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LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is proud to honor Pamela and Jim Jolly as the 2025 Forest Stewards of the Year. The Jollys have demonstrated exceptional dedication to forest stewardship on their 222-acre Patton Tree Farm located in Yell County. Patton Tree Farm is a certified tree farm, and the Jollys were named Arkansas Tree Farm of the Year in 2020. Their land has been managed under a stewardship-management plan since 2012, and the plan includes activities such as pine thinning, road maintenance, controlled burns, and the establishment of a permanent firebreak. The land includes

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has selected ten schools to participate in the 2025 Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) program: “The STOP program gives students hands-on experience with planting and caring for trees while teaching them about the vital role trees play in our communities,” said Kristine Kimbro, Urban & Community Forestry Program Coordinator. “We’re excited to see these schools create lasting benefits for both students and their playgrounds.” Selected schools will receive up to five native shade trees, mulch, watering supplies, and planting guidelines. Participants must attend a virtual STOP workshop, incorporate curriculum on

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Arkansas Rural and Volunteer Firefighters Association will host the 2025 Rural Fire Show on Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Conway Expo and Event Center. The Rural Fire Show is a free annual event that recognizes Arkansas firefighters and their families for the vital service and protection they provide across the state. Attendees will have access to training sessions, equipment demonstrations, informational resources, networking opportunities, and more than 50 vendors. A catered lunch and door prizes will also be provided. “Rural and volunteer

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) is opening enrollment for a new cost-share program aimed at helping landowners in Southeast Arkansas address forest health issues in intensively managed pine plantations. Applications will be accepted until November 21, 2025. In recent years, many pine plantations in this region have experienced a decline in forest health due to brown spot needle blight. The fungus causes distinctive brown discoloration on pine trees, which may deter landowners from replanting pine after harvest. The new program provides financial assistance to landowners for site preparation and reforestation of hardwood species, as