Arkansas Model State Program 2021-2022

Project Overview

SAR21-001
Project Type: PDP State Program
Funds awarded in 2021: $11,111.00
Projected End Date: 06/30/2023
Grant Recipient: University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Region: Southern
State: Arkansas
State Coordinators:
Dr. Amanda McWhirt
Email
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
Co-Coordinators:
Dr. Henry English
Email
University of Arkansas- Pine Bluff

Commodities

  • Agronomic: annual ryegrass, clovers, grass (misc. annual), millet, mustard, oats, peas (field, cowpeas), sorghum sudangrass, vetches
  • Fruits: apples, paw-paws, peaches, pears

Practices

  • Crop Production: cover crops, cropping systems, grafting, pollination, varieties and cultivars
  • Education and Training: demonstration, extension, workshop
  • Pest Management: biofumigation, chemical control, cultural control, disease vectors, integrated pest management, mulches - general, sanitation
  • Production Systems: organic agriculture
  • Soil Management: organic matter

    Abstract:

    The Arkansas 2021-2022 SARE PDP Model State Program will focus on increasing knowledge and developing skills on cover crop utilization and sustainable tree fruit management. The developed trainings and events will be made available to Cooperative Extension staff, UA and UAPB faculty, staff and students, USDA staff, farmers’ market managers, other agriculture professionals and farmer leaders. Proposed activities include a winter cover crop training that will assist UACES agents in setting up cover crop demonstrations, a workshop and travel scholarships for agriculture leaders to attend regional meetings focused on sustainable agriculture. Program participants will be assessed for changes in their knowledge, confidence and ability to share new information related to sustainable agriculture.  As a result of these trainings and workshops the knowledge of, interest in and application of sustainable practices by Arkansas farmers and agriculture professionals will continue to expand in Arkansas, leading to thriving farms and vibrant communities.

     

     

    Project objectives:

    The objectives of the 2021-2022AR-SARE Model State project are:

    1) To increase the knowledge, awareness, and resources available to extension agents, farmers market managers, farmer mentors and other agriculture leaders in Arkansas for winter cover crops and sustainable tree fruit production.

    2) To increase the confidence of extension agents, farmers market managers, farmer mentors and other Arkansas agricultural leaders in extending sustainable agriculture information and practices related to cover crops and sustainable tree fruit production.

    3) To increase the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices among farmers in Arkansas.

     

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.