Arkansas Department of Career Education Beef Grants

Arkansas Grown Meats

Meat Processing Grant Program Steers Needed Funds Into Arkansas

Equally Arkansans tried to source more locally grown and processed meat in 2020 when the COVID-nineteen pandemic acquired nutrient supply concatenation disruptions, it quickly became apparent that Arkansas needed additional meat and poultry processing capacity. To accost that need, the Arkansas Section of Agriculture (Department) worked with industry partners to create the Arkansas Meat Processing Grant Program. With $10.4 million provided for the programme by the Arkansas CARES Deed Steering Committee and the Arkansas Legislative Council, the Section awarded grants upwards to $500,000 to 31 facilities beyond the land in October 2020. Colton Capps, owner of JACO Meats in Hope, was 1 of the 31 grant recipients. Capps had witnessed the growing need in his expanse for locally processed meat even before the pandemic and considered expanding his operation, but the cost of construction and processing equipment made it cost- prohibitive. "One time nosotros heard about the grant, we knew information technology was our chance to make the expansion possible," said Capps. Capps used the grant funding for the construction of a new building, refrigeration equipment, and additional meat processing equipment. The facility received its federal grant of inspection from the U.S. Department of Agronomics (USDA) in August and has tripled its weekly processing

chapters. Capps expects to almost double his electric current production rate in 2022. Capps said, "The grant program helps bridge the gap between producers and consumers. Information technology provides producers more avenues to market their livestock, and it allows consumers to buy meat that is raised locally, providing that peace of mind that comes with knowing where it came from. Information technology besides creates an efficiency "The expansion of the meats that we oasis't seen in programme at Arkansas State my lifetime in southwest will provide our students Arkansas. We aren't and community with selling cattle to an out- of-land feedlot, valuable career training..." processing it in another land, and ownership it from a grocery store that isn't locally owned. We are doing all of that right hither at habitation." Arkansas State Academy College of Agronomics (ASU) received funding through the grant program to upgrade its current meat processing facility, known as the A-State Meats Lab, and aggrandize didactics and research opportunities. Dr. David Newman, acquaintance professor of brute science at ASU, oversees the meats lab project and works with USDA to accomplish federal inspection for the renovated lab. In addition to giving the lab the ability to sell USDA-inspected meat into interstate commerce, a USDA grant of inspection will give students the opportunity to work with USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service inspectors and receive crucial and relevant on-the-task training. ASU believes the renovated lab and the expanded programs offered volition attract

new students to the Animal Science program and also provide educational opportunities for the community. Dr. Newman said, "The expansion of the meats program at Arkansas State will provide our students and customs with valuable career training, educational seminars, and the availability to purchase fresh direct from campus." Damon and Jana Helton, owners of The Farm at Barefoot Curve and Cardinal Arkansas Meat Processing, used their grant to purchase the state's first Mobile Harvest Unit of measurement (MHU). The Heltons produce cattle, hogs, and poultry on their farm and have experienced the processing excess firsthand. "Having meat to sell is how we pay the bills. Not beingness able to get finished animals into the butcher really put a financial strain on our farming operation," said Damon Helton. "The country's Meat and Poultry Processing Grant was a unique opportunity to develop a Mobile Harvest Unit to help address the processing excess, reduce the loading and transporting stress on animals, and reduce transportation costs for producers."

"We are in the eye of a local nutrient renaissance and demand for local food is through the roof."

The MHU has received a Conditional Grant of Inspection from USDA and will be able to process cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats. Initial capacity is estimated at 15 head of beef, 20-25 hogs, and 25-30 sheep and goats per day.

The Heltons also plan to establish a "brick and mortar" facility for the fabrication and packaging of the finished meat products. "We are in the middle of a local food renaissance and demand for local food is through the roof," said Helton. "Jana and I are honored to be part of helping consumers 'know their farmer, know their nutrient'."

