As a land grant institution, the mission of the university of arkansas system division of agriculture {division of agriculture) is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded $12.672 million to the Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas on October 1, 2025, under the Smith-Lever Extension Funding program (CFDA 10.511), a formula grant supporting cooperative agricultural extension activities at land-grant institutions.

The Division of Agriculture delivers research, extension education, and technical assistance across Arkansas through a statewide infrastructure with presence in all 75 counties. Activities align with the division's 10-year strategic plan, "Growing. Stronger," and support five priority areas: supporting a healthier Arkansas, advancing innovation, helping communities thrive, enhancing resilience and sustainability, and preparing the workforce. The division employs field days, tours, camps, classroom trainings, meetings, and staffed displays to reach Arkansans. Work is informed by grassroots, community-based input through county extension councils and stakeholder engagement.

The award period runs through September 30, 2030, with place of performance in Arkansas. As a land-grant institution eligible under the Smith-Lever program, the Division of Agriculture connects trusted research to adoption of best practices, strengthening agriculture, communities, and families across the state.

As a land grant institution, the mission of the university of arkansas system division of agriculture {division of agriculture) is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. The division of agriculture provides a statewide infrastructure with a presence in every county, ensuring that researchers and extension educators are readily available to achieve this mission. Work is guided annually by grassroots, community-based input from a wide range of arkansas citizens and stakeholders. County program priorities are determined in collaboration with county extension councils that consist of local stakeholders. Research and statewide priorities are informed by county priorities, industry stakeholders, advisory councils, state, and national partners, as well as other stakeholders. In 2023 and early 2024, the division of agriculture formally engaged a broad range of stakeholders through listening sessions, surveys, and interviews to inform a new strategic plan. 'growing. Stronger.' is the division of agriculture's new 10-year strategic plan aimed at building a stronger arkansas-socially, economically, environmentally, and holistically. Research and extension priorities in FY2026 will transition from focus areas included in our 2017-2023 strategic plan (agricultural and forestry production and processing, access to safe and nutritious food, strengthening arkansas f amilies, building communities and strengthening economies, and natural resource conservation and management) to priorities outlined in the new strategic plan: 1) supporting a healthier arkansas, 2) advancing innovation, 3) helping communities thrive, 4) enhancing resilience and sustainability, and 5) preparing the workforce. The division of agriculture uses a wide range of educational and outreach methods to meet the needs of arkansans in ways that work for them. Field days, tours, camps, classroom trainings, meetings, staffed displays, landowner/farm visits, one-onone technical assistance, individual consultations, and demonstrations provide opportunities for high touch and engaged educational experiences. Synchronous and asynchronous digital education through webinars, podcasts, videos, online courses, and other resources is available through our websites, social media, and other online platforms to allow arkansans to access our research-based information at their own convenience. Indirect methods such as mass mailings, media releases, electronic newsletters, displays and exhibits, and email campaigns are used to raise awareness of programs. Additionally, the division forges dynamic partnerships and connects communities, organizations, and businesses to trusted resources at all levels ranging from local to international levels. This drives significant changes and maximizes positive impact, creating a network of collaborations that extends far beyond individual organizational efforts.