Keynotes provided by Lisa Chase, The University of Vermont, Extension Professor: Natural Resources Specialist and Director of the Vermont Tourism Research Center.
AGENDA
Thursday, January 30th, Hot Springs Convention Center
8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Booth Vendors Move In, Hot Springs Convention Center, Halls A and B
8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Registered Vendors and Attendees Check-In, Hall A Concourse
WELCOME LUNCH AND KICKOFF, HALL C
11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Marketing Strategically: Opportunities and Challenges, Speaker Ron Rainey, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UADA) Extension
Introductions to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Agriculture Associations
Boxed Lunch provided by Turf Catering, Food Voucher provided with registration
BLUEBERRY SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Blueberry Growers Association
Meeting Rooms 201/202
1:30 pm: Blueberry Plant Establishment, Speaker Ryan Neal , University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Extension
2:00 pm: Experience Growing Blueberry in Pots, Speaker Cailin Irby, UADA Center for Arkansas Farm and Foods
2:30 pm: Weed Control, Speaker Hannah Wright, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
3:00 pm: 2024 Blueberry Variety Trial Results, Speaker Keilah Barney, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
3:30 pm: Career Retrospective: How To Be Successful With Blueberries, Speaker Patrick Byers, University of Missouri
4:30 pm: Grower Profile: Wye Mountain Berries, Speaker Blaine Burgess
GRAPE AND WINE PRODUCTION SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Association of Grape Growers
Meeting Rooms 203/204
1:30 pm: Introductions and Arkansas Association of Grape Growers Annual Meeting
2:00 pm: Potential For Fresh-Market Muscadine Production in Arkansas, Speaker Matt Wilson, Ritter Ag
2:30 pm: Winter Hardiness for Muscadine Grapevines Grown in Arkansas, Speaker Dr. Amanda McWhirt, UA System Cooperative Extension Service
3:15 pm: Potential for High Tunnels in Grape Production and Funding/Training Opportunities, Speaker Taunya Ernst, UA System Cooperative Extension Service
3:45 pm: Weed Management in Grape Vineyards, Speaker Hannah Wright Smith, Weed Specialist, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
4:15 pm: Winery and Vineyard Highway Signage Process, Speaker Gene Long, Sassafras Spring Vineyard and Winery
4:45 pm: Update on Vitis x Muscadinia Research and Extension Project, Speaker Renee Threlfall, UA System Food Science Department
TOURISM SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Agritourism Association
Meeting Room 207
1:00 pm: The Global Impact of Agritourism: History, Future and Trends Nationally and Globally, Speaker Lisa Chase
1:45 pm: The Challenges and Solutions Panel to Smooth the Road Ahead
Panel Discussion:
Liability Considerations – Overview of The Agritourism Law, What it Covers and the Operators Responsibilities
Safety – Farm and Food-Resources At Your Reach, Speakers Stacey McCullough, Amanda Perez, Renee Jeffreys
Marketing with Tourism – Speaker Susie Cowan, ArTourism
Business Planning – Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
New Opportunities in Agritourism – Farm To Table, Arts and Heritage, Bird Watching and Beyond
3:00 pm: Panel Break Out Session, Top Concerns
4:15 pm: Call to Order of Arkansas Agritourism Association Annual Meeting
VEGETABLE SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts
Meeting Rooms 208/209
1:30 pm: Using Integrated Pest Management to Make Money Growing Squash, Pumpkins and Melons, Speaker Aaron Cato, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
2:30 pm: Arkansas Seedless Watermelon and Cantaloupe Variety Trials, Speaker Matt Bertucci, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
3:00 pm: How to Minimize Pest Losses in Tomato, Speaker Aaron Cato, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
4:00 pm: Post-Harvest Handling of Vegetables, Speaker Amanda Perez, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
