By Danny Griffin
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
With the recommendation of social distancing and having no more than 10 people at a group setting, County Agents are looking to technology to connect with our clients. Some people have found more time on their hands due to more or less “staying home”. A lot of agriculture producers may have even found a change in their schedule even though they are also “still on the job”. Agriculture, particularly farming and ranching, is an essential business that cannot stop amid this pandemic. We also know that many people have shown more interest in home gardening the past few years and may feel more secure in producing food for their families. The Cleburne, Stone, and Van Buren County Extension offices of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service are offering some online Lunch & Learn Seminars that can be watched in Zoom. Zoom is an app that can be added to any smartphone, tablet, or computer that will allow you to join into these seminars. If you are on Facebook, please look up the UAEX Van Buren County Page and like and follow it. We will post these events there. If you are not on Facebook, you can email [email protected]to get a link sent to you each week to register for the zoom sessions.
Our upcoming zoom sessions are as following
Tuesday April 21, 2020: Fire Ant Control
Wednesday April 22, 2020:Pasture Weed Control
Tuesday April 28, 2020: Container Gardening
Wednesday April 29, 2020:Minerals for Your Cowherd
Tuesday May 5, 2020: Vegetable Disease Control
Wednesday May 6, 2020: Fly Control on Cattle
Each of these sessions will be from 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm each time. These programs are live. We hope you will be able to work your lunch schedule and join in with us to view these programs If you miss the sessions, we are hoping to be able to post recordings of them that you can watch later on our Facebook pages. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your Van Buren County Extension office as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay. For more information, you can call the Van Buren County Extension office at (501)745-7117.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.