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About Us
County Impact Statements - Independence County
Education in Agriculture
Agriculture in Independence County is diverse. Reflecting that diversity, the
Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas, in Independence County
offers educational programs in several different areas including Forages, Beef,
Field Crops, Timber and Horticulture.
Interest in timber has been growing. About 150 people attended the November
Timber Educational meeting at the Experiments Station. Two timber meeting and
two field days are held each year in conjunction with the Ozark Woodlands Owners
Association. Working through this association over $200,000 in grants have been
received in support of timber management and timber education. The Master Tree
Farmer short course was conducted this year with 15 Master Tree Farmers
completing the 7 session, 21 hour course.
Educational efforts in the beef and forage areas included eight meeting
throughout the year focusing on different aspects of cattle management and
forage production. Thistles continue to be a hard to control problem. Along with
two thistle control demonstrations and two meetings on thistle control, agents
helped farmers calibrate sprayers and conducted on site evaluations of weed
control problems.
In field crops, wheat and soybean verification studies were conducted in the
county. A soybean variety test was conducted to illustrate the yields that can
be expected with the different varieties. Irrigation is a growing concern
because of the droughts that occur in almost every growing season. A salt
problem in one area of the county led to the establishment of a water quality
study to determine if irrigation with that water would led to long term salt
problems.
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Timber educational meeting in November at the Livestock and
Forestry Experiment Station
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Impacts
- Each year, Extension sends about 300 soil samples, 100 forage and feed
samples, 50 plant disease samples and 20 water samples to the University lab
in support of agricultural producers.
- Each year the Master Gardener Classes are conducted. Last year, 10 new
Master Gardeners were added to the organization. Master Gardeners conduct
quarterly educational classes on different horticultural topics, maintain
three city beatification projects, conduct a plant sale each spring, and are
currently involved in landscaping the Extension office.
- Bangs vaccination weeks are conduction each spring and fall to help keep
Arkansas a Class Free state.
- Pesticide training sessions are held twice a year to help producers
obtain their pesticide license.
- A Hay show is conducted yearly at the county fair.
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