Prepping for duck season at Five Oaks Lodge
Jun 17, 2021
LITTLE ROCK, AR – Sponsors and members of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture had the opportunity to experience “Authentic Arkansas” last week, complete with authentic Arkansas weather. The organization, known as SASDA, is comprised of state agriculture commissioners and secretaries from Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, the Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The in-person conference, sponsored in part by USA Rice, had nearly 200 attendees who experienced the diversity of Arkansas agriculture, from Little Rock to Hot Springs to Stuttgart and Petit Jean Mountain. The four-day annual meeting is hosted by the current SASDA president’s home state. Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture and the 2020-2021 SASDA president said, “It was a pleasure to serve as SASDA president and host this year’s meeting. We were excited to showcase Arkansas agriculture to our fellow commissioners, especially the rice and waterfowl hunting industry which is unique to our area and has such a large impact on our state.”
The Arkansas Delta and the rice industry were highlighted during a trip to Stuttgart. Following morning meetings, attendees were bused to Mack’s Prairie Wings and Rich-N-Tone Calls for a self-guided tour then on to George Dunklin’s Five Oaks Lodge. At Five Oaks, Dunklin welcomed everyone and spoke about the conservation efforts he has implemented there over the years. The afternoon also featured demonstrations by Barton Ramsey, owner of Southern Oak Kennels, nationally acclaimed for their breeding and training of British Labrador Retrievers, and Jim Ronquest, 2006 World Duck Calling Champion and co-host and producer of Rich-N-Tone Duck Calls’ outdoor television show, RNT-V.
That evening’s dinner was sponsored by Revolution and Delta Plastics. Revolution is a sustainable solutions provider and parent company of Delta, the leading manufacturer and supplier of irrigation polytube for the agriculture industry. Using their unique circular approach, the company recycles used film and then manufactures new products from the recycled material such as carryout bags, can liners, and construction sheeting.
“Revolution and Delta are excited to sponsor SASDA because of their dedication to sustainability and the future of farming,” said Matt Lindsey, director for Delta Plastics. “We look forward to working further with these states to provide support to their producers.”
The event concluded with Secretary Ward passing the gavel to West Virginia’s Commissioner Kent Leonhardt who expressed excitement about hosting next year’s meeting in “Almost Heaven” West Virginia.
Catch our podcast with Secretary Wes Ward and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain as they provide us with a more in-depth discussion of the conference. This episode of The Rice Stuff airs next Tuesday, June 22.