UACES CPED Professional Development

Day 5️⃣ of the Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour wrapped up with:

🛑1 - A tour of Ritter Farms in Judsonia where we learned about blackberry and blueberry production, and how seriously they take food safety for GAP and GLOBALG.A.P. with Sherri Sanders UADA White County Agent
🛑2 - The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas hosted us for lunch and our afternoon speakers in the big board room:
⭐️ Elizabeth Rumley, Senior Staff Attorney with the The National Agricultural Law Center talked about the center, law school, and graduate school.
⭐️ Adam Eades, District Conservationist & Dr. Rodney Wright, Water Management Engineer shared about employment opportunities with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
⭐️ Lys Johnson, PIO with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture shared about the different divisions and what they do, highlighting the broad range of career opportunities.
⭐️ Jacob Holloway, UADA Prairie County Extension Agent, talked about what it’s like to a County Agent and all the unique opportunities with Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service

UA Community & Economic Development

Day 3️⃣ of the Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour included:

🛑1 - We learned all about ag technology, career opportunities, and got to see some tour alumni that now work for Greenway Equipment
🛑2 - We learned all about hybrid rice and small plot research at RiceTec
🛑3 - We wrapped up the day at Anheuser-Busch rice mill in Jonesboro where we learned about how much Arkansas rice is used in their production.

UA Community & Economic Development

Day 3️⃣ of the Arkansas Furure Ag Leaders Tour consisted of:

🛑1 - Keo Fish Farms, Inc. where we learned about aquaculture and fisheries
🛑2 - Riceland Foods in Stuttgart for lunch and a really cool tour of product packaging.
🛑3 - 5-Oaks Duck Lodge to learn about conservation and wildlife management, and maybe see a gator 🐊
🛑4 - Dabbs Farm where Trent Dabbs, shared about their water conservation and farming methods
🛑5 - Open Season Sports Bar & Grill where Farmers & Merchants Bank graciously hosted supper and we got to visit with Tyler Cox, Prairie County Community President, answered questions about ag lending

UA Community & Economic Development

Day 2️⃣ of the 2024 Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour:
🛑 1- Kallem Hill Farms to learn about poultry production and the careers that support the poultry industry. Complete with bio security measures and plastic booties. Perry County Farm Bureau
🛑 2- JBS where we got to hear from Joe Wolfe about the company and careers.
🛑 3- Pope County Farm Bureau with Richard Pierce for lunch and a talk with Jennifer Craig about Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
🛑4- Weyerhaeuser we learned about career and internship opportunities and got a tour of their office
🛑5- Dan Roe Farm to learn about their forestry conservation efforts and we got to see some petrified wood and an amazing home cooked meal.

UA Community & Economic Development

The Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour successfully kicked off with professional development and team building on Monday.
We have 10 great students from colleges all over Arkansas.

Day 5️⃣, the final day of the tour, started with a visit to the Woodruff Electric Cooperative Corporation where we were greeted by President/CEO Michael L. Swan, and learned about careers that help energize agriculture and homes in the area from Anna Howton, and Kevin Scott. Next up, we visited the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas where we learned about powering the state and enjoyed a delicious lunch. While we were in the big board room, we also got to learn about career opportunities with NRCS from District Conservationists Adam Eades and Stephanie Daniel. Elizabeth Rumley, Senior Staff Attorney with the The National Agricultural Law Center, shared about the realities of law school, fellowships, and educational programs provided by The Center. Last, but certainly not least, we got to hear from Cynthia Edwards, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture about the various divisions within the department and career opportunities. After a quick debrief, participants headed home after a great trip learning more about agriculture in Arkansas and the many career opportunities available.

Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Arkansas Discovery Farms UA Community & Economic Development

Day 4️⃣ started with a stop at Peco Foods in Batesville to learn more about poultry processing and careers available within the industry. We joined Greenway Equipment for a delicious lunch while we learned about career opportunities and new innovations in farming equipment, and of course, we got to try out some cool new tractors. Next up, we visited RiceTec to learn about hybrid rice research and development. We rounded out the day at Anheuser-Busch with supper and learned about their rice mill and sustainability efforts in rice production.

Arkansas Discovery Farms Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service UA Community & Economic Development

Day 3 of the Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour started before we even left the hotel where we got to hear from UAPB - School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences' Dr. Tomekia Brunson White about her projects and 1890s Scholar program. Then, we hit the road to Evergreen Packaging, where Rachel Louviere and her team gave us a tour. Next up was Keo Fish Farms, Inc. where we learned about the growing aquaculture industry. For lunch we got to hang out with Brad Chambless and his team at Farmers & Merchants Bank in downtown Stuttgart. After lunch we visited with Terry and Trent Dabbs about water conservation and their collaboration with the Arkansas Discovery Farms program. Our last stop in Stuttgart was slightly altered when we needed to visit Stuttgart Tire Service for a quick flat repair. Thankfully, Riceland Foods’ Jake Guntharp was able to visit with us while our tire got changed. We finished out the day at the White County Extension office with Staff Chair Brian Haller UAEX White County Agent and supper provided by the White County Young Farmers and Ranchers. We got to hear from Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation Board Member, Dana Martin Stewart, White County Young Farmers and Ranchers Co-Chair, Brad Peacock, and Director of Leadership Development, Jennifer Craig. Last but certainly not least, we learned about being a County Extension Agent from Faulkner County Extension - Family and Consumer Science Staff Chair, Mary Beth Groce.

Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service UA Community & Economic Development

Day 2️⃣ of Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour started out with a visit to J A Farms Feed with donuts provided by Hot Spring County Farm Bureau. Next up was the Hope Livestock Auction with lunch sponsored by Hempstead County Farm Bureau, we heard from the owners of the auction and Clay Lance with Farm Credit of Western Arkansas. We visited Plyler & Son Charolais to learn more about their operation and met some friendly bovine. We went on to JACO Meats to learn about processing first-hand. We wrapped up the day learning about conservation and modern forestry practices at the Dan Roe Farm in Camden.

UADA Hot Spring County Agriculture Hempstead County Cooperative Extension Service Arkansas Discovery Farms Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Arkansas Cattlemen's Association Arkansas Beef Council

The 2023 Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour kicked off today with professional development and team building. We had a great slate of speakers in the morning, and were lead by the Arkansas 4-H Center ExCEL team in the afternoon. Tomorrow we hit the road!

Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Arkansas Discovery Farms

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This is the week! Virtual Summer School is here beginning today -- July 11 @ 2:00 p.m. Central!
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