AgriCulture

Pioneering ladies in agriculture carved their path, shattering stereotypes and driving innovation. It wasn't easy. Farm women weren't even recognized as “persons” by the government not too long ago. Hear how Stuttgart's Mrs. Ardis Dabbs and an organization called WIFE downed discrimination on this Women's History Month episode of AgriCulture.

An event-filled life gives 92-year-old James Ragland endearing stories. The retired extension agent still ranches near Leslie on family property purchased in the 1800s. He reclines on the porch and relays some adventures on this episode of AgriCulture.

An event-filled life gives 92-year-old James Ragland endearing stories. The retired extension agent still ranches near Leslie on family property purchased in the 1800s. He reclines on the porch and relays some adventures on this episode of AgriCulture.

Few face challenges like North Arkansas cattleman Larry Blasdel's family. Hear how non-stop sacrificial love for a child with special needs helps them thrive on the farm.

Few face challenges like North Arkansas cattleman Larry Blasdel's family. Hear how non-stop sacrificial love for a child with special needs helps them overcome overwhelming odds in marriage and on the farm.

She earned bachelor's and master's degrees, but more important to Beverly Scott Chapple are her son and living near him on a family farm. Hear her heritage and joy while shelling purple hull peas in the shade just outside the dwindling delta town of Cotton Plant.

Before Bill Clinton or Mike Huckabee, Hope was known for world-record watermelons and its annual festival returns this weekend offering a “slice of the good life.” Lifelong resident Paul Henley and his wife Dolly share interesting farmer and entertaining festival stories on this episode of AgriCulture.

A tick bite causing temporary blindness and a permanent allergy to meats and dairy, opened Dr. Karen Ballard's eyes to what was right in front of her. Hear the Jackson County farmer passionately share her discovery while cooking surprisingly delicious, soy-based dishes on this episode of AgriCulture.

Fewer youths are pursuing farming careers. The average age of American farmers is 58 (20 years older than the citizen average). Anna Sweat, a 17-year-old raised on Sweat Farms in Southwest Arkansas, admits she has considered other lifestyles but plans to earn a degree in ag business. Hear her story and her dad's tips on keeping the next generation farming on this episode of AgriCulture.

Arkansas families are feeling it. Grocery costs are approaching a 30-percent increase since January 2020. Conway County's Ashley Flickinger says it's devouring her family-of-five's budget and Arkansas Pork Producers Association director Jerry Masters offers insight to the increases in this episode of AgriCulture.

One in five Arkansas children is hungry, yet the state's hunters annually harvest 200,000 deer. Hot Spring County farmer Ronnie Ritter says he has a "calling" to get more venison to famished kids. Heart-wrenching stories drive Ritter as Director of Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry. Hear his stories and how you can help in this episode of AgriCulture.

Industrious Ellis Bell flew alone at night for 45 years in a 1956 Cessna to successfully run a Forrest City farm and St. Louis insurance business. Hear his turbulent ascent to vocational victories and heart to help other minorities on this episode of the national award-winning AgriCulture podcast.

Growing up on a Forrest City farm in the 1940s shaped Ellis Bell. The challenges Bell faced couldn't stop a strong and studious mind, laser-like focus and two parents from propelling him to a 2023 Arkansas Ag Hall of Fame induction. Hear the hurt, tears and triumphs on this episode of the national-award winning AgriCulture podcast.

Eva Henderson, affectionately known by thousands as “Granny,” lived 87 years on the Buffalo River but was removed from her farm in 1972 by the government. She was one of about 2,000 displaced when the Buffalo became a National River. Her great-grandson Randy Gibbins remembers and is concerned it could soon happen to others, too. A visit with Gibbins completes AgriCulture's 5-part series on the past and future of the Buffalo River.

Armed U.S. Marshals ushered Susan Halsted's grandparents from their Buffalo River farm in 1972 when it became a National River. Hear Halsted's heartbreak, and her concerns about recent talks of another possible river re-designation. Cattleman Bob Shofner, a life-long resident of booming Northwest Arkansas, understands more people present challenges for farmers but says not all development is a heartless attack on long-time locals. It's episode four of our 5-part series on the past and future of the Buffalo River.

Does the Buffalo River need more protection? Will it remain free to fish and hunt? Billy Bell would arguably be the best person to ask. Hear what he says sustains it and what could destroy it in episode three of our 5-part series on the past and future of the Buffalo River.

Seven months pregnant while unloading an 18-wheeler load of chickens is part of Belinda Wright's motherhood story. Hear her mom-wise stories and heart on this special Mother's Day edition of AgriCulture.

Mothers raising children on the farm own interesting stories and perspective. North Little Rock rancher Libbie Dougan overcame much to raise three daughters and shares her laughs and wisdom on the special Mother's Day weekend edition of AgriCulture.

Jack Tinsley and his siblings' Buffalo River re-designation resentment goes back half a century. Hear the trauma of being evicted as children from their family farm in 1972 when the Buffalo became America's first national river, and their concerns about another possible re-designation. Listen to episode 2 of a 5-part series on the past and future of the Buffalo River.

Farmers and residents in the Buffalo River area of North Arkansas are troubled. Discussion of a possible re-designation of the National River in late October drew more than 1,200 for a community meeting in Jasper (population 547). Longtime Searcy County residents Randy Clark and Bonnie Cash Glidewell attended, and in this debut episode of AgriCulture tell why locals are agitated. It's the first of a 5-part AgriCulture series on the Buffalo River and its future.