LITTLE ROCK - Business owners in tourism, agritourism, ecotourism, arts, crafts and hospitality business are invited to bring their ideas to a series of meetings that will focus on issues and policies that may help or hinder the success of small businesses in north-central Arkansas.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The weather may be warm now, but it’s never too early to start thinking about winterizing your pet. Our four-legged furry friends may have thick coats, but the change of season affects them just as much as it does us.

Increased funding for free services to Arkansas businesses

MALVERN, Ark. -The Defense Department has renewed its contract with a unit of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture to continue and expand operation of the Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center (APAC), which serves the entire state from Malvern.

Dry weather spells relief for Arkansas farmers

LITTLE ROCK - After heavy spring rains and flooding delayed planting, then hurricanes damaged crops late in the season, the weather has generally been good as Arkansas farmers begin wrapping up a stressful year. They’re working long hours to get crops out of the field.

Bugs, cleanup, perennial division part of all gardening routine

SEARCY, Ark. - Not all bugs are bad bugs, said Sherri Sanders, White County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Turning the car's 'wash me' graffiti into a green act

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Before applying the hose to clean off the "wash me" message scrawled in the dirt on the back window, take a minute to think green and clean, says Trish Ouei, extension stormwater educator with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

4-H Centennial Celebration wraps up with gala

LITTLE ROCK - More than 700 Arkansas 4-H supporters recently attended the Arkansas 4-H Centennial Celebration gala at The Peabody Hotel in downtown Little Rock. The event was a green tie affair as evidenced by the green bowties and green clover lapel pins worn by attendees. The gala was the culminating event for the yearlong celebration of the Arkansas 4-H centennial.

LITTLE ROCK - Youth across Arkansas will join their counterparts across the country in an experiment with hydrogels that will launch the first annual 4-H National Youth Science Day.
 

Creation of state lotteries to support higher education subject to ballot vote

LITTLE ROCK - When Arkansans head to the polls in November, one issue they will vote on concerns creating state lotteries to support higher education.

Two county agents and a 4-H'er talk about 4-H and fair time

LITTLE ROCK - Just about any county extension agent has loads of stories to share - about 4-H'ers, fair time and the 4-H program in general. Two of them - and a teenaged 4‑H'er - share some of their experiences with us.

Careful choices can prevent fair food fatigue

LITTLE ROCK - Thousands of people come to Little Rock each October for the Arkansas State Fair. While many are competitors in different arts and crafts contests and livestock shows, most are going to have a good time. When you decide to take a break from the midway, the lure of pleasant scents from food vendors may be too tempting to resist.

Children follow parents' lead in choosing nutritious food

MURFREESBORO, Ark. - Children can be tempted by unhealthy treats at the fair, but a parent's responsibility to provide and teach proper nutrition is not just a one-day thing: it is a 365-days-a-year task.

Coping with lactose intolerance includes reading ingredients

TEXARKANA, Ark. - That funny feeling after eating ice cream or drinking milk could be lactose intolerance, but it’ll take a doctor to say for sure, says Carla Haley, Miller County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Firewood season could mean a time to spread the emerald ash borer

LITTLE ROCK - Cooler temperatures and fireplaces go hand-in-hand, but Arkansans should take into account a nasty insect pest before moving firewood this fall, says Dr. Tamara Walkingstick, an extension forester with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.