Early planting and favorable weather led to a record rice harvest this year for 1881 Farms south of Gillett. Owner Curtis Fox leans on a varied vocational history to operate, raise yields and make 13-hour harvest days a delight.
Agriculture industry stakeholders gathered Friday to celebrate the grand opening of the UofA Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Center Director Tim Burcham and Farm Bureau President Dan Wright all spoke about the importance and impact the facility will have in northeast Arkansas. Vital research will be conducted to better help producers in the area, as well as provide extension-based education on the value of Arkansas rice.
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 Taggart family has been farming rice for six generations in Augusta and this year will be the 113th rice crop their family has produced. Fifth generation farmer Krista Taggart and her nephew, Jacob, talk about the history of their family and the difference in farming over a century later.
Tailgating season is in full swing, which means it's also dip season. Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Agents Leigh Ann Bullington and Stephanie Prince have an easy-to-make and tasty Artichoke Rice Dip that utilizes rice, one of Arkansas's biggest exports. Watch to find out how to make this delicious pre-game treat.
A wet spring has led to a later harvest, but combines are now cranking in many Arkansas rice fields. Craighead County farmer Joe Christian says that yields are good at "around 190-200 ... Better than expected." Watch more in this update from his farm in Cash.
The Natural State is known as the birthplace of the largest food retailer in the world and the home of the Arkansas Razorbacks, but it is also known for the diverse landscapes and climates found in each region of the state. It’s this diversity, in fact, that allows Arkansas to produce a wide range of crops and is a major reason why agriculture is the state’s top industry.
On family farms, there's something for everyone to do, including the kids. Joshua Roberts is one of those farm kids, and whether it's holding down rice gates as they’re installed, or "clowning" around, he knows his part well. We met up with Joshua so he could show us how his family installs rice gates.
As rice planting wraps up, we caught up with Dr. Jarrod Hardke of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture to get an update on how this year's season is shaping up, and to get his thoughts on what lies ahead for the rice crop and Arkansas rice growers.
