UAPB: Small Farm Program

The 16th Annual CEP Horticulture Conference was a tremendous success, bringing together farmers, landowners and agricultural professionals at the Southwest Center in Texarkana, Texas for a full day of learning, networking and empowerment.

The conference kicked off with warm welcome remarks from co-coordinators Brandon Hawkins, PVAMU AGNR Extension agent, and Kandi Williams, UAPB Extension program aide, along with special greetings from Matt Solomon, planning and project management coordinator for the City of Texarkana, Texas.

From aquaponics and pest management to USDA programs and solar energy, attendees gained valuable tools to grow and sustain their operations.

Dr. Yong Park, UAPB associate professor - entomology, delivered an engaging beekeeping 101 session, sharing essential knowledge on starting and sustaining healthy hives. Later, 10-year-old Copper Thompson, a proud 4-H’er who is also known as “Mr. Copper Honey” delivered an inspiring presentation on his personal journey into beekeeping, reminding the audience that passion, dedication and agricultural leadership can begin at any age.

Attendees also enjoyed lunch sponsored by the Silas H. Hunt Community Development Cooperation and Square Watson during which they had the chance to make meaningful connections across the agricultural community.

Thank you to all speakers, partners and participants who made this event a success. We look forward to continuing to empower and support our farmers and landowners.

We invite you to join us Saturday, April 11th, at 10 a.m. (CST), to learn about beekeeping. Our pollinators are important, and when you join us this Saturday, you will learn just how important they are! We hope to see you there!

Mark your calendars! Farmers, gardeners and agricultural enthusiasts are invited to the 2026 Southwest Arkansas Small Farms Conference in Hope, Arkansas. Hosted by the UAPB: Small Farm Program, the event will bring together experts and producers for a day of learning about topics such as conservation programs, farm management, forestry, and opportunities for small and limited-resource farmers. Join us to network, gain practical insights and strengthen the future of agriculture in Arkansas.
https://uapbnews.wpcomstaging.com/2026/03/09/uapb-to-host-2026-southwest-arkansas-small-farms-conference-in-hope/

USDA Announces Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Impacted by Unfair Market Disruptions
Specialty Crops Acreage Reporting Deadline for 2025 is March 13


(Washington, D.C., February 13, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. These one-time bridge payments will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. Specialty crop producers have until March 13, 2026, to report 2025 acres to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“President Trump has the backs of our farmers, and today we are building on our Farmer Bridge Assistance program with the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program. Our specialty crop producers continue to feel the negative effects of four years under the Biden Administration, suffering from record inflation, a depleted farm safety net, and delayed disaster assistance,” said Secretary Rollins. “President Trump and the entire cabinet are working every day to fight bidenflation and lower prices for consumers. If our specialty crop producers are not economically able to continue their operations, American families will see a decrease in the food they rely on, wholesome and nutritious fruits and vegetables. Putting Farmers First is essential to the Make America Healthy Again movement and we are doing both at USDA by expanding market opportunities and improving the farm economy for all producers. Today’s specialty crop announcement builds on our efforts to improve markets for real food into American schools, institutions, and family dinner tables.”

The Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and will be administered by FSA.

Eligible Specialty Crops

ASCF-eligible specialty crops include: (A) Almond, Apple, Apricot, Aronia berry, Artichoke, Asparagus, Avocado (B) Banana, Bean (Snap or green; Lima; Dry edible), Beet (Table), Blackberry, Blueberry, Breadfruit, Broccoli (including Broccoli Raab), Brussels Sprouts (C) Cabbage (including Chinese), Cacao, Carrot, Cashew, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Cherimoya, Cherry, Chestnut (for Nuts), Chive, Citrus, Coconut, Coffee, Collards (including Kale), Cranberry, Cucumber, Currant (D) Date, Dry Edible Beans and Peas* (E) Edamame, Eggplant, Endive (F) Feijou, Fig, Filbert (Hazelnut) (G) Garlic, Gooseberry, Grape (including Raisin), Guava (H) Horseradish (K) Kiwi, Kohlrabi (L) Leek, Lettuce, Litchi (M) Macadamia, Mango, Melon (All Types), Mushroom (Cultivated), Mustard and Other Greens 👎 Nectarine (O) Okra, Olive, Onion, Opuntia (P) Papaya, Parsley, Parsnip, Passion Fruit, Pea (Garden; English or Edible Pod; Dry edible), Peach, Pear, Pecan, Pepper, Persimmon, Pineapple, Pistachio, Plum (including Prune), Pomegranate, Potato, Pumpkin (Q) Quince (R) Radish (All Types), Raspberry, Rhubarb, Rutabaga (S) Salsify, Spinach, Squash (Summer and Winter), Strawberry, Suriname Cherry, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard (T) Taro, Tomato (including Tomatillo), Turnip (W) Walnut, Watermelon

*Dry edible beans and peas covered by FBA will not be eligible for ASCF.

ASCF payments are based on reported 2025 planted acres.

Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5 p.m. ET on March 13, 2026. Commodity-specific payment rates will be released by the end of March. Crop insurance linkage will not be required for the ASCF Program. However, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) risk management tools to best protect against price risk and volatility in the future.

More information on ASCF is available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/fba or producers can contact their local FSA county office.

Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program | Farm Service Agency Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.