As a lifelong Arkansan and a country girl at heart, I am quite proud of our state’s number one industry, agriculture. So, of course I was elated to attend the Conservation in Action Tour on June 10 – 11. The event was organized by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and was a stellar showcase of conservation agriculture in northeast Arkansas.  

The tour kicked off in Memphis, Tenn., on June 10. A pre-tour option, Farming in the Flyways, was held at the Ducks Unlimited (DU) headquarters. A catered steak lunch was followed by presentations. The agenda connected the flyways, from the Prairie Pothole region – known as the Duck Factory – all the way to the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. 

Ryan Taylor, North Dakota rancher and Ducks Unlimited director of public policy, discussed cattle production, rotational grazing, and grassland easements on his operation that are centered around wildlife habitat and raising ducks.  

Taylor said, “Conservation, like agriculture or any business you operate in, is a team effort. And Ducks Unlimited is proud to be a part of that team to put conservation on the ground in a way that fits for both production agriculture and conservation.” 

George Dunklin, owner of Five Oaks Duck Lodge in Stuttgart, Ark., and past DU national president, discussed rice production practices, surface water irrigation, wildlife habitat, and waterfowl biological studies integrated throughout his operation. 

Related:CTIC expands to deliver farmers for Soil Health Program

On June 11, packed tour buses and a parade of vehicles departed from Memphis and looped through the upper Arkansas Delta to see conservation activities at three farms. Locations included the Ellis Bell Farm in Forrest City; Scott Matthews Farm in Weiner; and Holthouse and Senter Farms in Osceola. 

The tour primarily focused on conservation practices, with an emphasis on Arkansas rice production. Each stop offered tent talks on a range of topics – from soil health and water management to conservation programs and integrating ag technology. 

Ellis Bell welcomed attendees to his farm and shared about his lifelong farming experience, including his contributions to afterschool ag programs that spanned from St. Louis, Mo. to northeast Arkansas. 

Scott Matthews graciously provided a space for lunch in his farm shop followed by a tour of his farm, where rice has been cultivated for over 100 years. Matthews focuses on conservation with things like alternate wetting and drying and surface water conversion in a critical groundwater area.  

Finally, Holthouse and Senter Farms discussed the relationship between ag technology and sustainable row crop production, along with the involved partnership shared between their entities. For them, sustainability comes naturally to improve the land for future generations. 

It was a great day all around, and our Arkansas weather could not have been more cooperative!  

For a closer look, view the slideshow of event highlights - with more information in the description beneath each photo.