UofA Marion County Extension - UAEX

08/21/2026

Heads up for a great learning opportunity!

Arkansas Organic Agriculture Upcoming Events Growing Organic in Arkansas: TOPP & Beyond September 8, 9:00 - 4:00 PM DTAS Join us as we share success and challenges from the Arkansas Transition to Organic Partnership (TOPP) project and discuss how we shape the future of organics in Arkansas. Registra...

08/21/2026

To be ready for planting strawberries in the next 4-6 weeks, now is a good time to incorporate any fertilizers you need to apply, form beds, and lay plastic.

It may seem early for some of these tasks, but allowing yourself adequate time will:
🍓allow your fertilizers to begin to break down and be available for uptake by the plants sooner
🍓you won't be rushed to lay plastic
🍓you will have time to get drip irrigation set up and functioning before plants are in the ground

For more information regarding Sustainable Strawberry Production and if you need a refresher on fertilizer calculations, visit our webpage:
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/horticulture/commercial-fruit-production/sustainable-strawberry-production.aspx

08/11/2026

Produce Safety Grower Training – Register Now! 🌱

Join us in person for an informative Produce Safety Grower Training designed for fruit and vegetable producers! Learn about:

✅ Produce safety regulations
✅ Good agricultural practices (GAPs)
✅ Agricultural water & soil amendments
✅ Worker health & hygiene
✅ Wildlife management
✅ Postharvest handling & food safety plans

This training meets the FDA FSMA Produce Safety Rule training requirement for covered farms and can be used for audits. Small and beginning farms and established operations will benefit from attending.

📆 When: September 1, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Where: Market Center of the Ozarks
821 E. Emma Ave. Springdale, AR 72764
💵 Cost: FREE (Includes coffee, lunch, snacks, and materials)
👉 Registration is required

⚠️ Important Details:
✅ Must attend all modules to receive certification
❌ Walk-ins will NOT be accepted
⚠️ Late registrations (❤ days before) may not be accepted
👥 Limited to 20 participants
⏳ Registration Deadline: August 28, 2026
📌 Absentee sign-ups will not transfer to future trainings

The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) focuses on preventing food safety issues before they happen—protecting both farmers and the public food supply. 🌽🥕

➡️ Register here: https: https://tinyurl.com/2s3cb7c8
We look forward to seeing you there! 🌱

Arkansas Department of Agriculture Market Center of the Ozarks Uark Horticulture Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Spring Creek Food Hub

07/20/2026

07/10/2026

Ever wonder why some bug bites itch for days while others fade fast? Or why bugs seem to love you more than your friends? 🦟

06/15/2026

There will be a few Fourth of July Firework Celebrations in Marion County to celebrate 250 years of Independence. They are as follows:

FRIDAY, JULY 3RD – FLIPPIN FIREWORKS FESTIVAL
https://www.cityofflippin.gov/calendar

HICKEY PARK IN FLIPPIN. A full day of fun, food, demonstrations, and live entertainment, concluding with a spectacular fireworks display. Featured musical entertainment provided by Ken Palmer. Entertainment will begin at 6:30 pm and conclude prior to the fireworks show.

SATURDAY, JULY 4TH – INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS SHOW ON BULL SHOALS LAKE
https://www.bullshoals.org/fireworks-show-on-bull-shoals-lake

Fireworks at dark!! Bring your water, lawn chairs and picnic blankets! (Probably bug spray too!) Best places to see the show are at Gaston's Visitor Center Overlook at the Bull Shoals Dam, on the Lakeview side of the Dam at the park, and at the bottom of the Dam. If you have a boat, then anchor out on the lake or park on the White River to get a nice view. The show will begin after dark.
Keep in mind that we expect an increased number of spectators this year and there will be a lot of traffic. Be patient, courteous and understanding. You may have to walk a good ways to get a good place to sit as well. It will be well worth it! We all look forward to seeing the community gather!