4:30 pm: Carrot BBQ Sauce – Developing Niche Products with Arkansas Grown Vegetables, Speakers Andrea Myers and Renee Threlfall, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
HAPPY HOUR AND RECEPTION WITH VENDORS, HALLS A AND B
5:00 – 6:30: Mingle and Enjoy Locally Sourced Food, Live Music, and Beverages
Friday, January 31st, Hot Springs Convention Center
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Expo Open, Halls A and B
8:00 am – 9:30 am: Morning Refreshments, Halls A and B
ARKANSAS FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION
Meeting Rooms 201/202
9:00 am: Arkansas Department of Health Food Freedom & Farmers Market Regulations, Speaker Jeff Jackson
9:30 am: Arkansas Farmers Market Association attendees are encouraged to attend USDA Local Food Program Panel
10:30 am: Home-Based Value Added Product, Speaker David Hill, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
ARKANSAS FARM TO SCHOOL
Meeting Rooms 203/204
9:00 am: Welcome, Speaker Jessica Chapman, Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Sheila Chastain, Arkansas Department of Education
9:15 am: Purchasing Local Through School Nutrition Programs, Speaker Melissa Campbell, United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
10:00 am: From Soil to School: A Producer’s Path to the Cafeteria, Speaker Randy Arnold, Strawberry Growers Association
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Meeting Room 205
9:00 am: Regenerative Agriculture, Speaker Robin Ralston, Ralston Farms
9:30 am: Resilient Food Structures Infrastructure, Resilient Food Business Center, and United States Department of Agriculture Local Foods Program Panel – Amy Lyman, Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Angela Gardner, USDA Agriculture Marketing Service, Brenda Williams, Communities Unlimited, Amanda Philyaw Perez, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
10:30 am: Local Food Supply Chain Development – Market and Grower Panel, Liz Bell, WSBZ Farms, Loretta Cochran, Farindale Farms, Mary Admire, The Front Porch Market, Dr. Darryl Holliday, Arkansas Food Innovation Center at the Market Center of the Ozarks
STRAWBERRY SESSION
Hosted by Mid-America Strawberry Growers Association
Meeting Room 207
9:00 am: Welcome To Mid-America Strawberry Growers Association/ Beginners Session
9:45 am: My IPM App and the Insect and Disease Photo Guide, Rebecca Melanson, Mississippi State University Extension
10:15 am: Botrytis and Anthracnose Resistance Testing, Speaker Rebecca Melanson
VEGETABLE SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Horticulture Association and Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts
Rooms 208/209
9:00 am: MyIPM Vegetable App, Speaker Rebecca Melanson, Mississippi State Extension
10:00 am: Identifying Weeds and Integrated Weed Management, Speaker Hannah Wright Smith, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
10:30 am: Grower Resource Panel, Speakers from the Conservation Districts, Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Development, Southern Risk Management
GENERAL SESSION, HALL C
11:00 am: Working Together to Embrace the Natural State – Hosted by Arkansas Agritourism Association
Panel Discussion, National Agriculture Law Center, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension, Arkansas Hospitality Association, Arkansas Tourism Association, Arkansas Heritage
LUNCH, HALLS A/B CONCESSION AREA
12:00 – 1:30 pm: Lunch with Vendors, Concessions by Turf Catering, food voucher provided with registration
ARKANSAS FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION
Meeting Rooms 201/202
1:30 pm: AFMA Overview & Double Up Food Bucks
2:00 pm: Farmers Market Presentations, Speaker Shelly Smith, Rogers
2:30 pm: Farmers Market Presentations, Speaker Pauline Rescorl, Eureka Springs
3:00 pm: Farmers Market Presentations, Speaker Jeff Quick, Mt. Home
3:30 pm: Farmers Market Presentations, Speaker Katy Elliot, Arkansas Local Food Network
4:00 pm: Open Discussion
ARKANSAS FARM TO SCHOOL
Meeting Rooms 203/204
1:30 pm: Local Food Prep in the School Kitchen, Speakers Courtney Erick, Arkansas Department of Education and Aly Mrachek, Lunchassist
3:00 pm: Interactive Panel – Overcoming Barriers in Farm to School Procurement
