RESEARCH RECAP
Planting an interest in Agriculture
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By Carol Sanders | PHOTOS BY BRAD MAYHUGH
ynonymous with summertime at land-grant institutions are agriculture field days. They have passed the test of time as effective teaching/learning tools to become traditions. Field days combine the experience and expertise of university researchers, scientists and sometimes early Clockwise from top left: Field day participants adopter farmers to demonstrate, showcase and update farmers, took tractor tours to agriculture professionals, industry leaders and the public on learning stations to hear researchers and specialists agricultural management practices. like Dr. Yong Park, As a land-grant university, the University of Arkansas at Pine associate professor, who Bluff (UAPB) is no exception. UAPB hosts at least one major discusses the effectiveness of herb plants as pest agriculture field day a year alternating between its 260-acre barriers on vegetables. research farm in Pine Bluff and its 871-acre research farm in Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Lonoke. Some field days Hollingsworth was the field take on an almost festive day luncheon speaker. She “Learning takes place as participants and discussed the importance atmosphere with good food, presenters interact, and researchers often of locally grown food and demonstrations, exhibits, what her office is doing to come away with new ideas for research displays and politicians. get more of it on the tables of Pine Bluff residents. projects,” says Dr. Edmund Buckner, associate Highlighted at UAPB’s dean for 1890 programs, professor and 2013 agriculture field day this year was the progress of field day coordinator. leveling the playing field for Arkansas sweetpotato growers – the multiplication of virus-tested sweetpotatoes. Growers need virus-tested slips in time to allow for the 90 to 120 day growing season. For years, growers had to rely on neighboring states for slips. Other highlights included the latest findings in multiple species (cattle and goats) stocking and grazing for optimum combinations for efficient use of scarce feed resources, the feeding of crop byproducts to goats and cattle, a display and samples of value-added products created in the UAPB value added laboratory, and the evaluation of ornamental, flowering and nursery plants for adaptation in the lower Mississippi Delta region. Antique tractors belonging to members of the Central Arkansas Two Cylinder Club and the Central Arkansas Antique Machinery and Historical Society of Grant County were on display. Awards were presented in several categories to show participants. The field day was dedicated to Mrs. Elnora L. Bradford, associate for administration, for her 49 years of service to the students, staff, faculty and clientele of UAPB and the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences. Mrs. Jimmie Lee Edwards, retired Extension specialist – home improvement, was remembered at field day for her A favorite at field day is the antique tractor show. Primary exhibitors are members of the Central Arkansas Two Cylinder Club and the Central Arkansas Antique contributions to UAPB and the lives she touched. Machinery and Historical Society of Grant County Field day was sponsored by the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences and the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. 20
PRIDE Magazine • University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff