GOP announces meetings
Arkansas Republicans have announced upcoming meetings. The following will be held in southeast Arkansas:
JEFFERSON COUNTY GOP
March 26 — 6 p.m. at 7401 Dollarway Road in White Hall. Contact: Chairman David Singer, dlsinger1963@gmail.com.
LINCOLN COUNTY GOP
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
March 26 — 7 p.m. at 407 N. Lincoln Ave., Star City. Contact: Chairwoman Rebekah DeWitt, rsdewitt76@gmail.com.
ARKANSAS COUNTY GOP
March 24 — 6 p.m. at 1901 S. Park Ave., Stuttgart. Contact: Chairman Jim Smith, jimsmith1947@yahoo.com
DALLAS COUNTY GOP
March 24 — 6:30 p.m. at 1621 Arkansas 128, Sparkman. Contact: Chairman Brady Harmon, bharmon@swprobation.com.
BBQ and CLEs set at law session
Stephen Alexander Vaden, the United States deputy secretary of agriculture, will keynote the 2026 Mid-South Ag and Environmental Law Conference set for June in Memphis, Tenn.
The conference is co-hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation. It’s being held at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
The conference, now in its 13th year, is the premier source for environmental and agricultural policy and legal updates for the Mid-South, according to a news release.
This year’s conference has several components:
May 13 — An early bird virtual session, where attorneys can earn required continuing legal education hours.
June 4 — “Next Generation of Ag & Food Law: Roundtable for Students,” offering law students an opportunity to engage with practitioners and explore career pathways in agricultural law.
June 4 — Beer and BBQ reception at Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous.
June 5 — Main conference schedule.
“Where else can attorneys get BBQ and CLEs?” said Harrison Pittman, NALC director. “We’re glad to have Deputy Secretary Vaden. He’s been a fan favorite at this conference, and we are eager to hear about the insights he’s gained as USDA deputy secretary.”
Registration is open online, and a livestream option will be available. Those who register by May 12 can take part in the “Early Bird” session with three hours of bonus CLE and CE.
“We are grateful for our partnership with the NASDA Foundation, which is helping fuel the growth of this conference and sharpening its relevance for participants and all in the agriculture and food industries,” Pittman said.
The NASDA Foundation is an educational and research organization that serves the nation’s state departments of agriculture.
Registration details, agenda information and continuing education accreditation are available on the conference website.
Explore careers on Ag Leaders Tour
For Arkansas college juniors and seniors pursuing agriculture-related majors, the Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour provides a unique opportunity to explore careers in the state’s top industry and network with potential employers.
The tour, scheduled for May 11-15, will include stops at JBS Foods in Russellville, Riceland in Stuttgart, Greenway Equipment in Newport, and Anheuser-Busch in Jonesboro. There are 50 spots available for the 2026 tour, and participation is free.
The professional development opportunity is a program of the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach branch of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, according to a Division of Agriculture.
Transportation, lodging and food are provided through the support of the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board, the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board. Participants must register by May 8 at https://uada.formstack.com/forms/aragleaders.
“We are so grateful to these commodity promotion boards for their support of the Future Ag Leaders Tour,” said Julie Robinson, extension professor of community, professional and economic development for the Division of Agriculture. “Because of them, we have been able to provide this incredible experience to more than 80 Arkansas college students over the past five years. Many of these students have gone on to find employment with the companies that served as tour stops, and this has strengthened the future of agriculture in our state.”
The 2026 tour will kick off with a day of professional and leadership development activities at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock. Over the next four days of the tour, students will travel around the state and visit farms, processing facilities, lumber companies, farm agencies and more.
For current students, Robinson said she encourages them to take advantage of the doors this program can open to future careers and industry connections.
“Arkansas agriculture needs your ideas, your energy and your leadership,” she said. “The Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour is a chance to see firsthand where you can make an impact, connect with industry leaders and discover the many career paths shaping our state’s future. If you’re a junior or senior wondering what’s next, this experience can help you find your place in something bigger.”
Visit the Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour page for more information or contact Robinson at jrobinson@uada.edu.