Produce Producer – Speaker Ekko Barnhill, Barnhill Orchards
Protein Producer – Speaker John Wahrmund, Wahrmund Farms
Procurement Expert – Speaker Ally Mrachek, Lunchassist
Marketing Expert – Speaker Kat Daniels, Arkansas Brand Developer
Dismiss to Hall C for Jennifer Maune Presentation and Reception
Hall C
4:00 – 5:00 pm: Scratch Cooking – Making An Impact Beyong the Lunch Tray, Speaker Jennifer Maune CC CPC
5:00 – 6:00 pm: Taste of Arkansas Networking Reception – Invitation Only, For Producers and Child Nutrition Directors
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Meeting Room 205
1:30 pm: Natural Resources Conservation Service: Conservation District – Feral Hog Grant, Tax Credit Program
2:00 pm: Introduction to Produce Safety – Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices, and Third Party; Speaker Amanda Philyaw Perez
2:30 pm: Food Safety Modernization Act Product Safety Rule – New Preharvest Ag Water Rule Requirements, Speaker Amanda Philyaw Perez
3:00 pm: University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Programs, Speaker Dr. Henry English and Karen Lee
3:30 pm: Marketing and Business Planning, Speakers Cory Babb of Firelight Farm and Kyle Manning of Fat Rabbit Farm
4:00 pm: From Soil to Sustainability: Actively Merging S.T.E.M. and Agriculture Education to Build Financial Futures and Cultivate Community Resilience, Speaker Coach A, Zeps Garden
4:30 pm: Arkansas Apiary Laws and Bee Health, Speakers Jacob Bates and John Martin, Arkansas Department of Agriculture
STRAWBERRY SESSION
Hosted by Mid-America Strawberry Growers Association
Meeting Room 207
1:30 pm: Plant Future, Speaker Jim Goodson
2:00 pm: Strawberry Soil Test Lime and Fertility, David Dycus, FCI North Carolina
2:45 pm: Strawberry Fertility Trial Updates, Speaker Amanda McWhirt, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
3:00 pm: Disease Spray Program and Drone Spraying, Speaker Aaron Cato, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
3:45 pm: Neo Pest Disease Update, Speaker David Dycus, FCI North Carolina
4:30 pm: Open Discussion
AFTERNOON REFRESHMENTS, HALLS A AND B
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Mingle with Vendors
HIGH TUNNEL SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Horticulture Society
Meeting Rooms 208/209
1:30 pm: Introduction to High Tunnel Production, Speaker Taunya Ernst, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
2:30 pm: Incorporating a High Tunnel Onto Your Farm, Speaker Terry Kirkpatrick
3:00 pm: Winter High Tunnel Production, Speaker Taunya Ernst and Aaron Cato, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
3:45 pm: The High Tunnel EQIP Program, A Grower’s Experience, Speaker Sarah Shelton-James
4:30 pm: High Tunnel Design Considerations, Speaker Taunya Ernst, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
HOSPITALITY SUITE, HOTEL HOT SPRINGS
6:00 – 8:00 pm: Hosted by Arkansas Agritourism Association
Saturday, February 1, Hot Springs Convention Center
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Expo Open, Halls A and B
8:00 am – 9:30 am: Morning Refreshments, Halls A and B
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Arkansas Grown Arkansas Made Market Open, Hall B
PECAN SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Pecan Growers Association
Meeting Rooms 201/202
9:00 am: Optic Sorting for Pecan Quality, Speaker John Bruhl, Bruhl Farms
9:30 am: Pecan Market and Ask Charlie! Speaker Dr. Charlie Graham, Noble Research Institute
10:00 am: Pecan Crop Load Management, Speaker Becky Carrol, Oklahoma State University
EMERGING CROPS SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Horticulture Society
Meeting Rooms 203/204
8:00 am: Arkansas State Horticulture Society Annual Meeting
9:00 am: Growing Cut Flowers On Your Farm, Anthony Bowden, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
10:00 am: The Return of a Superfood, the Ozark Chinquapin Tree, Speakers Chris Wyatt and Steve Bost, The Ozark Chinquapin Foundation
BLACKBERRY SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Blackberry Association
Meeting Room 207