Learning Life Skills on the Subcontract

Investing in Agriculture Ways Inmates Larn New Skills

While the Arkansas Department of Corrections may non have the largest farm in the land, Davey Farabough, farm administrator for the Department of Corrections, is confident it has ane of the most various. Row crops, produce, dairy cattle, laying hens, beefiness cattle, horses, and timber are spread beyond more than than xx,000 acres at nine different farm locations throughout the land. The continuous effort to provide low-cost and nutritious food to inmates while teaching them agricultural skills plays an invaluable function in preparing individuals to re-enter order and saving the land tax dollars.

"It's difficult work, and almost of them want to be out there doing it," said Farabough. "Being a part of our unit farms means they are moving closer to going back into society. They are learning a merchandise, a skill, a labor… and they take pride in information technology. For case, a lot of the men work for united states in the laying houses that are role of our poultry operation. They're assigned a house to intendance for and they really have ownership of it. It's theirs to manage, to care for, to play a part in the success of it. And then, they are fully invested and they have a sense of pride nearly it." Farabough also explained the importance of providing the products grown and raised past the inmates back to them for consumption. Dieticians with the Section of Corrections plan meals for consumption and piece of work alongside the agriculture units to determine what needs to be planted and grown.

Much of the row crops are grains such equally rice, corn, soybeans, oats, and wheat. Many of the vegetables grown for consumption, including squash, potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, peas, beans, and radishes, are planted multiple times throughout the year. Eggs and milk are processed past inmates, and all finished products are consumed in the units. Beef cattle are sold through Superior Livestock Auction and the coin is used to purchase ground beef for inmates.

In addition to providing food for inmates, the Arkansas Department of Corrections subcontract produces feed for livestock on the farm. An onsite feed manufactory and grain bins shop corn and oats for cattle raised on the farm and the horses utilized throughout the farming operation. Their partnership with the University of Arkansas Organisation Partitioning of Agriculture also helps with the comeback of the operations

and advancement of research in agriculture, all of which bear on the farm's bottom dollar. "We operate this farm just like any other subcontract in the land of Arkansas," said Farabough. "Nosotros only spend what we brand, but what sets us apart is that we're so diverse. If nosotros endure a hailstorm that wipes out a corn crop, we tin can chop it for silage and feed information technology to cows without a total loss." The equus caballus herd at the farm enables the safety implementation of labor and teaches inmates trade skills similar farrier piece of work. Teaching inmates to bulldoze tractors and grain trucks helps with harvest while preparing them for hereafter careers. Each attribute of the agriculture units provides the opportunity for improved product, advancements in agriculture enquiry, and the success of the inmates.

"We take a strong success rate with inmates learning a work ethic through our program and and then getting jobs," said Farabough. "A lot of people don't realize the farm is here and that it operates every bit a public service. Everything nosotros produce here goes back into the units to help offset the price and to relieve the burden on the taxpayers of Arkansas. And we do information technology all while working with these inmates and investing in them."

NATURAL Resources

Conservation, Water Resource Evolution, and H2o Resource Management

Funded 6 Unpaved Route Program projects totaling $396,475

DEVELOPMENT

Water Planning DAM SAFETY CONSERVATION UNPAVED ROADS

Provided technical training and support on flood risk reduc�on and mi�ga�on to 1,700 community officials represen�ng 425 towns, ci�es, and coun�es

Nonpoint Source POLLUTION Footing H2o Floodplain management

$i.four One thousand thousand and

technical assistance provided to 44 projects associated with the abatement/ reduc�on or control of nonpoint source pollutants

Partnering with the U.S. Geological Survey and USDA Natural Resources Conserva�on Service

Provided $150,000 in boun�es for 16,933 beaver tails across 55 districts

917 nutrient direction plans developed and

Monitored Arkansas aquifers, taking measurements at

one,200 WELLS

provided $713 Million

to hire Nutrient Management Technicians

Candy and approved 16 new riparian zone tax credit projects with $835,500 in eligible projection costs

63 community h2o-related projects worth more than $154 MILLION

Managed the ongoing deployment of $5,000,000 in overflowing mi�ga�on projects, providing back up to communi�es ravaged by the 2019 Arkansas River inundation

