All posts in Features

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food will hold a short course on small-scale farming May 3-4. The CAFF Small Farm Short Course titled “Grow Your Farm” provides an intensive two-day workshop with a deep dive into bed building, equipment and transplanting. “We’ll also cover the basics of record keeping, profitability, branding…

On March 28, 1975, Warren, Arkansas, experienced a devastating F4 tornado that left a lasting impact on the community, claiming lives, destroying homes, and reshaping the landscape. As we mark the 49th anniversary of this tragic event, we reflect on the resilience of the people of Warren and the strength of a community that rose…

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) are pleased to announce that applications for the Foresters for the Future scholarship are now being accepted. The scholarship will provide $4,000 per semester, for four years, to an incoming freshman pursuing a forestry degree at…

Colorectal cancer stands as one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. However, the stark reality is that it doesn’t have to be. The month of March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.   In 2021, our General Assembly took a significant step forward in the fight against colorectal cancer by passing Act…

WASHINGTON â€“ Legislation backed by Senate Recycling Caucus co-chair Senator John Boozman (R-AR) that would improve our nation’s recycling and composting systems unanimously passed the Senate last week. Boozman, along with Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), have been leading proponents of the pair of legislative initiatives to enhance recycling…

By: Dr. Jerry Webb, retired UAM Professor of Physics A few years ago a senior physics major came to me and wanted a project. I said why don’t we measure the solar constant? He asked me jokingly, “What’s that?” The solar constant is the amount of energy the earth receives from the sun per unit…

New book by John C. Davis chronicles the recent rise of the GOP in Arkansas This was a column, written by Maylon Rice, for the Washington County Enterprise-Leader in Farmington and Prairie Grove, published on March 6, 2024. It also appeared in the Siloam Springs Herald-Leader and the Bella Vista Voice, all newspapers in NWA,…

March 7 holds a special significance in the annals of conservation history. On this day in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt penned a proclamation that echoed through time, creating what we now know as the Ozark National Forest. This act of preservation marked a pivotal moment in Arkansas’s conservation past, laying the groundwork for the protection…

LITTL ROCK – TheYear of the Dragonis upon us, and the Little Rock Zoo is ready to celebrate! The Dragon Kingdom Exhibition kicks off during Spring Break at the Zoo, March 16-24, and continues through Sept. 28. The exhibition includes life-size, animatronic models ranging from 10 to 40 feet. Of course, dragons are mythical creatures, but their real-life distant cousins,…

March 5, 2024 marks a significant anniversary in Arkansas history, as we commemorate the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution Number 22 by Governor Harvey Parnell and the Forty-seventh General Assembly on this day in 1929. This resolution declared the mockingbird as the official state bird of Arkansas, a decision that has stood the test of…

Nestled within the rugged beauty of the Ozark Mountains, Petit Jean State Park stands as a testament to Arkansas’s rich natural heritage and pioneering spirit. Established on March 1, 1923, by Act 276 of the Arkansas General Assembly, Petit Jean holds the distinction of being the state’s inaugural state park, marking a significant milestone in…

LITTLE ROCK – Spring weather is welcomed for its sunny skies and cool breezes, but the season has also proven to bring dangerous thunderstorms. Ahead of the seasonal switch, Arkansas has declared Feb. 26 to March 1 as Severe Weather Awareness Week. Entergy Arkansas is encouraging customers to observe the week by making a severe weather…

In the annals of military history, certain names resonate with awe-inspiring tales of skill, bravery, and unparalleled marksmanship. Among them, the name Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock stands tall, a legend whose story is etched into the fabric of American military folklore. On this day, February 22, 1999, the world bid farewell to a true American…

February 16, 1945, marked a pivotal moment in the storied history of the USS Arkansas (BB-33), a battleship that etched its name in the annals of naval warfare during World War II. As the United States and its allies pressed forward in the Pacific theater, the Arkansas embarked on a series of critical missions that…

As February unfolds, hearts adorned with crimson hues and the sweet scent of roses fill the air, signaling the arrival of Valentine’s Day. While for many it’s a day of celebration and romance, few may know the intriguing history that underpins this cherished tradition. Dating back centuries, Valentine’s Day finds its origins in ancient Rome,…

Meet Armondo White, a veteran and Black farmer in Marvell, Arkansas. Amidst the sprawling fields of the Delta, Armondo works with his wife, Andrea, and their two daughters, Madam and Ava, to combat food insecurity by bringing fresh, healthy produce to their community. Top photo: Armondo and his daughter, Madam, inside their hoop house. Photo…

MONTICELLO, Ark. – Guess who’s coming home? Renowned Jazz Trumper Rodney Block, a proud alum of Dumas High School and the University of Arkansas at Monticello, is returning for a Valentine’s Day treat. On Feb. 13 at 7 pm, the UAM Gibson Center Green Room will be filled with Block’s smooth jazz vibes, setting the…

Food traditions often serve as cultural landmarks, preserving culinary heritage and connecting generations. Long-standing food establishments carry the flavors and techniques passed down through time, offering a taste of history on each plate. That is why in 2016, the Division of Arkansas Heritage launched the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.  The Arkansas Food Hall of Fame…

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Artist Erica Daborn captures the attention of the public via 13 large-scale charcoal-on-canvas murals that explore the critical issues facing the planet. Her artwork records fictitious historical events based on issues relevant to climate change. “Dialogues with Mother Earth: Drawing to Save the Planet†by Erica Daborn opens Friday, Feb. 23,…

Little Rock, Ark. (January 31, 2023)—The Adult Education Section of the Division of Workforce Services (Adult Education) has experienced a 20% enrollment increase during its 2022-2023 school year, showing a trend toward pre-COVID enrollment. More than 16,000 Arkansans came through the doors of an Adult Education Center and nearly 10,000 Arkansans utilized adult education services…