Agriculture staff to present at events
More than a dozen faculty and staff with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will address attendees at a series of concurrent agricultural education conferences in Memphis.
The National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice, Southern Soybean and Corn, Delta States Irrigation and the Southern Precision Ag Conferences are each scheduled to be held Jan. 27-28 at the Hilton Memphis. The Division of Agriculture is among the seven academic co-sponsors, according to a news release.
Division of Agriculture speakers include:
Nick Bateman, associate professor, extension entomologist;
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Fred Bourland, professor of plant breeding and genetics, cotton breeder;
Tom Barber, director, Jackson County Extension Center, extension weed scientist;
Chuck Capps, corn and grain sorghum research verification coordinator;
Jason Davis, assistant professor, extension remote sensing and pesticide application specialist;
Gerson Drescher, assistant professor, soil fertility;
Christian DeGuzman, assistant professor-rice breeding and genetics;
Elvis Elli, assistant professor of crop physiology and adaptation to climate change;
Mike Hamilton, irrigation education instructor;
Jarrod Hardke, professor and extension rice agronomist;
Chris Henry, associate professor and extension water management engineer;
Jason Kelley, professor and extension wheat and feed grains agronomist;
Nick Newberry, program associate NE Rice Research and Extension Center;
Aurelie Poncet, assistant professor of precision agriculture and remote sensing;
Xueyan Sha, professor of plant rice and genetics;
Terry Spurlock, associate professor and extension plant pathologist;
Nathan Slaton, associate vice president for agriculture;
Ben Thrash, assistant extension entomologist;
Zachary Treadway, assistant professor and extension peanut and cotton agronomist;
Caio Vieira, assistant professor of soybean breeding.
The 2025 conference marks the 28th year that the Division of Agriculture, has co-sponsored these conferences with Auburn University, LSU AgCenter, Mississippi State University, University of Missouri, University of Tennessee and Texas A&M University.
Keynote speaker Jim Wiesemeyer is a frequent contributor to profarmer.com and is a participant in Farm Journal’s Agri-Talk radio program. He will provide the latest information on agricultural policy and trade development. Wiesemeyer serves as a Washington analyst for Pro Farmer and Farm Journal.
In addition to the major commodities, topics covered include soil health, regenerative agriculture, pest management, precision agriculture and 14 presentations on irrigation alone. There are six round table breakout sessions addressing soil testing and health, soil moisture sensors, drones and regenerative cotton. Certified Crop Advisors can choose from more than 70 CEU courses in various disciplines.
John LaRose Jr., conference steering committee chairman, said the conference will offer perspective on a wide variety of farming concerns.
For details or registration,visit www.nctd.net or phone (573) 547-2244.
Reception set for 2025 Small Works
The Arkansas Arts Council will host an opening reception for the 2025 Small Works on Paper touring exhibition from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 30 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Wingate Center of Art + Design.
The reception will feature presentations by artists who are part of the exhibition. The reception is free and offers a first-time look at works from established and emerging visual artists. Refreshments will be served, according to a news release.
Artists in the 2025 exhibition include: Alexia Lams, Pine Bluff; Jennifer Barnett, Little Rock; Maria Botti Villegas, El Dorado; Susan Chambers, Little Rock; Nathan Cook, Conway; Laura Dowling, Little Rock; L.S. Eldridge, Rogers; Sean Fitzgibbon, Fayetteville; Terra Fondriest, St. Joe; Kaci Hazen, Magnolia; Dani Ives, Rogers; Will Lang, Russellville; Melissa “Mo” Lashbrook, Cabot; Rhaelene Lowther, Magnolia; Kiaya Luper, Van Buren; Dennis McCann, Maumelle; Cheryl McMickle, Marianna; David McRoberts, Sherwood; David Mudrinich, Russellville; Lo Patt, Little Rock; David Rackley, Russellville; Robert Reep, Little Rock; Lynn Reinbolt, Searcy; Krista Schoening, Little Rock; Kasten Searles, Little Rock; Trevor Segraves, Siloam Springs; Gary Simmons, Hot Springs; Derek Slagle, Little Rock; Richard Stephens, Hot Springs; Lam Tze Sheung, Little Rock; Equilla Walker, Little Rock; Carissa Watson, North Little Rock; Steven Wise, Rogers; Mark Wittig, Sherwood.
The artwork will be on view from Jan. 13, through Feb. 16, at the Windgate Center. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, according to a news release.
Small Works on Paper is a juried visual art exhibition that showcases artwork no larger than 18- by-24 inches. Details: www.ArkansasArts.org.