Saving Vital Resource

Conserving Arkansas'south Groundwater and Agricultural Production

In the 1980s, a report issued by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, at present the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Division, called attention to the quickly shrinking groundwater resources in the Grand Prairie area of Arkansas. Two of import irrigation and water direction projects in eastern Arkansas are closer to achieving the goals of preserving Arkansas'south groundwater while besides reducing flood damage and conserving wildlife habitat. The K Prairie of Arkansas is an agriculturally pregnant expanse in Arkansas, Prairie, Lonoke, and Monroe counties between the White River and Arkansas River. The area is the cornerstone of Arkansas's rice industry that consistently produces more than l percentage of the nation'southward rice. The One thousand Prairie also produces a wide range of other crops, including soybeans and corn, and is the home of two of the state'south largest farmerowned cooperatives, Riceland Foods and Producers Rice Mill.

The Thou Prairie Project and the Bayou Meto H2o Project were initiated decades ago for groundwater protection and conservation purposes, incorporating water quality, waterfowl management, recreation, and environmental protection/restoration measures. The projects share similar purposes but differ in some ways to meet the unique needs of the project surface area, geography, and local preferences. The progress of both the Grand Prairie and Bayou Meto projects has been possible because of devoted partners at the local, country, and federal levels.

Grand Prairie Projection

In 1991, Congress authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop the G Prairie Area Demonstration Project by working with local, state, and federal partners to develop an optimal improvement plan to offer water security while supporting agricultural, municipal, and commercial h2o uses.

The resulting plan for the area includes numerous on-farm conservation and winter waterfowl improvement measures with an accent on conversion from groundwater to surface h2o use. The programme includes on-subcontract reservoirs and tailwater recovery systems, irrigation "At that place is a disquisitional pipelines to salvage water need for these irrigation projects." during transport, and other conservation measures to meet well-nigh l pct of the h2o demand. The remaining fifty percent is to exist met with the Grand Prairie Projection which involves the import of excess water via a pump station on the White River, a network of new canals, pipelines, and associated channel structures, on-farm features, and ecology restoration and enhancement measures. The improvement plan is currently being implemented by a partnership involving the U.Southward. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), the Arkansas Department of

Agriculture, the U.Due south. Army Corps of Engineers, and the White River Irrigation District. Other partners include the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Natural Heritage Committee.

To date, more than $200 one thousand thousand has been invested in the project. The project has provided a pump station and pipelines that will carry the water from the river to a completed irrigation-regulating reservoir that sits virtually 100 feet higher than the river. H2o from the reservoir volition gravity flow through a network of new canals and pipelines to more 250,000 acres of irrigated cropland. The h2o volition menstruum west from DeValls Bluff to Carlisle, and then Southeast to Slovak, Stuttgart, and equally far due south as DeWitt.

A crucial step toward delivering affordable surface water to the get-go 40,000 acres of the 250,000 acres of irrigated crop land took identify in early on 2021 with the beginning of canal construction. Funded through grants provided through USDA NRCS and committed loans from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, construction started in 2021 on the first two miles of the culvert. An additional ten miles of culvert construction is planned for 2022. Time to come phases of this project are designed in increments of 30,000 to 40,000 acres over the side by side v years. Construction will continue with a new segment starting each year, funding permitting, until all 250,000 acres are receiving water.

Bayou Meto Project

The Bayou Meto Projection was authorized by Congress in 1996 to provide flood command, wild animals habitat, and surface water irrigation benefits to approximately 300,000 acres in Lonoke, Prairie, Jefferson, and Arkansas counties. Row crop farming of soybeans, rice, cotton, corn, and other crops is the primary driver of the economy in the Bayou Meto Project area and is dependent upon irrigation water availability and practiced drainage.

The canonical plan for the Bayou Meto Project includes pumping excess Arkansas River h2o into a series of canals, bayous, and pipelines to approximately 268,000 acres of irrigated farmland to support commodity production. A pumping station in the lower portion of the project expanse will

remove excess water from the lower project surface area, including the 33,000-acre Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Surface area, a premier wintertime duck habitat. Preventing water retentivity during the growing season of high-quality bottomland hardwood trees volition assist preserve valuable wildlife habitat.

