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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Announces 2025 Farmers Market Promotion Program Recipients

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) is pleased to announce the grant recipients of the 10th annual Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program. Administered by the Department and sponsored by Farm Credit, the program provides funding to support local farmers markets as demand continues to grow for locally grown and made products. “My administration is committed to making fresh, nutritious foods accessible for every community in the Natural State, and our local farmers markets play a critical role in that mission,” said Governor Sanders. “With this funding, farmers markets across Arkansas will be able to attract more

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Applications Open for Wildland Fire Suppression Kits Through September 30

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for wildland fire suppression kits through September 30, 2025. Applications can be submitted online here. Through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service, the Department plans to distribute 75 wildland fire suppression kits to rural volunteer fire departments across the state this year. Since 2014, more than 830 kits have been provided to enhance local wildfire response capabilities. “Our partnership with rural volunteer fire departments is the foundation of wildfire response in Arkansas,” said State Forester Kyle Cunningham. “These departments are on the front lines with us, and

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Arkansas Funding for Fairs and Livestock Shows Guidance

This guidance is intended to assist funding recipients in complying with all legislative requirements. This guidance applies to all recipients of funding, including county fairs, district fairs, Arkansas State Fair, Arkansas Youth Expo, and district junior livestock shows. Funding Allocation:Funding allocations will be based on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s annual appropriation bill approved by the General Assembly. Use of Funds:Allowable expenditures include but are not limited to operational costs directly related to the fair or livestock show, infrastructure, equipment, and educational programming. Prohibited expenditures include association fees, dues, or other association related expenses. Reporting RequirementsEach recipient must submit

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2024 Report Provides Update on Arkansas Groundwater Levels and Trends

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/18/2025Contact: Ayden Massey, [email protected] 2024 Report Provides Update on Arkansas Groundwater Levels and Trends LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) has released the 2024 Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Report pursuant to the Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act of 1991, Arkansas Code Annotated § 15-22-906. This report summarizes groundwater monitoring, current water levels, conservation programs, and water use for 2024. “Our staff and partners have worked tirelessly to collect and analyze critical data on the state’s groundwater resources,” said Chris Colclasure, Director of the Department’s Natural Resources Division. “Our findings offer a

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Notice: New Laboratory Information Management System Launching July 1, 2025

Notice: New Laboratory Information Management System Launching July 1, 2025 The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AVDL) is dedicated to delivering outstanding service. To enhance efficiency and improve client experience, we will be upgrading our laboratory information management system (LIMS) effective July 1, 2025.  A LIMS is a specialized software platform designed to streamline laboratory operations by managing samples, organizing testing data, automating workflows, and integrating instruments. By ensuring seamless data tracking and reducing manual processes, a LIMS enhances efficiency and accelerates the delivery of accurate test results.  The current WebSuite portal used to access test results

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Regulatory Notice: Approved Tank Mixes for Aerial Application with Clomazone Products

Regulatory Notice: Approved Tank Mixes for Aerial Application with Clomazone Products Date: June 11, 2025 The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) has received several inquiries regarding approved tank mixes allowed for aerial application with products containing clomazone. Please note that tank mixes are approved based on the product brand name, not the active ingredient. A detailed list of approved tank mixes can be found on the Department’s website here. Producers and applicators who fail to comply with federal and/or state laws and rules may be subject to civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, as well as possible

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Governor Sanders Announces Additional Water Funding to Support Arkansas Communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/4/2025Contact: Ayden Massey, [email protected] Governor Sanders Announces Additional Water Funding to Support Arkansas Communities LITTLE ROCK, AR — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced $150,000 in emergency financial assistance for the City of Hoxie, along with the approval of $25 million in general obligation bonds to support water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the state. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission approved the funding and passed a series resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of the bonds during its meeting on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The $25 million in State of Arkansas Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Reminds Industry of Dicamba Use Restrictions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/30/2025Contact: Ayden Massey, [email protected] LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) is reminding pesticide applicators and agricultural producers of important restrictions regarding the use of dicamba products during the 2025 growing season. From April 16 through October 31, pesticides labeled for agricultural use that contain dicamba cannot be used for pre-plant (burndown) applications in Arkansas. At this time, no pesticides containing dicamba have a valid federal or state registration for over-the-top (OTT) application on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. As a result, farmers cannot legally apply OTT dicamba on soybeans and cotton in 2025.

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Melbourne Burger Named Arkansas’s Best Burger by the Arkansas Beef Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/28/2025Contact: Ayden Massey, [email protected] MELBOURNE, AR — The Arkansas Beef Council today announced that the winner of the 2nd Annual Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest is the Big Daddy Burger from Johnson’s Country Cookin’ in Melbourne. This statewide competition celebrates Arkansas restaurants and their commitment to using 100% beef in crafting their burgers. The Big Daddy Burger features three half-pound beef patties stacked with triple bacon, triple cheese, and a choice of toppings, all served on a toasted brioche bun. The contest drew more than 2,100 nominations from across the state during the nomination period from April

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Accepting Proposals for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/28/2025Contact: Ayden Massey, [email protected] LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) through June 20, 2025. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Arkansas’s specialty crop industry. Specialty crops are defined by USDA as fruits, vegetables, horticulture, floriculture, and tree nuts. Proposals for funding may be submitted by universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, industry, community-based organizations, and individuals with projects that potentially affect and produce measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or

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