Amanda Perez is a food systems and food safety expert with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. September is National Food Safety Education Month, and she gives us some advice about food safety during a pandemic.
The Arkansas rice industry donated 153,500 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Foodbank in honor of National Rice Month yesterday. The donation from seven mills will provide over 1.5 million servings of rice to help feed families, children and seniors across the state. We caught up with Kelly Robbins, new executive director of the Arkansas Rice Federation to hear all about it.
Ritter Agribusiness of Marked Tree was established in 1886 and continues to diversify its farming operations. In 2018, the company ventured into specialty crops by purchasing Gillam Farms in Judsonia, which was known primarily for its blackberry varieties. Ritter Farms now grows blueberries, strawberries and muscadines and is expanding its blackberry acreage for local sales and shipment across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its latest Crop Production report recently. Brandy Rennicke Carroll, ArFB Director of Commodity Activities and Market Information, gave us an update on what it said about corn and soybeans, plus the latest supply and demand estimates for those commodities.
September 17 is National Teach Agriculture Day. Kristyn Sheets, agriculture instructor and FFA Advisor at Magnet Cove High School shares why she is passionate about being an ag educator and why teaching young people about our state’s largest industry is so important.
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.
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.
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.
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.
