Ivy to host UAPB industrial tech chief
The Ivy Center for Education’s Future Engineers will present a Fireside Chat with Charles Colen Jr., chairman of the Department of Industrial Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ITMAE) at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
The chat will be held from 6-7 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Generator, 435 S. Main St., according to a news release.
“Dr. Colen will encourage scholars to look at UAPB first before considering other colleges and universities to get a great education. He will share the benefits of majoring in industrial technology, the importance of preparing their minds for high-stake testing and share information about scholarships that are available for scholars who are interested in careers in engineering. Dr. Colen, an alumnus of the UAPB, believes in imparting academic excellence to scholars in area high schools,” according to the release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
He has served as chairperson and coordinator of the ITMAE Department for more than 30 years. He is a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and a Pine Bluff School District Board member. He is married and has four daughters.
“Dr. Colen believes in the value of our youth and puts in the time to help them whenever possible,” said Mattie Collins, president of the Ivy Center.
Seventh- through 12th-graders and parents are encouraged to attend. Those who cannot attend in person may join on Zoom. Use Zoom Meeting ID: 856 8296 4187 and Passcode: 351061. Details: Mattie Collins at mattie1908@gmail.com.
Historical Society to meet
The Jefferson County Historical Society will meet at 2 p.m. Jan. 18 at Lakeside United Methodist Church, 1500 S. Olive St., in the center.
Entrance to the center is through the Laurel Street door on the west side of the church, according to a news release. The speaker will be Joe Dempsey, the new editor and publisher of the Jefferson County Historical Quarterly. Dempsey is also owner of Joe Dempsey Communications Co. The public is invited the meeting.
Women in Workforce event set
United WE, a national, nonpartisan nonprofit, will host a town hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Pine Bluff Library main branch, 600 S. Main St.
The purpose is to hear from women across Southeast Arkansas about the challenges and opportunities they face in the workforce. The event will bring together residents and public officials for a listening and dialogue session centered on strengthening women’s participation in the labor force.
Participants will receive an Amazon gift card as a thank-you for their time and insights, and a complimentary lunch will be provided.
The event is part of a broader statewide listening and learning initiative led by United WE in partnership with Ash Grove. Information from the Pine Bluff event will be synthesized into a qualitative report focused on advancing women’s economic and civic leadership statewide.
Seating is limited to approximately 80 people. Interested participants can register here.
Hay verification program set
Arkansas ranchers, pasture managers and other producers responsible for growing the hay that fuels livestock are invited to participate in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Hay Verification Program in 2026. There’s no cost to participate. The deadline to apply is Jan. 15, according to a news release.
Kacie Gibbins, hay verification coordinator for the Division of Agriculture, said the program is designed to demonstrate the benefits of extension recommendations for economically producing high-yielding, high-quality hay under real field-scale production conditions.
“Producers maintain full control of all management decisions, while receiving guidance from county extension agents and specialists,” Gibbins said.
“This collaborative approach ensures that management practices, including soil fertility, pest control and harvest management are grounded in current research, while remaining practical for everyday farm operations.” Throughout the growing season, county agents collect data including forage stand composition, soil analysis results, input costs, hay yield and forage quality.
This data allows for detailed economic analysis based on input costs, yield performance and a standard market price. The economic analysis helps producers understand the profitability of their management strategies and evaluate the return on recommended practices.
Producers interested in participating should visit 2026-28 AHVP Producer Submission. Fill out form to apply. Applicants will then be contacted by their local Cooperative Extension Service agent.