Partners in the projection include the Bayou Meto Water Direction Commune, U.S. Ground forces Corps of Engineers, the Arkansas Section of Agronomics, the USDA NRCS, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Approximately $167 million has been invested in the project to date, resulting in the structure of two pumping stations, a regulating reservoir, several miles of canal, and a bridge.

A recent grant from the USDA NRCS is financing the next stage of the construction. Work is expected to start in early on 2022 and will include completion of the chief canal to reach the Indian Bayou, removal of obstructions from the bayou, and construction of pipeline networks to reach farms. Pending bachelor funding, the project is estimated to begin delivering water to farms inside the side by side three to v years.

"These projects volition residual the use and supply of existing surface and groundwater..."

Mike Sullivan, the Arkansas Country Conservationist for the USDA NRCS, has been instrumental in the contempo progress on both projects. "There is a critical need for these irrigation projects due to failing levels in the Alluvial and Sparta aquifers that are used for agronomical irrigation, municipal, and industrial water," Sullivan said. "These projects will remainder the use and supply of existing surface and groundwater resources and then agronomical production can continue sustainably into the future."

Sporting the Jacket –Green and Blueish

FFA & 4-H Students Break New Ground

Equally two young girls grew upwards in the agriculture-based state of Arkansas, they learned the ability of customs and how to find their way in a large world. Sara Gardner and Anna Mathis, through involvement in FFA and 4-H, have establish means to impact the upcoming youth with the same passion for agriculture.

FFA and 4-H bask statewide support, with iv-H existence in all 75 counties and FFA having over xiv,000 members beyond the state.

Sara Gardner

Sara Gardner is a junior at the Academy of Arkansas (UA) pursuing a double major in Agricultural Economic science and International Economics with minors in Ag Leadership, International Evolution, and Castilian. Her passion for international economic development was established through a onemonth service-learning trip to Mozambique.

She served as State 4-H President, was inducted into the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame, and at present serves on the National 4-H Young Alumni Informational Lath.

Gardner has been volunteering for veterans for 12 years and was the recipient of the National Disabled American Veterans Youth Volunteer of the Yr Honour. On campus, Gardner is serving her second term every bit Associated Pupil Authorities's Director of Veterans Affairs and is a National Ag Futures of America Scholar. Gardner is an officeholder of Collegiate Farm Bureau, Delta Delta Delta, and the Educatee Alumni Association.

In 2021, she interned in the White House Office of Political Diplomacy. She is employed office fourth dimension equally a Communications Specialist at the National Agricultural Law Center and plans to attend police school after completing her degrees.

Anna Mathis

Anna Mathis grew up in the pocket-sized town of Valley Springs, Arkansas. She is a student at the University of Arkansas (UA) in Fayetteville double majoring in Agronomical Communications and Agricultural Leadership. Mathis has long term aspirations of beingness involved in the intersection of rural engagement and agricultural policy, while amplifying the stories of farmers and ranchers along the way.

During her first year as a Razorback, Anna served as the State FFA President where she set strategic vision and was a voice for pupil success through agronomics and agricultural instruction.

Anna took a leave of absence from UA while serving as the National FFA Secretary. In this role she informed, motivated, and inspired 760,000+ FFA members, forth with advisors, state staff and teachers, while forming relationships with corporate sponsors and state and national legislators.

SHARED SERVICES

Financial, Human Resources, Marketing, It, Legal, Laboratory Services, Law Enforcement, Trade and Economic science

Fiscal managed a combined opera�ng budget of more $208 Million

$1,312

received in fines and suppression reimbursements

133 law enforcement cases resolved

158 law enforcement assists performed

$608,645 Restitution returned to Arkansas land owners

Human Resources filled 142 open posi�ons beyond all divisions

Marke�ng issued 74 printing releases, and promoted fourteen state proclama�ons

Assisted Section'southward boards and commissions in promulga�ng ix rules

Coordinated xiv farm loan media�ons, with x resul�ng in successful resolu�ons

11,350 vendor invoices processed

$14 Meg in Federal Grant assistance payments candy

$27 1000000 in Federal Grant assist reimbursements requested

SASDA: An Authentic Success

SASDA 2021 Conference Made Possible Through Generous Sponsors

While the agriculture industry certainly looks dissimilar beyond the United States, all 50 states and four territories have a section of agriculture with the same basic purpose – to protect, promote, and support the state's agriculture manufacture. These departments work together through the National Clan of State Departments of Agronomics, ameliorate known as NASDA.

