HOT SPRINGS, AR -- For three days, Hot Springs was once again the site for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s (ADA) annual
Arkansas Grown Conference & Expo. This was the third year for the event, which was created to promote the state’s largest industry while focusing on education for farmers and producers who grow for the state’s local food system.
According to Beth Moore, ADA agriculture program manager, the conference seeks to connect specialty crop growers with one another in the absence of a state specialty crop association.
"The idea was to bring all our specialty crop producers together so they could network and glean new knowledge and not have to leave the state and go to another conference," said Moore.
This year the theme was “Collaboration is the Key to Success!” Attendees had the opportunity to attend numerous sessions and workshops to hear from subject matter experts on a variety of topics including farm-to-school issues, production discussions on all types of fruits and vegetables, emerging crops, organic efforts, and agritourism.
Rice production was featured in a discussion on regenerative agriculture, led by Tim and Robin Ralston of Ralston Family Farms of Atkins, Arkansas, with a focus on the various components of cover crops used on their 6,000-acre farm. They stressed no-till as the cornerstone to regenerative efforts and explained that it takes a great deal of commitment to build up the “soil armor.” The Ralstons have seen a substantial increase in the amount of protein in one of their rice varieties and believe this is a result of these practices.
Conference attendees were treated to the sounds of Triple Nickle, a band formed 10 years ago that features 1st District Arkansas Congressman Rick Crawford.
On the final day, the public was invited to attend an indoor farmers market that included approximately 170 vendors showing a wide array of products, produce, and craft items.