terry Kruse of McCrory is the 2020 Arkansas Catfish Farmer of the Year. He has been growing "U.S. Farm Raised Catfish" at Cain Fish Farm for more than 30 years. He spoke to us about receiving the honor and opportunity to promote this important sector of agriculture.
Sara Gardner is a University of Arkansas junior double-majoring in agriculture economics and international economics. In this Agcast Video Extra, she discusses being named to the National 4-H Council's Alumni Advisory Board, her passion for Arkansas agriculture and work with Arkansas veterans.
Dr. Chelsea Bland Smith, DVM with Broken L Veterinary Services, PLLC, spoke with Gregg Patterson about the recent outbreak of Vesicular Stomatitus Virus (VSV) that’s primarily affecting horses in the state now.
Dewayne Goldmon of Pine Bluff grows corn, rice and soybeans on 1,400 acres. He worked full-time for Bayer Crop Sciences in technology development and research while farming “part-time” for more than 20 years. He and his wife Debra were the Southeast District and Jefferson County Farm Family of the Year in 2019. Goldmon served on USDA’s Advisory Committee for Minority Farmers and is executive director of the National Black Grower’s Council. He sat down with us to discuss farming, his career and recent events.
Faith Fritch of Benton County was recently elected president of Arkansas 4-H. She spoke with us to discuss her goals for her time in office and why members across the state should look forward to this year in 4-H, despite COVID-19.
John Michael Bearden and his wife Rachel have a cow-calf and hay operation in rural Hot Spring County. They recently cut and baled hay to feed their cattle this winter. In this update from their farm, John Michael explains the challenges they've had with the weather and supply chain issues resulting from Covid-19. But he also says the pandemic has had positive aspects as well.
I.F. Anderson Farms Inc., of Lonoke is the 2019 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. Anderson Farms is the nation’s largest baitfish hatchery, raising 1.3 billion fish annually on 3,334 water acres. It is a fourth-generation fish farm presently run by James Neal Anderson and his son Jamie. Learn more about the family and the history of their succesful business.
