For the Media

May 30, 2008

Forestry and wildlife field day offered June 21 near Fayetteville

LITTLE ROCK - Landowners and others can learn techniques to better manage timberland at the Forestry and Wildlife Field Day set for Saturday, June 21, at the Savoy Research Unit near Fayetteville.

Carbon credit seminar for landowners

HAMPTON, Ark. - Forest landowners and row crop land owners can learn more about the carbon credit system and how they can profit from it by attending a carbon credit workshop Thursday, June 19, at Hampton.

Scientists develop holistic system for organic production

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - An integrated management approach to organic horticulture requires a new way of looking at fruit and vegetable production, according to scientists at the University of Arkansas System's Division of Agriculture.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Some 40 representatives of rice processing and food companies met with researchers from the University of Arkansas System's Division of Agriculture to hear reports about rice processing research.

34th Annual Saracen Landing farmers' market opens June 7

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Music, competitions and a Kids' Corner all will mark the opening of the 34th Annual Saracen Landing Farmers' Market on Saturday, June 7.

Farmers' market offers fresh produce, good food

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - The road to good nutrition leads to the local farmers' market, says Lisa Gilmore, an extension family and consumer science agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

'You said you'd fix that fence'

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - I'd rather take a beating than get into discussions on the pricing of hay land and pasture rental property. There seems to be a 50-50, and sometimes a 100 percent chance that someone isn't going to be happy.

May 23, 2008

Southeast Arkansas tomato farmers sitting pretty

WARREN, Ark. - Arkansas tomato farmers in southeast Arkansas are pleased with their crops and the prospect for a premium price at harvest, according to John Gavin, Bradley County extension staff chair with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Bicycling big on fitness, low on joint stress

LITTLE ROCK - With swimsuit season just around the corner, many of us are looking for a good way to trim down and get in shape. Bicycling is a great exercise for people of all body types because it allows them to make use of many muscle groups and is a low-impact activity.

Find the bicycle that fits you and your riding needs

LITTLE ROCK - With all the different styles and designs of bicycles, how can you determine which one is right for you? It all depends on what type of biking you plan to do.

Using helmets, knowing rules of the road are critical to safe bicycle riding

High blood pressure: the silent killer

MARION, Ark. - High blood pressure often has no warning signs or symptoms, but it can have deadly consequences, says VeEtta Simmons, Crittenden County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

APAC offers workshops to help businesses survive disasters

MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Arkansas business operators can learn how to serve and supply public agencies during and after a disaster by attending the Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center's (APAC) free workshop May 28 at Magnolia.

U of A provides speaker for small business regional council meeting at Albuquerque

MALVERN, Ark. - The Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center (APAC) has been invited to provide a speaker at the Department of Defense South Central Regional Council for Small Business Education and Advocacy when it meets in Albuquerque on July 14-15.

Every good gardener has an edge

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Every good gardener has an edge, which is one reason I always enjoy visiting with elderly gardeners! I'm not implying that age is a requirement, but I think we can agree that experience is an invaluable commodity.

May 20, 2008

HOPE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas System's Division of Agriculture will hold a horticulture field day June 5 at the Southwest Research and Extension Center near Hope.
 

May 16, 2008

CAMDEN, Ark. - Just about everyone enjoys a good fireworks display, but fireworks can be dangerous or even deadly.

Learn to respect, not fear bears during Bear Awareness Week in May

SEARCY, Ark. - The mortgage is due, your paycheck is stretched and food and fuel prices are soaring. Do money problems have you down?

Final Call to be Counted in the 2007 Census of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK - Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) are calling and knocking on the doors of Arkansas farmers and ranchers to remind them that it's not too late to respond to the 2007 Census of Agriculture.

Uncle Ray's clear, blue sky idea

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Every family probably has an “Uncle Ray.” If not, I'll lend you one if you promise to keep him until after our family reunion.

May 13, 2008

STUTTGART, Ark. - Dr. Chris Deren, director of the University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center near Stuttgart, was relieved and thankful that the center's headquarters and research buildings were spared a direct hit from Saturday night's tornado that ripped through Stuttgart.

May 9, 2008

MALVERN, Ark. - The rising cost of food and gas are obvious drains on a budget, but Cheryl Maxwell, Hot Spring County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, says there's a sneaky - but equally draining - way to kill a budget: impulse purchases.

Select and use credit cards wisely

MARION, Ark. - Comparing credit card offers can save money on interest and fees, says VeEtta Simmons, Crittenden County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

Tough times for catfish farmers

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Faced with soaring feed prices and pressure from cheap Chinese and Vietnamese imports, the numbers of Arkansas catfish farmers and acreage have decreased over the past several years, according to Dr. Carole R. Engle, director of the Aquaculture/Fisheries Center at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Focus on family relationships during National Family Month

LITTLE ROCK - For most kids, family is their single most important support system. National Family Month was created by KidsPeace and is celebrated annually from Mother's Day to Father's Day.
 

Extension offers ATV essay competition for youth

LITTLE ROCK - Knowing how to correctly operate an ATV can mean the difference between a successful day in the field or a trip to the hospital.

Eat healthfully

LITTLE ROCK - Despite claims that high carbohydrate diets will cause your body to store fat by enhancing insulin resistance, it's excess calories from any source that are stored as fat, says Dr. LaVonna Traywick, extension gerontologist and associate professor with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Now is the time to vaccinate pets against rabies

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. - Now that warm weather has arrived, owners need to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies, says Mark Keaton, Baxter County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - At first, you may think you have bumblebees zipping around near your porch, deck or carport. It's a simple case of mistaken identity! Because of other similarities, as well as their black and yellow coloring, the carpenter bee is easily mistaken for the more ill-tempered bumblebee.

May 2, 2008

Tiny insects cause big damage, bigger bills

LITTLE ROCK - Late March through mid-May is the peak season for termite swarming in Arkansas. Winged forms of the eastern subterranean termite will leave established colonies in great numbers to mate and will then try to establish new colonies.

Beneficial bugs are garden superheroes

LITTLE ROCK - Those of us who grew up with the Justice League understood that there is good and bad in everything - people, places, beings with superhuman abilities. As we grew older, bought our own homes and decided to plant our own little squares of heaven, we found this childhood cartoon lesson carried over to even the tiniest of beings: insects. Their powers can wreak havoc or maintain harmony just as much as any superhero.

Flood of insects may spell problems for farmers, communities

LITTLE ROCK - Recent flooding along Arkansas rivers is likely to result in a flood of insects affecting major crops and people living in communities near flooded areas, say extension experts with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Why are grain prices so high?

LITTLE ROCK - The reasons that grain prices are so high and you're paying more for food at the supermarket are numerous, according to Dr. Bobby Coats, extension economist and professor with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
 

Get Dollars for Conservation by Participating in New SAFE Program

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Farmers and landowners of marginal cropland seeking to forego the uncertainties of farming for a steady income and to help the environment should consider SAFE - a new conservation program, says Dr. Henry English, director of the Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB).

Getting something for nearly nothing

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - It's human nature to cut corners and the high price of agriculture inputs has everyone in that mode. I can't fault the urge to stay in the cost-cutting mode 365 days a year.

Investing in the future of your community or region

Research and numerous community experiences have shown that one of the keys to success for communities and regions is the willingness of their citizens, leaders, organizations, and businesses to invest in the individual community and its future.