UAPB: Small Farm Program

We invite you to join us for another beekeeping workshop 🐝, the workshop will be held May 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We hope to see you there!

You are cordially invited to attend the 2026 Southwest Arkansas Small Farms Conference, taking place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Hempstead Hall at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, Hempstead Hall, 2500 S. Main Street, Hope, Arkansas.

This conference will bring together producers, landowners, and partners from across the region for a full day of learning, networking, and resource sharing designed to strengthen small farm operations and rural communities.

The conference will open with O'Brennan Moss, Director of Grow Sumthin Challenge Gardens, Inc., who will set the tone with an engaging presentation titled "Harvesting Hope: Building Food Security Through Community Agriculture." Mr. Moss will be followed by Attorney Rusty Rumley, Senior Staff Attorney at the National Ag Law Center, presenting "Protecting the Future of Family Land."

Throughout the day, participants may choose from a variety of concurrent sessions focused on community development and wellness, youth development, technology, agriculture and food systems, heirs' property, genealogy, estate planning, asset protection, forestry, conservation, and natural resources.

Our luncheon speaker, Kesha Cobb, CEO of The Sustainability Project Inc. and Agribusiness and Conservation Consultant, will share insights on how community-driven approaches to agriculture can strengthen local food systems and improve food security. Drawing from her experience in urban agriculture, conservation, and agribusiness development, she will highlight practical strategies for building resilient, sustainable food networks that create economic opportunities and empower communities.

To increase accessibility, the Heirs' Property and Natural Resources tracks will also be available virtually for those unable to attend in person.

Whether you are an experienced producer, new landowner, or community partner, this conference offers valuable insights and practical tools to help you sustain and grow your operation while protecting your land and legacy.

We look forward to your participation in this impactful event.

For additional information or to register, please contact Hailey Wilkins at [email protected] or call 870.575.8161 or Kandi Williams at [email protected] or call 870.571.9428.

*This event is being sponsored by UA Hope-Texarkana, UA Division of Agriculture - Hempstead County, and UAPB Small Farm Program

The 16th Annual CEP Horticulture Conference was a tremendous success, bringing together farmers, landowners and agricultural professionals at the Southwest Center in Texarkana, Texas for a full day of learning, networking and empowerment.

The conference kicked off with warm welcome remarks from co-coordinators Brandon Hawkins, PVAMU AGNR Extension agent, and Kandi Williams, UAPB Extension program aide, along with special greetings from Matt Solomon, planning and project management coordinator for the City of Texarkana, Texas.

From aquaponics and pest management to USDA programs and solar energy, attendees gained valuable tools to grow and sustain their operations.

Dr. Yong Park, UAPB associate professor - entomology, delivered an engaging beekeeping 101 session, sharing essential knowledge on starting and sustaining healthy hives. Later, 10-year-old Copper Thompson, a proud 4-H’er who is also known as “Mr. Copper Honey” delivered an inspiring presentation on his personal journey into beekeeping, reminding the audience that passion, dedication and agricultural leadership can begin at any age.

Attendees also enjoyed lunch sponsored by the Silas H. Hunt Community Development Cooperation and Square Watson during which they had the chance to make meaningful connections across the agricultural community.

Thank you to all speakers, partners and participants who made this event a success. We look forward to continuing to empower and support our farmers and landowners.

We invite you to join us Saturday, April 11th, at 10 a.m. (CST), to learn about beekeeping. Our pollinators are important, and when you join us this Saturday, you will learn just how important they are! We hope to see you there!

Get Paid to Strengthen Your Farm Spots are limited—don’t wait. Deadline to apply is April 30th.

Mark your calendars! Farmers, gardeners and agricultural enthusiasts are invited to the 2026 Southwest Arkansas Small Farms Conference in Hope, Arkansas. Hosted by the UAPB: Small Farm Program, the event will bring together experts and producers for a day of learning about topics such as conservation programs, farm management, forestry, and opportunities for small and limited-resource farmers. Join us to network, gain practical insights and strengthen the future of agriculture in Arkansas.
https://uapbnews.wpcomstaging.com/2026/03/09/uapb-to-host-2026-southwest-arkansas-small-farms-conference-in-hope/

Mark your calendars for two upcoming Vegetable Production Workshops, that will be taking place on March 25th and 26th. Please, pay close attention to the locations, one will be held in Pine Bluff on the 25th and the other will be in Marianna on the 26th. Both workshops will be at 9 a.m. (cst). We hope to see you there!

USDA Announces Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Impacted by Unfair Market Disruptions
Specialty Crops Acreage Reporting Deadline for 2025 is March 13


(Washington, D.C., February 13, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. These one-time bridge payments will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. Specialty crop producers have until March 13, 2026, to report 2025 acres to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“President Trump has the backs of our farmers, and today we are building on our Farmer Bridge Assistance program with the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program. Our specialty crop producers continue to feel the negative effects of four years under the Biden Administration, suffering from record inflation, a depleted farm safety net, and delayed disaster assistance,” said Secretary Rollins. “President Trump and the entire cabinet are working every day to fight bidenflation and lower prices for consumers. If our specialty crop producers are not economically able to continue their operations, American families will see a decrease in the food they rely on, wholesome and nutritious fruits and vegetables. Putting Farmers First is essential to the Make America Healthy Again movement and we are doing both at USDA by expanding market opportunities and improving the farm economy for all producers. Today’s specialty crop announcement builds on our efforts to improve markets for real food into American schools, institutions, and family dinner tables.”

The Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and will be administered by FSA.

Eligible Specialty Crops

ASCF-eligible specialty crops include: (A) Almond, Apple, Apricot, Aronia berry, Artichoke, Asparagus, Avocado (B) Banana, Bean (Snap or green; Lima; Dry edible), Beet (Table), Blackberry, Blueberry, Breadfruit, Broccoli (including Broccoli Raab), Brussels Sprouts (C) Cabbage (including Chinese), Cacao, Carrot, Cashew, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Cherimoya, Cherry, Chestnut (for Nuts), Chive, Citrus, Coconut, Coffee, Collards (including Kale), Cranberry, Cucumber, Currant (D) Date, Dry Edible Beans and Peas* (E) Edamame, Eggplant, Endive (F) Feijou, Fig, Filbert (Hazelnut) (G) Garlic, Gooseberry, Grape (including Raisin), Guava (H) Horseradish (K) Kiwi, Kohlrabi (L) Leek, Lettuce, Litchi (M) Macadamia, Mango, Melon (All Types), Mushroom (Cultivated), Mustard and Other Greens 👎 Nectarine (O) Okra, Olive, Onion, Opuntia (P) Papaya, Parsley, Parsnip, Passion Fruit, Pea (Garden; English or Edible Pod; Dry edible), Peach, Pear, Pecan, Pepper, Persimmon, Pineapple, Pistachio, Plum (including Prune), Pomegranate, Potato, Pumpkin (Q) Quince (R) Radish (All Types), Raspberry, Rhubarb, Rutabaga (S) Salsify, Spinach, Squash (Summer and Winter), Strawberry, Suriname Cherry, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard (T) Taro, Tomato (including Tomatillo), Turnip (W) Walnut, Watermelon

*Dry edible beans and peas covered by FBA will not be eligible for ASCF.

ASCF payments are based on reported 2025 planted acres.

Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5 p.m. ET on March 13, 2026. Commodity-specific payment rates will be released by the end of March. Crop insurance linkage will not be required for the ASCF Program. However, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) risk management tools to best protect against price risk and volatility in the future.

More information on ASCF is available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/fba or producers can contact their local FSA county office.

Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program | Farm Service Agency Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.