First Annual Agricultural/Water Management Field Day

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Water Management Center (NWMC) and conservation partners hosted the first Small Farm Outreach, Wetlands and Water Management Center (SFOWWC) Field Day at UAPB's Lonoke Farm August 31, 2000. Temperatures rose to 109 degrees as 200 people including state and local officials, local media, farmers, water resource specialists, and agricultural professionals toured the 871-acre demonstration farm to see the latest in agricultural/water-related research and technology.

Speakers at the opening session included local leaders, Dr. Lawrence Davis - Chancellor of UAPB, Dr. Jacquelyn McCray - Dean UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Human Sciences, and Kalven Trice – NRCS State Conservationist.

"This day celebrates our commitment to assisting small and limited-resource farmers in improving farm profitability while conserving soil and water resources through applied research and outreach education," said Dr. Jacquelyn McCray, Dean/Director School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences. The UAPB Center's mission is to enhance the economic status and quality of life for farmers and their families while improving wetlands and protecting water resources. State Conservationist Kalven Trice said, "The Small Farm Outreach, Wetlands and Water Management Center's Field Day has demonstrated that conservation partners can combine their efforts, share their strengths and create a model farm for the South."

After the opening sessions, participants eagerly selected from three tours available:

• CROP PRODUCTION SYSTEMS - Cropflex model (a tool for nutrient management and i rrigation scheduling), alternative crops, weed science studies, forestry progeny tests, and soybean and rice production.
• WATER MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES - Ground water monitoring to analyze aquifer depletion as a result of continuous use and low recharge, conservation practices including an irrigation reservoir, underground pipelines, land leveling, and a complete tailwater recovery system, and a residential waste water treatment system utilizing constructed wetlands.

• AG-RELATED ACTIVITIES - Farmstead museum, Ag-Awareness Program, sorghum (syrup) processing, composting yard waste, and wetland restoration. The Ag-awareness Program was highlighted for teaching and educating area youth in agriculture and related natural resource concerns. The farm will be used as an outdoor classroom for on-hands environmental education.

After the tours, participants enjoyed a closing session that culminated with a catfish luncheon. Speakers included Dr. Alan Sugg - President of the University of Arkansas System, Dr. Robert Cole – SFOWWC Project Coordinator, George Richardson – USDA/1890 Liaison Officer, Jim Tatum – Chair of the Lonoke Farm advisory Committee, and Mike Sullivan – Director of the National Water Management Center. Mike congratulated UAPB for the vision created, concern for natural resources, and accomplishments. He also shared the vision for the UAPB/NWMC partnership to "provide sufficient expertise to support locally led water management efforts to help get conservation on the ground."

For more information, contact:
NWMC
Keith Admire at (501) 210-8900
Theodis Bunch at (501) 210-8904
UAPB
Dr. Robert Cole at (501) 676-4470
Dr. Leslie Glover at (870) 543-8526
Charlie Cummings at (501) 676-4470
Julius Handcock at (501) 676-4475

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