SATURDAY, JULY 4TH – YELLVILLE FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577082216757&__cft__[0]=AZbFtDbc_EM-tunFmXnrPwC06xN2ycLcFtGF_7ocfCyFVgTALxOc_tplL6JIzOvtXFAGr-c2G2SqwsFec4N6dRwM1TFpO35wQrj7MCWhA5pf4uKYA4rMGsQXE4y0Hq86fVADY2nV2oMb31kpYBUq0odosi1LoIPpSb9KHfqTlTjN_ULowQhz-ppEXepG7lZ6fzYoZpGBdpF8txyWfTz_88e5&__tn__=-UC%2CP-R

Latest and greatest update on our 250th July 4th celebration!!!!!
Notice! Now we know that we’ll have a very special opening ceremony starting at 6pm. Don’t be late!!!!! Music, events, and fireworks.
It will be at YELLVILLE CITY PARK and we are looking for your donations to help afford fireworks!!!!!
Please send checks to:
Music on the Square,
P. O. Box 431,
Yellville, AR 72687 and put “Fireworks “ on the memo line.
Please and thank you!!!!!!

SATURDAY, JULY 18TH – PYATT, ARKANSAS TO HOST FIREWORKS.
Information will be provided as it becomes available.

03/05/2026

We are conducting a statewide, 10-minute survey to assess community awareness and education needs related to Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) among Arkansas adults. Your feedback will help guide future Extension education efforts and resources.

Please consider taking the survey and sharing it through your county and Extension channels (listservs, social media pages, newsletters) and with local partners as appropriate.

Survey Link: https://uaex.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bvZEx6zXvHny7hs

02/16/2026

Get the Facts: Marion County Special Election 🏛️🗳️

On March 3, 2026, Marion County voters will decide on two local ballot measures regarding a proposed new community center.

Because an informed community is a stronger community, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Public Policy Center has partnered with our local Marion County Extension Office to provide a neutral, research-based fact sheet on these proposals.

What’s on the ballot?
Voters will consider two separate measures:

A 0.5% temporary sales tax & bond issue: To finance up to $16.5 million for the construction of a new community center.

A 0.25% permanent sales tax: To fund the ongoing operation and maintenance of the center, as well as other county general purposes.

Why read the fact sheet?
Our goal is to provide clear, non-biased information. The fact sheet explains how these taxes would affect the current county rate and includes a "Quick Look" at what a FOR or AGAINST vote means for each measure.

Download the full fact sheet here:
🔗https://www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/voter-education/docs/Marion-County-Spring-2026-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Read more on our blog:
🔗 https://www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/ced-blog/posts/2026/february/fact-sheet-available-for-march-marion-county-community-center-sales-tax-bond-issue-election.aspx

02/13/2026

Great time to get the kiddos involved in 4-H!

🐔🥚 Hy-Line Brown Layers are BACK for 4-H Poultry Chain 2026! 🥚🐔

We are excited to announce that this year’s poultry chain birds are Hy-Line Brown high-production layers — known for laying beautiful brown eggs and being excellent additions to any backyard flock!

📅 Deadline to Order: March 11th
📦 Distribution Day: April 8th
📍 Pickup at the Marion County Extension Office

Order Details:
• $27.50 per set (minimum of 15 pullets per box)
• Roosters: $1.50 each (max 5 per participant)
• Ages 5–19 (must be actively enrolled for 2026 in https://4h.zsuite.org/)

The goal of the Arkansas Poultry Chain is to raise the best birds from pickup day through county, district, and state fair. Participants will show their pen of best three pullets at the Marion County Fair — and you can show at State even if you don’t win Grand or Reserve at county!

✅ Sign up and pay online in https://4h.zsuite.org/
OR
💵 Stop by the Extension Office at 313 W. 7th Street in Yellville to pay in person.

These birds are fantastic layers and a great way to build responsibility, skills, and a strong fair project for 2026.

Don’t wait — get your order in before March 11th! 🐓

02/12/2026

Join us for our Beef & Forage Conference March 10th at Cotter School. $10 per person. Learn about Retaining and Developing Heifers; Hay Verification Project; Update on Tick Disease in Arkansas.