UA Division of Agriculture Public Policy Center

09/23/2026

Sharing for our colleagues

Registration is now open for After the Harvest 2026! 🥕🧑‍🌾

Join food system professionals from across Arkansas in Little Rock on November 4-5 for a two-day conference focused on strengthening local food supply chains from producer to market.

Whether you grow it, make it, sell it, or buy it, there's a place for you here. Growers, food entrepreneurs, processors, farmers' market vendors and managers, buyers, Extension professionals, and community partners are all invited.

This year's program is built around three themes:

💵 Sell Local Food: strategies for accessing and preparing for new markets
🚚 Move Local Food: postharvest handling, storage, processing, distribution, and infrastructure
🤝 Connect Local Food: partnerships that strengthen local and regional food systems

You can also join a specialized bootcamp on Farmers Markets, Arkansas Food Freedom, or Food Processing & Manufacturing. 💪

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
🔗 Register: https://tinyurl.com/hjkjwsfu



Local, Regional & Safe Foods UA Extension

09/22/2026

Let's talk deadlines. October 5 is a VID or Very Important Deadline. You must be registered to vote in Arkansas by Oct. 5 in order to participate in the Nov. 3 elections.

🕚 Oct. 5 is a VID if you are new to Arkansas.

🕚 Oct. 5 is a VID if you have never voted in Arkansas before but now want to participate.

🕚 Oct. 5 is a VID if you just turned 18 and are ready to participate in the democratic process.

Where to Register to Vote:
🎟️ Pick up a paper application from your local library. Complete the form and mail it to your county clerk.
🎟️ Print off a paper application from the Secretary of State's website. Complete the form and mail it to your county clerk.
🎟️ Visit your county clerk's office in person. Complete the form and hand it back to the county clerk.
🎟️ Apply for a state ID card or driver's license at the DMV and electronically register to vote.

More voter registration info: https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-information/voter-registration-information

09/18/2026

Tune in!

Tonight at 6 on “Arkansas Week,” as voters prepare to head to the polls, host Steve Barnes speaks with UA Division of Agriculture Public Policy Center Director Dr. Stacey McCullough and Program Associate Kristin Netterstrom Higgins about the four initiatives that will appear on the ballot this season. Then, Arkansas Civic Action Network Co-founder and Executive Director Gail Choate extends the mid-term elections conversation by sharing her knowledge and expertise about civic engagement and the state’s political climate. Learn more now — and find additional resources — on the Arkansas TV Blog: arkansastv.gov/blog/why-we-dont-vote-and-what-we-can-do-2026-arkansas-ballot-initiatives-arkansas-week.

09/18/2026

UPDATE: We're up to 44 counties, cities, fire districts, etc. with special elections on their Nov. 3 ballot.

Is your Arkansas community on the list?

If there is a local ballot issue election you know of that we don't have listed, please drop us a note in the comments.

In addition to voting for candidates and statewide ballot measures on Nov. 3, 2026, voters across Arkansas may also have the opportunity to vote on local ballot measures in their county, city, or locality.

09/18/2026

FYI

09/17/2026

The 2026 Arkansas Ballot Issues Voter Guide is now online for Arkansans to read over the three proposed constitutional amendments and bond issue on their Nov. 3 ballot.

View your guide at uaex.uada.edu/ballot

Help spread the word by sharing with friends & family.

What’s Inside?
- Q&A’s explaining the four statewide ballot issues.
- A checklist for you to mark how you want to vote on the issues.
- A sample of what supporters and opponents say.
- The wording of the ballot titles you’ll see on Election Day

A limited number of printed copies will be available for pickup at all Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service county offices in October.

Early voting starts Oct. 19. Election Day is Nov. 3.

The Public Policy Center at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture has published neutral, research-based fact sheets on all statewide ballot measures since 2004 to provide voters a better understanding of what is being asked of them.

09/15/2026

From our colleagues at the The National Agricultural Law Center

WOTUS Update: EPA is seeking additional public comment on its proposal to redefine “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act. NALC Staff Attorney Brigit Rollins breaks down the supplemental proposal and what it could mean for federal water and wetlands protections. The takeaway? This would be the narrowest WOTUS definition EPA has ever adopted.

Read more here: https://nationalaglawcenter.org/wotus-update-epa-seeks-comment-on-supplemental-proposal/

09/14/2026

Arkansas has 1.8 million registered voters. Join them to make your voice heard.

Pick up a paper application at your local library or visit your county clerk’s office to fill out the form.

Today is also a great day to check your voter registration to make sure it’s up to date. Check your voter registration at https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/VoterView

Find your county clerk’s office athttps://www.sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/elections/ARCountyClerks.pdf

09/14/2026

It's not too early to make plans to watch Arkansas Week this Friday on PBS.

Dr. Stacey McCullough, director of the Public Policy Center, and Kristin Higgins recorded a session on the four statewide ballot measures with host Steve Barnes.

Tune in 6 p.m., Friday (Sept. 18)

09/09/2026

BLOG UPDATE: We've added more city and county ballot issues to our list of what Arkansas voters may see on their November ballots.

Does your community have a local ballot issue that's not listed? Share in the comments. We are continuing to update the post as we receive information.

In addition to voting for candidates and statewide ballot measures on Nov. 3, 2026, voters across Arkansas may also have the opportunity to vote on local ballot measures in their county, city, or locality.