Rural Life Conference set for Feb. 24 at Pine Bluff Convention Center | Events

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Dr. Mark Cochran will deliver the S.A. Haley Memorial Lecture and Pearlie S. Reed will be the luncheon speaker at the 56th annual Rural Life Conference Friday, Feb. 24, at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Dr. Cochran is vice president for agriculture of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, and Pearlie Reed is the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistant secretary for administration.

The conference features 11 workshops reflecting the conference theme “Building Resilience in Agriculture, Rural Communities and Families in a Challenging Economy.” The workshops will be offered concurrently. The conference is sponsored by the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Workshop topics include the Black Farmers Lawsuit, Selling Southern Peas to Walmart or Sweet Potatoes to Bright Harvest, Managing Livestock Operations, USDA Programs for Operating Farms and Ranches, Woodland Management and Feral Hogs, Do You Want to Catch More Fish From Your Pond?, Eating Well and Cooking Healthy, the State of Children in the Arkansas Delta and Straight Talk on Family Finances, Economic Issues and More.

Registration for the Rural Life Conference begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Convention Center Auditorium. The opening session is at 8:45 a.m. The conference also features a poster session highlighting UAPB research projects and exhibits by governmental and community agencies.

Registration is requested of everyone even though the conference is free to producers, homemakers and retirees. The cost to professionals and agency personnel is $50; after Feb. 10, the fee is $75. To preregister or for more information, contact Margaret Taylor at (870) 575-7144 or email taylorml@uapb.edu.

The Pine Bluff Convention Center is located at 500 East 8th Avenue.