UAPB Hosts Southwest Arkansas Small Farms Conference at UAHT

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff hosted the Southwest Arkansas Small Farms Conference at Hempstead Hall on Wednesday (4-17).   Opening with an introduction by Akili Moses Israel, the conference speakers talked about such issues as the farm bill, broadband coverage, and applying for grants and loans. There was also information on connecting with the schools, both for supplying food and providing an important market for the crops as well as educating school children.  Other topics covered included using cover crops in helping with drought and weed suppression, producing value added products (such as breads, jams, etc.), management of feral hogs, clearing land title and ensuring the heirs were able to use the land, and many other issues.

Starting with a general conference at 8:30am, at 10am it split up into four different rooms where participants could choose between topics such as land title, agriculture, business opportunities and community involvement.

One speaker talked about the importance of schools in terms of a food venue and another talked about which cover crops to use.  There was a discussion about rye suppressing the growth of future crops as opposed to clover will help them to grow. As the conference was aimed at smaller farms, a third speaker talked about minority farming and how much could be produced on a small amount of land. Fish for stock ponds and housing support were other topics discussed.

Lunch was catered by Shebas.