Arkansas Organic Chronicles

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Colin Massey from UADA Extension joins the discussion to talk about scouting cabbage moth, corn earworm/tomato fruit worm, and squash vine borer.  

Find current scouting numbers from around the state on the UADA Pest Monitoring in Arkansas webpage. 

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Cailin Irby, CAFF Farm Manager, joins the show today to talk about transitioning the small scale and tractor scale fields at CAFF to Certified Organic.

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Before we dive into toolbars, shanks, and cultivators, I provide a few updates on what I got wrong so far from a tractor perspective. I also talk about a few things that have gone well!

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It's March and Luke and Joe are back for another live episode!  In this episode they talk about cover crops and supplemental nitrogen sources. 

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Luke and Joe are live once again! Today we are talking about organic records for seeds and transplant media and talking cover crops.

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In this episode we talk about refurbishing an old diesel offset tractor.  Specifically focused on the fuel and electrical systems.

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In this episdoe I discuss bringing and old gasoline cultivator tractor back to daily reliability. Things to check, fix, and replace to make it reliable and dependable.

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Luke and Riley join the show as we broadcast live from the NWA Regional Regional Farmer Gathering in Springdale. 

I apologize, the audio is a little rough due to background noise at the conference.  

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We continue our discussion on available cultivator tractors with the Allis G, Tilmor 520, and row crop tractors and their variants.  

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Today we deep dive into the weeds...I mean offset cultivator tractors. Probably more than you would ever want to know about offset tractors. Today we talk about what is available, some of the pro's and con's of each, and which ones are good buys today. 

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In this episode we introduce a new series focused on weed management. We will discuss tractors, tools, equipment, strategies, and more.

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Luke Freeman joins the show today on our first LIVE session. Luke and I test out going live monthly on Facebook and YouTube. Luke talks about the TOPP Organic Mentorship Program and the Organic Track at the Arkansas Grown Conference.

TOPP Program
Arkansas Grown Conference

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Mark Cain from Dripping Springs joins us to talk about 2024 successes and challenges. This episode picks up where episode 31 left off.

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Mark Cain from Dripping Springs joins us today to talk about how they crop plan and how they determine what stays and what goes on the farm!

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Riley join us in this episode to talk storm recovery and wrapping up the 2024 season.  

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Joe Schafer from Winrock International and Kelly Cartwright and Lanny Ashlock from the Natural Soy and Grain Alliance are three people seeking solutions for organic row crop production. In this episode they discuss the inside of certified organic row crop production as we try to answer the question: are certified organic corn and soybeans profitable in Arkansas?

This is part 2 of the discussion and focuses on inputs.

Project Details from Winrock International

Project Details from Natural Soybean and Grain Alliance

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 Joe Schafer from Winrock International and Kelly Cartwright and Lanny Ashlock from the Natural Soy and Grain Alliance are three people seeking solutions for organic row crop production. In this episode they discuss the economic side of certified organic row crop production as we try to answer the question: are certified organic corn and soybeans profitable in Arkansas?

This is part 1 of the discussion and focuses on markets.

Project Details from Winrock International

Project Details from Natural Soybean and Grain Alliance

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Anthony and Nena from the Spring Creek Food Hub join us today to answer the question: Should I get certified. It's a tough question with no simple answers.

Visit the Spring Creek Food Hub Online

Interested in selling to the Spring Creek Food Hub, talk to Nena Hammer at: nhammer@springcreekfoodhub.org.  

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Spider mites have emerged and Stilt Bugs? That's a new one for me.  Plus a discussion on weed management strategies around building sites and organic herbicides. 

Ground Covers for Arkansas 

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In this episode we talk about sprayer options for insects, recovering from spring wet conditions, and a very random deep dive into cultivators and cultivator tractors.  

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In this episode, Joe Schafer from Winrock International and Kelly Cartwright and Lanny Ashlock from the Natural Soy and Grain Alliance join us to talk about the challenges of organic corn and soybean production in Arkansas and provide strategies for success.

See episode 19 for the introduction to this discussion.

Project Details from Winrock International

Project Details from Natural Soybean and Grain Alliance

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Drought to Flood! In this episode we catch up on how the roller crimped cover crop at CAFF turned out, my thoughts on what happened, and Cailin's plan moving forward.  Plus, insect updates from NWA.

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In this episode I deep dive into organic approved insecticides. There's more than just Pyganic and Neem!

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Its Rambling Time!
In this episode we talk seasonal insects, cicada, roller crimping cover crop, and more!  Riley joins as a special guest the second half of the show!

Insect Pest Monitoring

Growing Your Farm Short Course

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In this episode, Riley joins me to talk about spring crops in high tunnels.

Dr. Ayanava Majumdar insect screening and IPM website

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Back from spring break finally!

In this episode, Joe Schafer from Winrock International and Kelly Cartwright from the Natural Soy and Grain Alliance join us to talk about the challenges of organic row crop corn and soybean production in Arkansas and what they are doing to support farmers.  This episode kicks off a series as we deep dive into their findings from an agronomic and economic standpoint. 

Project Details from Winrock International

Project Details from Natural Soybean and Grain Alliance

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In this episode, Lee Goldsmith from Native Legacy Tree and Perennial Nursery  joins me to talk about seed priming and sanitation and how these practices can improve seed germination in the greenhouse and field.  

Lee's FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/NativeLegacyTrees/?locale=zh_TW

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In this episode Luke and I each give our top 5 tips for successfully growing transplants.

We recorded this episode in the greenhouse so there is a bit of echo.

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In this month's rambling we talk about variety trials, soil potassium mining, and spring weather.  

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Guy Ames from Ames Orchard and Nursery and formerly NCAT joins us in this episode to discuss how climate change is impacting our ability to grow fruit crops here in Arkansas.

NCAT Publication Library

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In this episode, Maury Wills from Wills Family Orchard joins us to talk about growing organic apples organically. We discuss some of the major pest challenges and talk strategies for success.  

https://willsfamilyorchard.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WillsFamilyOrchard/

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This three pat series takes a look at the ins and outs of starting an organic orchard in Arkansas. In this episode we talk about the basic challenges of growing fruits in Arkansas and which ones does best here.  

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It's tool time! In this episode, Jonathan McArthur joins us to discuss the essential tools for a new organic vegetable farm. This is part 4, and the last on this subject for awhile.

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In this episode, Jonathan McArthur joins us to discuss the basics of starting an organic vegetable farm.  Part 3, discusses building permanent beds. 

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In this episode, Jonathan McArthur joins us to discuss the basics of starting an organic vegetable farm.  Part 2, discusses preparing the soil for farming. What do you need to do to get that open field or pasture ground ready to make beds. 

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In this episode I address the new USDA Zone Hardiness Map and talk about the Arkansas Gown Conference.

Arkansas Grown Conference

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In this episode, Luke and Heather join me to discuss the state of organic agriculture from their perspective in Arkansas and what we need to really move the needle to get more farms certified.  Also, we learn about organic beer!

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In this episode, Jonathan McArthur joins us to discuss the basics of starting an organic vegetable farm.  Part 1, discusses evaluating a site for productivity and why its important to take the time to carefully design your farm. 

We Soil Survey

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In this episode, Cailin and Riley join the show to discuss the state of organic agriculture in Arkansas, the limitations to seeing more farms get certified, and their thoughts on ways the industry can improve. 

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In the Episode, Luke Freeman of Freckled Hen joins us to talk about growing cover crops in high tunnels.

Shop Freckled Hen online

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