In the last year, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Small Farm Program and the East Arkansas Enterprise Community (EAEC) helped over 120 historically underserved and limited resource farmers participate in the East Arkansas Delta Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), according to Dr. Henry English, director for the UAPB program.
An initiative by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. RCPP projects may include a range of on-the-ground conservation activities implemented by farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.
Alex Cole, a UAPB Small Farm Program aide in Forrest City, said that in east Arkansas, the program had an impact in St. Francis, Monroe, Lee and Philips Counties.
“The RCPP provided funding for farmers in these counties to install land-improving, environmentally friendly conservation practices on their farms,” he said. “The funds reached many farmers with small tracts of land. It’s worth mentioning that these small scale, limited resource farmers were competing for conservation funds among themselves.”
Cole said Andrew Bean is a great example of a farmer who has been able to receive RCPP funding to improve his operation. Bean is an 80-year-old urban farmer who has a 9-acre farm on the south side of Forrest City, Arkansas.
“Mr. Bean has been growing alternative crops for over 20 years on this property without the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” Cole said. “The EAEC and UAPB outreach staff have provided Mr. Bean with technical assistance for the past 15 years. This included soil testing, selecting proper varieties, recommended planting dates, etc.”
In the past, Bean received assistance from an EAEC conservation innovative grant, which provided education and instruction on using micro-irrigation on vegetable crops. He received drip tape and plastic mulch to irrigate his crop. However, he used a water faucet from his house to irrigate the crops, limiting the amount of land he could irrigate.
“Although Mr. Been continued to grow southern peas, squash, okra, tomatoes, bell peppers, watermelons, cantaloupe and winter greens, he always faced the challenge of irrigating a limited amount of land,” Cole said. “In 2022, he signed up for RCPP. He then met with EAEC and UAPB consultants to identify resource concerns and determine the appropriate conservation practices to help him succeed in his operation.”
Thanks to RCPP funding, last spring, Bean was able to install an irrigation well and pipe to improve water flow throughout the 9-acre farm.
“Mr. Bean can now irrigate his whole farm while growing vegetables year-round to be sold at local grocery stores, farmers markets and roadside produce stands,” Cole said. For information on how to participate in a conservation program, contact [email protected].