NASDA, founded in 1916, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit clan that represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.Southward. territories. NASDA grows and enhances American agronomics through policy, partnerships, and public engagement. NASDA is governed by a x-fellow member Board of Directors consisting of a v-member Executive Committee, one At-Big member, and the presidents of the four NASDA regions. Executive Committee members are the officers of the association and serve a five-year term. Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward was elected secretarytreasurer of the National Association of State Departments of Agronomics (NASDA) for 2021-22 at their almanac conference in September.

"It's a great award to exist elected as secretarial assistant-treasurer of NASDA," said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. "I am proud to correspond Arkansas within the organization and look forward to supporting our nation'south states and territories in promoting our various agronomics industry." Secretary Ward served as the 2020-2021 President of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agronomics (SASDA), one of the four NASDA regions, and chairman of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee. SASDA strives to ameliorate American agronomics through the evolution and promotion of sound public policy and agronomics-related businesses and programs and to communicate the vital economical importance of agriculture. SASDA includes members from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, S Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia.

As part of Secretary Ward'south term as the SASDA President, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture hosted the 2021 Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA) Conference in June. The briefing included updates and discussions on a range of issues, policies, and programs of import to agronomics. Governor Asa Hutchinson and members of Arkansas's congressional delegation, including Senator John Boozman, Congressman Rick Crawford, Representative French Hill, and Representative Bruce Westerman, were able to join SASDA members and provided updates on a range of issues and policies of import to agriculture. Harrison Pittman with the National Agricultural Police force Center provided an overview of the latest agricultural and nutrient law issues.

The 2021 SASDA briefing would not take been possible without the generous contributions from sponsors. The briefing'southward theme was "Authentic Arkansas," and from the rice fields of the Arkansas delta to the height of Petit Jean Mountain, attendees enjoyed several excursions that demonstrated why agriculture is Arkansas's largest manufacture. The outpouring of support throughout the whole land demonstrated to guests what true Arkansas hospitality looks like.

"Serving every bit the 2020-2021 President of SASDA and hosting the 2021 SASDA meeting, in-person in Lilliputian Stone, was an honor," said Secretary Ward. "We are incredibly proud of the agriculture manufacture hither in our state and await forrard to the many ways that Arkansas will go along to contribute to American agriculture through SASDA and NASDA in the coming years." At the close of the conference, Secretarial assistant Ward passed the SASDA president's gavel on to Commissioner Kent Leonhardt of the West Virginia Section of Agronomics.

SASDA and NASDA are great resources for land departments of agriculture and provide additional means for producers to have their voices heard at the regional and national levels. "Partnerships have always been important in agriculture, and I've seen firsthand the bear on that working with our counterparts across the county can take in addressing issues and finding constructive solutions for the manufacture," said Ward.

The Arkansas Department of Agronomics was honored to host the 2021 Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA) almanac meeting in Little Stone.

The 2021 SASDA agenda incorporated many of the unique and authentic features of Arkansas that brand it such a wonderful place to alive, work, and visit. Attendees enjoyed scenic views from atop Pinnacle Mountain, a trip to the Delta rice fields, Arkansas pecans, black apples, tomatoes, a private concert from Arkansas'south very own Buddy Jewel, and discussions with key Arkansas country and national regime officials. This showcase of Authentic Arkansas was possible through the generous back up of the 2021 SASDA sponsors! Thanks for your back up of Arkansas and Arkansas agronomics!

Diamond Sponsors

Revolution Simmons Bank Southern Crop Production Association

Platinum

Riceland Foods, Inc. Tyson Foods, Inc.

