Agri Arkansas

This time on Agri Arkansas, we take a closer look at the Arkansas Agriculture Department. The Arkansas Agriculture Department is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its Farmers and Ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Plus, the Southern Center for Agroecology has been holding classes on canning and preserving for the past few years and we decided to take a visit.

This month on Agri Arkansas we take a closer look at the Arkansas State Plant Board. The Arkansas State Plant Board has a mission to protect and serve Arkansans and the agricultural and business communities by providing information and unbiased enforcement of laws and regulations. Also we will visit with a Faulkner County family who rescued several honey producing beehives a few years back and have turned those hives into a sweet business. And Chris Hiryak of Little Rock Urban Farming show us how we can grow great garlic.

This month, Agri Arkansas takes a closer look at the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission. Plus we will visit Farris Burroughs Farms near Greebrier where they graze their cattle rotationally. And, Chris Hiryak of Little Rock Urban Farming shows us a unique way to trellis tomatoes. Panelist include Patrick Fisk, Deputy Director of Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission and Bill Burroughs of Farris Burroughs Farms.

This month, Agri Arkansas takes a closer look at Arkansas Garden Corps. An AmeriCorps program hosted by the Childhood Obesity Prevention Research Program at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute in Little Rock; Arkansas Garden Corps programs and members reach all corners of the Natural State. Plus, we travel up Petit Jean Mountain to visit the Camp Mitchell Agricultural Project. Also, Chris Hiryak of Little Rock Urban Farming teaches us a little bit about microgreens.

Take a look at Cotton in the Natural State. Plus visit Dogwood Hills Guest Farm in Harriet, Arkansas. Guests include Bill Robertson, Cotton Agronomist with the University of Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Ruth Pepler, owner of Dogwood Hills Guest Farm.

This April, Agri Arkansas visits Across the Creek Farm in West Fork. Terrell Spencer, with his wife Carla and their 3 children got their first batch of chickens in 2007. Today they are raising over 10,000 broilers on pasture; as well as a good sized flock of laying-hens. 'Spence' as Terrell is commonly known, served a total of 9 years in the Army, both on active-duty and in the reserves. It was his experiences during a combat tour in Iraq as a machine gunner that drew him into farming. Through a combination of farming and faith, the farm has been a place of healing and growth for the Spencer family. Also, we will visit Little Rock Urban Farming, a community-based food enterprise in the heart of Little Rock.

This March, Agri Arkansas flies high with Arkansas agriculture. Plus we take a look at the Faulkner County Library's demonstration garden. Guests include agriculture aviator Michael Hutchins and Faulkner County Library Garden Programmer Sean Ott.

Visit Tri-Cycle Farms in Fayetteville. This community garden's mission is to grow community through soil and to steward food awareness, education and empowerment. We also take a look at the use of social media in agriculture.

This month, we take a closer look at Cuba, discuss 2016 harvests, and recognize African-Americans’ agricultural accomplishments.