January 2024

Clay County NRCS (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service) is hosting an informational meeting for new funding opportunities for seasonal high tunnels, soil health, and on-farm energy. This meet-ing will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at the Piggott Community Center (if Piggott School is closed, the meeting will be postponed). Gardeners, farmers, and the public are welcome. If you are unsure if your small operation or plan will qualify or if you have questions or concerns you may call the Clay County NRCS office at 870-598-2287. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host the annual corn and cotton production meeting beginning at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6. The meeting will be held at the Rector Community Center on highway 49 in Rector.

The Clay County Extension Service is offering its annual pesticide applicator training at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at Clay County Electric located on Hwy. 67 near Corning and at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the Extension office located at 148 East Main in Piggott. The training is required for agriculture producers to qualify for license to purchase restricted pesticides.

Arkansas Foodbank, the largest food bank in the state, is celebrating its 40th year of service with a reinvigorated mission to tackle food insecurity and hunger stereotypes in Arkansas. As the state leads the nation in food insecurity, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Foodbank is intensifying its efforts to educate Arkansans about hunger and provide access to nutritious food for Arkan-sans in need.