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On this episode of the Arkansas AgCast, we recap the annual Officers & Leaders Conference and celebrate two of this year’s Arkansas Young Farmers & Ranchers award winners. Plus, we share information on a new USDA grant program designated for the forestry industry, details on a virus in the state that could impact equine and more.

The Asian Longhorned Tick has been a subject of surveillance and research for the University of Arkansas and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Hear from assistant professor Emily McDermott on the identifying characteristics of the tick and what to do if they find their way into your herd.

La Grange Lavender Co. was a retirement dream but has quickly become a full-fledged lavender farm near Eureka Springs. Matt and Kat Nickles first planted lavender two years ago and have expanded, opening a café serving refreshing lavender treats and drinks. Watch to find out more about this beautiful, aromatic crop and farm.

Justin and Laycee Story of Cauthron (Scott County) and Hannah Walker of Henderson (Baxter County) earned the top Young Farmers & Ranchers awards Thursday during Arkansas Farm Bureau’s annual Officers & Leaders Conference at the Red Wolf Convention Center in Jonesboro. The awards honor young farmers and ranchers ages 18-35 for the general excellence of their operations and their hard work and innovation.

Jamison Orchards is nearing a century of peach production in Nashville, Arkansas. Now famous for their delicious fruit, Lou Jamison talks about the struggles and successes in her 40-plus year career raising peaches.

Henry Witcher, 15, and Shannon Bateman, 13, won in their respective categories in the 2024 Arkansas Farm Bureau Dairy Foods Cooking Contest on July 18 at the state fairgrounds in Little Rock.

Jase Sheppard, 11, and Caitlin Cooper, 16, won in their respective categories in the 2024 Arkansas Farm Bureau Rice is Nice Cooking Contest on July 18 at the state fairgrounds in Little Rock.

The Medical Applications of Science for Health (M*A*S*H) camp recently gave Fort Smith-area students the opportunity to have face-to-face interactions with first responders. This helped students understand the responsibilities of emergency workers, firefighters, and police in protecting and saving lives. Arkansas Farm Bureau has sponsored M*A*S*H programs across the state for 36 years, helping introduce high school students to careers in the medical field.

Meet the finalist! Hannah Walker and her husband Cody run a cow-calf operation near Mountain Home. On weekdays, Hannah works within the Mountain Home School district, and on the weekends she and Cody operate County Line Beef, LLC, a direct-to-consumer beef operation. Hannah and her family look to be the face of agriculture in their community. Their two kids Claire and Charlie are active on the farm and in 4-H.