Golden

Airbox Arkansas Farm Agency Elanco Creature Health Inc. Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas Merck Animal Health Rollins, Inc. U.Southward. Department of Agriculture Animal and Establish Wellness Inspection Service

Silver

Agronomical Council of Arkansas American Farmland Trust American Pecans Anthony Timberlands Arrow Exterminators Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. CoBank Delta Peanut Silver (Cont.) Niggling Rock Port Authority Mi-Corporation National Industrial Hemp Quango Petit Jean Meats Potlatch Deltic Ralston Family unit Farms USA Rice Weyerhaeuser

Bronze

ADM American Seed Merchandise Association Arkansas Bait and Ornamental Fish Growers Association Arkansas Cattlemen's Association Arkansas Forestry Clan Arkansas Pork Producers Arkansas Timber Producers Association Catfish Farmers of Arkansas Catfish Pro Delta Solar Ducks Unlimited Green Bay Packaging Greenway Equipment, Inc. Hiland Dairy Foods

Bronze (Cont.) Hormel Foods Corporation Hot Springs Natural House of Webster Kingwood Forestry Services, Inc. Mountaire Corporation Murray State University Hutson Schoolhouse of Agriculture Natural State Rabbit Nestle Purina Producers Rice Mill, Inc. Ray Dillon Ritter Agribusiness The Ross Foundation Skippy Brand Peanut Butter Southern Cotton fiber Ginners Association Southern Extension Risk Management Education Texas Peanuts Soybean Promotion Board Wilson Brothers Lumber WinWam Software

Friends of Agronomics

Arkansas Section of Agriculture Arkansas PBS Arkansas Section of Parks and Tourism Arkansas Rice Federation Arkansas Secretary of State Caddo Trading Company Cavender's Primal Arkansas Resource Conservation & Evolution Council Dan'due south Whetstone Epstein Gin Fayette County Farm Agency FieldWatch First Financial Bank Halo Branded Solutions Honeyton Farms KYYA Chocolate Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Post Winery Pradco Outdoor Brands Stuttgart Bedroom of Commerce Who Dat's Cajun Restaurant Winthrop Rockefeller Intitute

Agribusiness Options for Arkansas Youth

New Business organisation University Opens in Lonoke Canton

In the United states, information technology takes an average of four to six years to consummate a baccalaureate program. Going straight into higher is not ever the best choice for some students, and many tin can benefit from obtaining a certification degree in loftier school to enter the workforce.

Business leaders in Lonoke County realized the need for a technical school in the area and the opportunities information technology would provide to students and the region. On October 25, 2021, the new Lonoke Business University was dedicated and officially opened its doors. Students can participate in five hands-on programs of written report designed to prepare them to enter the workforce in skill-based careers.

Elizabeth Anderson is a Lonoke School Board member who served as chair of the local school millage entrada and upper-case letter campaign that raised $12.5 1000000 for the Lonoke Business organization Academy. "Lonoke County, with its agronomics-based economy, is an platonic location for a school to focus on preparing students for careers in the surface area. Statistics show that just 30 per centum of students in Lonoke County go to college, and of that 30 pct, simply 50 percent terminate with a degree. And so why non provide them an opportunity within their high schoolhouse education that amend prepares them for a career and a lifelong partnership with their community?" said Anderson. The Lonoke Concern Academy offers classes in healthcare, aquaculture, diesel fuel technology, fauna scientific discipline, and industrial applied science. The Lonoke Schoolhouse District partnered with Arkansas Country University-Beebe (ASU-Beebe) and Baptist Health on the evolution of the xxx,000 foursquare pes facility that serves as an ASUBeebe regional career center location and is connected to a 12,000 foursquare foot Baptist Health Family Clinic. The health clinic will serve as a family clinic for the customs also equally a schoolhouse-based clinic. The clinic will support the medical professions program of study

Farmers and agribusinesses in the region accept been supportive of the new academy and are excited about the positive impact information technology will take on heir industry. Farmers will participate in educational activity the agricultural courses, cheers to a waiver the Lonoke School Commune was able to obtain. Donations have included grants for a diesel fuel engine simulator and virtual reality headsets for students to access the state-of-the-art engineering science and curriculum.

