Episodes

  • Young Hands Needed
    Jul 9 2024

    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.

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    12 mins
  • Don’t Cuss a Farmer at Grocery Checkout
    Jun 25 2024

    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.

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    12 mins
  • Hungry Kids Need Hunters’ Help
    Jun 18 2024

    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.

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    16 mins
  • Tears and Triumphs of a Minority Farmer, Part 2
    Jun 11 2024

    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.

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    19 mins
  • Tears and Triumphs of a Minority Farmer
    Jun 4 2024

    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.

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    15 mins
  • Granny had to Go, Who’ll be Next?
    May 28 2024

    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.

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    12 mins
  • Progress, Population Plow Buffalo River Farms
    May 21 2024

    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.

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    14 mins
  • America’s First National River Might Require a Permit
    May 14 2024

    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.

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    15 mins