9:00 am: Start-up Costs and Basics of Establishment, Speaker Ryan Neal, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
9:30 am: Grower Experience with Establishment on RCA, Speaker Linam
10:00 am: Tips for Beginning Blackberry Growers, Speaker Patrick Byers, University of Missouri Extension (retired)
ORGANIC SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts
Meeting Rooms 208/209
9:00 am: Thinking About Getting Certified? Where to Start, Speakers Joe Hannan, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Center for Arkansas of Farms and Food, Brendan Sinclair & Liesel McCleary, Snuggle Bug Farm
10:00 am: Weed Management the Organic Way, Speakers Mike Appel & Emily Oakley, Three Springs Farm, and Brendan Sinclair & Liesel McCleary , Snuggle Bug Farm
GENERAL SESSION, HALL C
11:00 am: The Faces of Arkansas Agriculture– Hosted by Arkansas Agritourism Association
Panel Discussion Topics Include Farm To Table, Young Farmers, Homesteaders, Farmers Markets, Food Deserts, Slow Food, Micro Farms, Encore Careers
Keynotes provided by Lisa Chase, The University of Vermont, Extension Professor: Natural Resources Specialist and Director of the Vermont Tourism Research Center.
LUNCH WITH VENDORS, HALL A/B CONCESSION AREA
Concessions by Turf Catering, food voucher provided with registration
PECAN SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Pecan Growers Association
Meeting Rooms 201/202
1:30 pm: Update on Tri-County Pecan Programs, Speaker Sherri and Kyle Sanders, University of Arkansas
2:30 pm: Pecan Tissue Sampling and Nutrient Analysis, Speaker Dr. Amanda McWhirt, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
3:00 pm: Growers Forum, Speakers Greg Rusher, Jacob Feather, Phil Ward, John Bruhl, Anna Jeter
4:00 pm: Arkansas Pecan Growers Association Annual Meeting
EMERGING CROPS SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Horticulture Society
Meeting Rooms 203/204
1:30 pm: Growing Elderberries, Speaker Patrick Byers, University of Missouri Extension (retired)
2:30 pm: University of Arkansas Pine Bluff New and Beginning Farmer Program, Speaker Dr. Henry English, Director of University of Pine Bluff Small Farm Program
2:45 pm: Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Project/2501 Program, Speaker Karen Lee, University of Pine Bluff Program Specialist
3:00 pm: Spots, Oozes, adn Rots: A Brief Overview of Apple Disease Management Challenges in the Southeast, Speaker Sara Villani, North Carolina State University
4:00 pm: How to Safely and Successfully Produce Elderberry Products, Speaker Sun Ferreira, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
4:30 pm: Exploring Hydroponics: Commercial and Home, Speaker Derek Reed, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
BLACKBERRY SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Blackberry Association
Meeting Room 207
1:15 pm: Arkansas Blackberry Association Annual Meeting
1:30 pm: Caneberry Disease Management Including Fusarium and Spur Blight, Speaker Sara Villani, North Carolina State University
2:20 pm: Blackberry Variety Recommendations, Speaker Dr. Jackie Lee, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Fruit Research Station
3:00 pm: Value Added Considerations and Rules, Speaker Sun Ferreira, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
3:30 pm: Updated Recommendations on Fertility Management, Speaker Dr. Amanda McWhirt, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
4:00 pm: Insect Control in Blackberry, Speaker Aaron Cato, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
4:30 pm: General Q&A from Audience
ORGANIC SESSION
Hosted by Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts
Meeting Rooms 208/209
1:30 pm: Putting Cover Crops to Work, Speakers Dr. Amanda McWhirt, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension, Mike Appel & Emily Oakley, Three Springs Farm
3:00 pm: Talking Shop: Successes, Challenges, Vendors and Varieties – Farmer discussion facilitated by Heather Friedrich, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Center of Arkansas for Farms and Food
AFTERNOON REFRESHMENTS, HALLS A AND B
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Mingle with Vendors