Students can earn a certificate of proficiency, or in some instances, a technical certificate by the time they graduate high school. In the patient care tech programme, students will be ready to sit down for a national board licensure examination later on completion of the program. Afterwards completing programs at the academy, students are prepared to go direct into the workforce or continue their education.

Seventy-5 students are currently enrolled at the Lonoke Business University. Enrollment is expected to increment equally the news spreads about the school.

"Our opportunities are endless as long as we can offer the instructors and classes to meet the demand," said Anderson. "Correct now, the cost for students is gratis. Lonoke Public Schools had enough reserve to support the students enrolled," said Anderson. "As enrollment increases, the program cost will be passed to the students at a very reduced charge per unit compared to collegiate cost." Governor Hutchinson attended the dedication of the Lonoke Business Academy and stated, "Information technology's all virtually providing options for our young people. Immature people want a career that they enjoy and that brings value and dignity to their lives. This eye will give immature people the pick to find their passion and work they enjoy, and if they take that, they will enter the workforce and remain in the workforce." More information about the Lonoke Business University can be establish at www.lonokeschools.org.

Strides in Efficiency

Improving Irrigation Practices in the Natural State

The University of Arkansas Irrigation Water Management grouping, led by Dr. Chris Henry, Russ Parker, Travis Clark, and Casey Sieber, is helping Arkansas farmers improve their irrigation practices while maintaining ingather yields and improving subcontract profitability. The Irrigation Water Direction group created a new program in 2018, the Arkansas Irrigation Yield Contest: Most Crop Per Drib. Adult every bit a novel style to promote and encourage experimentation with irrigation water direction practices by Arkansas farmers, there take been over 150 entries in the contest since it started. It is the only irrigation competition of its kind in being.

Participants acquire a portable menstruum meter for a thirty acre field of corn, rice, or soybeans. Installation is verified and sealed to prevent tampering. For no toll, participants can infringe soil moisture monitoring units and surge valves and utilise factsheets or a variety of mobile apps bachelor from the University of Arkansas programme. Every participant has used Computerized Hole Selection in the contest to appointment, only they tin can also use any other technology available.

Canton Agents and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) irrigation technicians serve as advisors for the contestants. In addition to irrigation efficiency, participants also must achieve a minimum yield, which is set up relatively loftier. Achieving yield (and profitability) while finer managing irrigation makes the contest challenging and rewarding. A yield bank check measured on three acres is used to determine which participants have the best water apply efficiency, i.eastward., the "most crop per drop" of rain and irrigation. Over $68,000 in prizes are awarded to 9 winners annually.

All contest participants are provided a written report card so they tin can appraise their irrigation management acumen, which is a useful feedback mechanism for farmers. For those participating each year, the report cards are providing historical performance data that enables producers to see their improvement from year to twelvemonth.

"The yields, h2o use efficiency, and extremely low irrigation depths the participants have been able to achieve over the last four years is cipher short of amazing," said Dr. Chris Henry, Associate Professor and Water Management Engineer.

Financial support for the competition is provided by the Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, Arkansas Natural Resource Conservation Service, Ricetec, Delta Plastics, McCrometer, Seametrics, Irrometer, Agsense, Trellis, and CropX.

For more data or to enter the competition, come across the "Irrigation Competition" link at http://www.uaex.uada.edu/irrigation for the entry form and competition rules.

POULTRY

Arkansas'southward largest sector of agronomics

Arkansas is the 4th largest

producer of turkey meat

1.1 BILLION

broilers raised and processed

Benton Canton is the number one poultry producing county in the country

119,172

individual tests conducted for avian influenza

6,500+

Arkansas farms producing some blazon of poultry

Arkansas ranks #3 nationally in the product of chicken broiler meat

Cultivating leadership in public policy since 1939.

Abound WITH US

Agriculture is more than land and crops; it is Arkansas

' s economic foundation. We promote this manufacture and advocate for its future and our country ' south prosperity.

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Source: https://issuu.com/arkansasgrown/docs/arkansas_grown_2022/s/14487488