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Arkansas Agriculture Research and Promotion Boards Open Funding Opportunities

05/12/2025

LITTLE ROCK, AR – Four of Arkansas’s agriculture commodity research and promotion boards are currently accepting proposals for research and promotion projects. The boards exist to support the growth and market development of the state’s agricultural industries. Funded through assessments on the commodities they represent, these boards invest in research, marketing, and promotion initiatives that benefit producers and strengthen Arkansas agriculture. During the last fiscal year, the boards allocated $11.5 million to support research and promotion efforts. “Agriculture is Arkansas’s largest industry, and these boards play a vital role in supporting our farmers and ranchers,” said Arkansas Secretary of

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Governor Sanders Inducts 42 Family Farms into the Arkansas Century Farm Program

02/12/2025

LITTLE ROCK, AR – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today recognized 42 Arkansas farm families as the newest inductees into the Arkansas Century Farm Program. The Arkansas Century Farm Program honors farms of 10 acres or more that have been owned by the same family for at least 100 years. Established by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture in 2012, the program highlights the enduring contributions of these families to the state’s agriculture industry. Participation is voluntary and offered at no cost to families. “Our Century Farm inductees do more than just farm – they have a legacy of leadership that

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Governor Sanders Pardons Prize-Winning Turkeys Ahead of Thanksgiving Holiday

20/11/2025

LITTLE ROCK, AR – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders pardoned two turkeys, “Lilly” and “Sprinkles,” today during an event celebrating Arkansas’s turkey industry. The birds were raised by Caroline and Adeline Dixon of Morrilton, members of Conway County 4-H whose turkeys were named grand champion and reserve grand champion at the Conway County Fair. During the event, Governor Sanders proclaimed November 23-29 as Arkansas Turkey Week. Governor Sanders also thanked Butterball for donating a total of 58,000 pounds of turkey products this year to the Arkansas Foodbank, Arkansas River Valley Regional Foodbank, and Northwest Arkansas Foodbank. “Thanksgiving is about good

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Collects Over 540,000 Pounds of Unwanted Pesticides

18/11/2025

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture collected 546,431 pounds of unwanted pesticides across 12 counties during collection events this year. Since 2005, the Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program has overseen the collection and disposal of 6,967,301 pounds of unwanted pesticides across the state. “We’re proud to administer the Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program in partnership with organizations across the state,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Together, we provide producers with a safe and responsible way to manage unwanted pesticides.” Participation in collection events is free to farmers and other non-industrial landowners. The program is funded through

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Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board Provides $15,000 to Support Expansion of Arkansas Rice in Schools Pilot Program

13/11/2025

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture continues to move forward with the implementation of the Arkansas Rice in Schools Pilot Program, an initiative designed to increase the use of Arkansas-grown rice in school meal programs and connect students with local agriculture through classroom learning. The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board voted yesterday to provide $15,000 in funding to support the pilot program’s implementation. The funding will be used to provide equipment such as rice cookers to participating schools, helping facilitate the integration of Arkansas-grown rice into school meal programs. As part of the pilot phase,

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High Risk for Avian Influenza: Arkansas Poultry Growers Urged to Strengthen Biosecurity

10/11/2025

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is reminding poultry growers and industry partners to remain alert for signs of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and to follow biosecurity measures to protect flocks as detections continue across the United States. Last month, the Department confirmed the first case of HPAI in a backyard flock in Mississippi County. While this is currently the only confirmed detection, cases in neighboring states highlight the ongoing importance of prevention and monitoring. HPAI is a highly contagious virus that affects both domestic and wild birds. It can cause sudden death or severe

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Names 2025 Forest Stewards of the Year

06/11/2025

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

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Announces Winners of the 2025 Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest

31/10/2025

LITTLE ROCK, AR – As Arkansas Farm to School Month comes to a close, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture joins Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in celebrating her proclamation designating October as Arkansas Farm to School Month by announcing the winners of the 2025 Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest. Throughout October, schools across the state have celebrated by highlighting their gardens and farm to school activities that connect students with local food and agriculture. “Hands-on learning is one of the most powerful ways students can bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world,” said Governor

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Appoints New State Veterinarian

29/10/2025

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of Dr. Andrew Fidler as the new State Veterinarian, effective Monday, October 27. “Dr. Fidler brings extensive experience in animal health, regulatory science, and agricultural research that will be invaluable to the Department and to Arkansas’s livestock and poultry industries,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Animal health is vital to the success of Arkansas agriculture, and we look forward to his leadership as we continue supporting producers across the state.” Agriculture is Arkansas’s largest industry, contributing more than $25.6 billion to the state’s economy

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Awards Grants to Strengthen Specialty Crop Industry

28/10/2025

LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has selected six projects to receive a total of $336,560 in funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program supports efforts to strengthen and expand Arkansas’s specialty crop industry. “These projects reflect the innovation and collaboration that continue to move Arkansas’s specialty crop industry forward,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “We’re proud to administer this program in Arkansas and support research and marketing efforts that help producers grow their operations and bring more Arkansas-grown products to consumers.”

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