Ivy Center tour group to meet
The Ivy Center for Education’s 2024 College Tour and Cultural Experience Group will meet from 5-6 p.m. June 13 at the Generator, 435 S. Main St. All participants, parents and chaperons are encouraged to attend. This is the last meeting before the tour, according to a news release. Details: Ivy Center President Mattie Collins at mattie1908@gmail.com or kencol1@msn.com.
Wargo establishes UAM-CTM scholarship
The University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-McGehee has a newly endowed scholarship for students from Desha or Chicot county thanks to a $20,000 gift from Andrew Wargo III.
Wargo, a native of Desha County, established a scholarship for students at UAM-CTM through the gift to the UAM Foundation. Wargo, a licensed pilot with a degree in agriculture, worked for more than 50 years as a farm manager for Baxter Land Co. in Dermott, combining his knowledge of agriculture and aviation to build a successful career, according to a news release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
He was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2021. He also has ties to education, having served as a flight instructor for the ROTC program at the University of Mississippi.
The Andrew Wargo Scholarship will benefit a full-time UAM-CTM student pursuing an education in nursing or allied health. The student must maintain a 2.0 grade point average and demonstrate a strong work ethic and a passion to make a difference in the world.
“I would like to thank Mr. Wargo for his generous scholarship contribution to our students at UAM-CTM. We are excited to award these scholarships to students to help them achieve their academic goals,” said Bob Ware, vice chancellor of UAM-CTM.
UAM Chancellor Peggy Doss offered her thanks to Wargo.
“We are incredibly grateful for Mr. Wargo’s generosity and support toward our students pursuing an education in nursing or allied health at the UAM College of Technology-McGehee,” she said. “The Andrew Wargo Scholarship will make a meaningful impact in their lives and help them achieve their academic and career goals. I extend our sincere appreciation to Mr. Wargo for his commitment to education and investment in the future of our students.”
Details: Jason Henry at henryj@uamont.edu or (870) 460-2130.
Locals graduate at ASMSA
The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts held its 30th annual Commencement for the Class of 2024 on May 18, according to a news release. The following graduates are from southeast Arkansas:
Ze Hoskins of Rison.
Kaiden Daniels of Dumas.
Anara Johnson of Pine Bluff.
Landon Samples and Emily Xiong both of White Hall.
The ceremony honored 111 graduates from 33 Arkansas counties. Details: www.asmsa.org.
Soybean challenge applications open
The application period for the 14th annual Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge is open through Aug. 1. Soybean producers in Arkansas are encouraged to participate in this year’s contest administered by the Arkansas Soybean Association and funded by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, with crop management assistance provided by the University of Arkansas Extension Services.
The 2024 edition of the contest follows the form of previous years in which the state is divided into seven geographic regions or categories, plus one conventional (non-GMO) category, that covers the entire state. These include:
1. Northeast Delta: Mississippi, Crittenden, and East of Crowley’s Ridge in Clay, Greene, Craighead, Poinsett, Cross counties
2. Northeast: Randolph, Lawrence and West of Crowley’s Ridge in Clay, Greene, Craighead, Poinsett, Cross counties
3. White River Basin: Independence, Jackson, Woodruff, White, Monroe counties
4. Central & Grand Prairie: Pulaski, Lonoke, Prairie, Arkansas counties
5. East Central Delta: St. Francis, Lee, Phillips, Desha (Snow Lake Area) counties
6. Southeast Delta: Jefferson, Lincoln, Drew, Ashley, Chicot, Desha counties
7. Western: Remainder of the state
8. Conventional Division: Entire State non-GMO production
Cash prizes for each category will be awarded to the top three producers at the ASA Annual Meeting in January 2025.
First-place contestants in each category will receive a cash prize of $7,500, second-place contestants will receive $5,000, and third-place contestants will collect $2,500. Producers who achieve 100 bushels for the first time are eligible to receive a portion of an additional $5,000 in prize money and a paid registration to the 2025 Commodity Classic in Denver.
Entry forms and contest rules are available upon request from a local county extension agent or by contacting the ASA office at (501) 666-1418. Applications can also be downloaded at https://www.themiraclebean.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-GFTG-Application.pdf.