Fields joins agriculture board
Deacue Fields, head of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has joined the board of the Agriculture Future of America.
Fields’ term is three years, according to a news release.
The Kansas City, Mo., organization aims to develop students into leaders by fostering professionalism, entrepreneurialism and intellectualism. AFA accomplishes this through programs that help students develop professionally, as well as offering scholarships.
The organization’s supporters includes representatives from John Deere, Bunge and Cargill.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Fields is one of two academic representatives on the board. As head of the Division of Agriculture, he oversees both the research and outreach arms of the Land-Grant mission in Arkansas. In his previous post as dean of the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences — which represents the education part of the Land-Grant triad — he was very involved in helping students prepare for careers in agriculture.
“It’s a great honor to be part of this organization, especially since its mission is very much in parallel with what we do in the Division of Agriculture and Bumpers College in terms of leadership and professional development,” Fields said. “The networking possibilities with AFA are limitless.”
Water resources topic at conference
The Arkansas Water Resources Center will co-host its annual conference to address a broad spectrum of water issues including stormwater, source water protection, groundwater and stakeholder perceptions and education.
The conference will be July 16-18 at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences in Fayetteville, according to a news release.
“The conference has expanded in recent years beyond its traditional research focus and our organizing committee has grown, too,” said Brian Haggard, director of the Arkansas Water Resources Center. “This year, our conference has a new name — the Arkansas Agriculture, Forests, and Water Conference.”
The event was previously called the Arkansas Water Resources Conference. Haggard is also a professor of biological and agricultural engineering with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
The Arkansas Water Resources Center collects, analyzes and provides water quality data to support municipalities, state agencies and watershed groups as they develop and implement management plans and practices. Located in Fayetteville, the center is part of a national network of water research centers investigating irrigation, wastewater disposal, groundwater, erosion, pollution and ecosystem problems.
The conference organizing committee includes representatives from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Divisions; the Arkansas Drinking Water and Forests Collaborative; the Beaver Watershed Alliance; the Illinois River Watershed Partnership; and the Arkansas Water Resources Center.
The 2024 conference will cover relevant topics for stakeholders statewide and highlight presentations covering northwest and central Arkansas, as well as the east Arkansas Delta.
The early registration price of $100 includes the T-shirt. The registration price goes up to $200 after July 1, and conference T-shirts will have to be purchased separately if supplies are available. Details: https://aaes.uada.edu.
Caregivers’ support group to meet
The Caregivers Alzheimer’s Support Group Meeting will be held from 11 a.m to noon Monday at Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas, 709 E. Eighth Ave. The topic is Caregiving and the speaker will be Louise Spaunhurst, Alzheimer’s Association Arkansas Chapter volunteer and education facilitator.
To attend virtually, visit https://alz-org.zoom.us/j/97274602333?pwd=pr9G55O8qNfjfM16w1cNLVNKsbaIMv.1 and use Meeting ID: 972 7460 2333 with Passcode: 593925 or One tap mobile at +16469313860,,97274602333#,,,,*593925# U.S.
Details: Carolyn Ferguson at Area Agency, (870) 543-6309.
Locals graduate at academy
Seven students from Jefferson County recently graduated from Arkansas Connections Academy. The class of 554 students collectively earned $900,847 in awards, according to a news release. Students graduated as family and friends cheered them on, while others celebrated during a virtual graduation.
The graduates from the area include:
Ariyah Adams
Carson Bayird
Stormi Funderburk
Kassidi Jester
Iona Smith
KeShaun Campbell
Emily Walton
Not all students from the area may be included for privacy reasons, according to the release.