Buster Passmore 11-Years Old | Straight-A Student | Grower of Huge Pumpkins ArFB’s Jenny Higgs recently visited Buster at home in Bono to get his secrets for growing prize-winning giant pumpkins. Buster's Garden has produced gourds big enough to win the UAEX Giant Pumpkin Contest two years in a row, beating the competition by more than 100 pounds each year. For more pumpkin and gardening tips from Buster, visit his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/groups/BustersGarden.

Dr. Phil Tappe is retiring at the end of the year following 30 years at the University of Arkansas-Monticello, the past 11 years as Dean of the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Ken Moore spoke with him about his accomplishments and the growth of the College during his tenure.

September 17 is National Teach Agriculture Day. Kristyn Sheets, agriculture instructor and FFA Advisor at Magnet Cove High School shares why she is passionate about being an ag educator and why teaching young people about our state’s largest industry is so important.

The ArFB AgTech Training Lab recently made its first stop of the school year at Morrilton High School. The trailer holds three simulators that allow students to experience industrial equipment being used in the workforce and earn credit toward certifications. The trailer remains at each school for one week, allowing time for students to get some experience in the simulators. The schedule calls for the AgTech Training Lab to visit 36 other schools throughout the school year.

Construction on a new poultry education center at Southern Arkansas University is nearing completion. The facility will add "hands on" poultry education to the growing agriculture program at Southern Arkansas University. Dr. Jeff Miller, chairman of the SAU Agriculture Department, explains why poultry education is needed to train future professionals for this important industry in Arkansas.

Rip Weaver, program assistant with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, spoke with us about ways the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed state agencies into the digital age, with in-person meetings, trainings, farm tours and other activities taking a back seat to virtual get-togethers.

We talked to Dr. Karen Ballard, professor of program evaluation for the Cooperative Extension Service’s Community, Professional & Economic Development Department, and Dr. Julie Robinson, associate professor in the Community, Professional & Economic Development Department, about their work on virtual teaching and professional meetings and how use of this technology is expanding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sara Gardner is a University of Arkansas junior double-majoring in agriculture economics and international economics. In this Agcast Video Extra, she discusses being named to the National 4-H Council's Alumni Advisory Board, her passion for Arkansas agriculture and work with Arkansas veterans.

Faith Fritch of Benton County was recently elected president of Arkansas 4-H. She spoke with us to discuss her goals for her time in office and why members across the state should look forward to this year in 4-H, despite COVID-19.

Valerie Lawson, a family and consumer science teacher at Clinton High School in Van Buren County, is Arkansas Farm Bureau's 2020 Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher. She joined us to talk about the many ways she incorporates agriculture in her students' curriculum.