State cash receipts from all commodities up in 2007 Arkansas cash receipts from all commodities totaled $ 7. 14 billion for the 2007 calendar year, up $ 1. 14 billion from 2006. This is the largest cash receipts total in Arkansas history. Arkansas ranked 13 th in the nation in total agricultural cash receipts, according to the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service. Cash receipts from livestock and livestock products increased $ 462 million from 2006, to $ 4. 1 billion. The largest contributor to the increase in this category was poultry and eggs, with $ 3. 32 billion, up $ 458 million from 2006. This includes broilers, which increased $ 411 million to $ 2. 61 billion. Arkansas ranked second behind Georgia in broiler cash receipts last year. Other commodities showing increases were dairy products, eggs, hogs, turkeys and other aquaculture. Cattle and calves decreased $ 8. 77 million to $ 520 million. Deadline Nov. 17 for grants to support sustainable agriculture Farmers interested in additional dollars should become acquainted with Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education Producer Grants, says Henry English, director of the Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Producer Grants are one of SARE's competitive programs that provide grants ranging from $ 500 to $ 15, 000 directly to producers or producer organizations for research or marketing projects related to sustainable agriculture.
Projects may be funded for up to two years for a project maximum of $ 10, 000 per individual or $ 15, 000 per organization. The application deadline for 2009 projects is Nov. 17.
Less than 15 percent of SARE producer grant projects are in the South. English says he believes this is because many Arkansas farmers and ranchers are not aware of SARE Producer Grants.
English urges farmers and ranchers to become familiar with the application process and focus areas as projects should fall into focus areas selected by the Producer Grant Review Committee as areas needing investigation.
Nine focus areas have been selected for 2009 funding. Some examples are as follows • Beneficial Insect Habitat - develop cover crop and other plant mixes and locations that provide habitat to keep populations of native beneficial insects living on the farm ready to attack crop pests as they occur.
• Alternative Crops / Animals - develop alternative crops, animals or products that help a producer's operation become more economically sustainable. They must be as environmentally sustainable as the existing crops, animals and products they supplement or replace.
• Sustainable Marketing Projects - develop markets for existing or alternative crops, animals or products.
• Sustainable Grazing Systems - use native grass species and or plant / animal management systems to make grazing systems more sustainable.
• Agroforestry / Water Quality - use trees in farm systems to promote sustainability including water quality and quantity. Silvopastoral systems are of particular interest A complete listing of focus areas, along with instructions, guidelines and criteria are in the Producer Grant Program 2009 Call for Proposals document on the Web at www. southernsare. uga. edu / currentcalls / producer. doc.
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