Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > Arkansas Discovery Farms explored in next ‘Good Roots’ segment on Arkansas PBS
Posted 21 Oct 2021
Oct. 22 feature visits farms in Desha, Arkansas counties
selected for exclusive initiative
CONWAY, Ark. (Arkansas PBS) — “Good Roots” travels to Southeast Arkansas to explore how the Arkansas Discovery Farms Program is promoting agricultural sustainability and environmental awareness in partnership with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture in the latest segment airing during “Arkansas Week” Friday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. on Arkansas PBS and livestreaming at myarpbs.org/watchlive.
Host Lauren McCullough visits Stevens Farms Inc. and Dabbs Farms, two of the 12 properties in the state selected to participate in the Discovery Farms Program. This exclusive initiative is sponsored by the U of A Division of Agriculture with a mission to “conduct research and achieve scientific discoveries that benefit Arkansas citizens, expand agricultural sustainability and profitability, promote environmental stewardship, strengthen local and state economies and ensure safe and nutritious food supply.” These farms are hand-selected and carefully chosen based on their locale, crop history, farming practices and unique challenges.
The Steve Steven’s farm is a row crop operation (about 1,500 acres), concentrating on cotton and corn, located in the Bayou Macon Watershed in Desha County. The Terry Dabbs farm is a row crop operation (about 1,500 acres), concentrating on rice, soybean and corn rotations, located in the Bayou Meto Watershed in Arkansas County. The Dabbs farm has been in a Critical Groundwater Area for more than a decade.
“Good Roots,” produced in partnership with Arkansas Farm Bureau, seeks to shine a light on Arkansas’s rich rural culture and communities. Segments focus on the real stories of rural life, while addressing relevant topics like agriculture, health care, the economy, technology, policy and more. The segment airs the second Friday of each month during “Arkansas Week.” Additional information is available at myarpbs.org/GoodRoots.
Segments and bonus footage of “Good Roots” are also featured on all Arkansas PBS digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, the Engage Arkansas PBS app and the PBS Video app. A blog series accompanies the segments at myarkansaspbs.org.
Major funding for “Good Roots” is provided by Arkansas Farm Bureau.
About Arkansas Farm Bureau
Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization with almost 190,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life. Farm Bureau is an independent, voluntary organization of farm and ranch families united for the purpose of analyzing their problems and formulating action to achieve educational improvement, economic opportunity, social advancement and promote the national well-being.
About Arkansas PBS
Arkansas PBS, Arkansas’s only statewide public media network, enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. Arkansas PBS delivers daily, essential, local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers through multiple digital platforms, including livestreaming at myarpbs.org/watchlive, on-demand services and YouTube TV, and the distinct channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS on SAP. Members with Arkansas PBS Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. Arkansas PBS depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at myarkansaspbs.org. Arkansas PBS is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), KETZ (El Dorado) and KETS (Lee Mountain).
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