Annual Conference on Soil and Water Returns to A-State Jan. 29

01/17/2025

JONESBORO - The 27th Annual Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference and Irrigation Expo will occur on Monday, Jan. 29, inside Centennial Hall at the Reng Student Union on the Arkansas State University campus.

Registration will begin at 7:15 a.m., followed by a welcome and introductions by Dr. N. Ray Benson, R.E. Lee Wilson Chair of Agriculture CoA, and Dr. Mickey Latour, Dean, A-State College of Agriculture.

"The program is structured to facilitate bringing in speakers from other areas to provide insight into soil, water, and environmental concerns as a holistic concept," Benson said. "The program has grown to include Industry and government sponsors who support the conservation work that the conference promotes."

Two sessions featuring various speakers and topics will occur before the noon luncheon, followed by a third session.

The first morning session will be moderated by Julie Bennett, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Mississippi County, Osceola.

Allegra Pieri, physical scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey, Little Rock, will moderate the second morning session.

Fourth generation rice and soybean farmer Jerry Don Clark will present the luncheon address. Kevin Cochran, USDA-NRCS will present awards to students and professionals.

Dr. Zachary Treadway, cotton and peanut specialist at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, will serve as the third session moderator.

"This year, state agencies will provide an update on the Arkansas Water Plan (the state's accounting of water supply vs current and expected future demand). Additionally, hydrologists and engineers will provide an overview of the waterways and drainage systems in our region. We will hear a 30-year perspective of sustainability research efforts related to agronomic research in our state and region," said Benson.

The university has welcomed the Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference to campus since 1998. The conference serves those working in agriculture, natural resource management, research, policy and students.

The ASWEC represents a collective partnership between Arkansas State University, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, USDA-NRCS, and USDA-ARS.

"The organizations working together on behalf of stakeholders to address critical groundwater issues, natural resource conservation, and sustainable agriculture production is necessary if we want to improve sustainability in the region," according to Benson.

ASWEC Steering Committee members include Troyce Barnett, N. Ray Benson, Jennifer Bouldin, Jerry Don Clark, Kevin Cochran, Adam Eades, Steven Green, Mike Hamilton, Chris Henry, Joe Massey, Scott Matthews, Michele Reba, Spring Sneed, Tina Gray Teague, Brittany Watson, Rita Watson and Rodney Wright.

Additional details and registration can be foundonline.

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