The twenty-second annual Arkansas Agriculture Exposition is set for Feb. 7 and 8, at the Forrest city Civic Center, according to Margy Cannon, County Extension Agent - Staff Chairman.
"Once again, this year's Expo will feature a broad lineup of Extension Service county agents, specialists, and researchers. The latest information on crops will be presented through a series of educational sessions aimed at helping farmers," Cannon said.
The educational seminars will begin at 8:45 a.m. daily in the conference room of the Forrest city Civic Center. Speakers will cover the very latest technology on production, genetics, high yields with less costs, management and other topics. In addition, about 50 commercial and educational exhibits will display the latest technology in crop protection products, services, seed and fertilizer. Exhibits will be on the inside and outside of the Forrest City Civic Center.
The first Expo was held in 1980. The event, which draws farmers and other agricultural representatives from several states, was the first of its kind in the Arkansas Delta. In 2000, over 700 people attended.
The two-day Expo gives farmers an excellent opportunity to see what's new and to talk with representatives of the businesses involved. There will be widespread farmer involvement in each of the six educational clinics.
Profits in farming and ranching result from the use of the most efficient technology. Each farmer works to "keep up" with the changing technology. Some of that technology will be available to those attending the Expo. Industry representatives will be presenting information on their new ideas' and Extension Service representatives will be presenting last year's research and this year's recommendations. Whatever questions or plans there are for a new farm year, answers should available at the 2001 Expo.
The agenda for Wednesday is as follows: Wednesday, Feb. 7--Marketing and Economics - 8:45-9:45 a.m., Lazaro English, Moderator; Enterprise Analysis-James Marshall and Scott Stiles; Crop Insurance-Tony Windham; Market Outlook-Gene; Feed Grains - 10:30-11:30 a.m., Rick Wimberley, Moderator; Corn and Milo Research Verification-Jeremy Ross; Corn Drying-Dr. Dennis Gardisser; Milo and Corn Production Inovations-Dr. William Johnson; Soybeans - 1:30-2:30 p.m., Justin Hensley, Moderator; Irrigation Techniques-Phil Tacker; Varieties and Production-Dr. Lanny Ashlock; Control--Dr. Ford Baldwin; Varieties and Production--Dr. Lanny Ashlock; Wheat - 3:00-3:50 p.m., Larry Stauber, Moderator; Wheat Production/New Herbicides-Dr. William Johnson; Disease Identification and Control-Cliff Coker.
Sessions will continue on Thursday.
Thursday, Feb. 8 -- Cotton - 8:45-10 a.m., Mitch Crow, Moderator; Boll Weevil Eradication--Doug Lander and Don Johnson; Weed Control-Ken Smith; Aphid Fungus, AGDIA, and Moth Trapping-Dr. Gus Lorenz; Varieties and Production-Dr. Bill Robertson; Rice - 10:30-11-50 a.m., Jason McGee, Moderator; Weed Control-Dr. Ford Baldwin; Disease Control-Dr. Rick Cartwright; Nitrogen Efficiency-Dr. Rick Norman; New Varieties-Dr. Karen Moldenahauer; Zinc Seed Treatments-Dr. Nathan Slaton.
More information about the Arkansas Agriculture Exposition can be obtained by contacting county Extension agent Margy Cannon, 313 Izard, Ste 14, Forrest City, Ar. 72335-3856, or by calling 870-261-1730.
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
A Forrest City resident has been named Pilot of the Year for 2000, in the State of Arkansas' Civil Air Patrol.
Lt. Col. Vester Wroten, 80, was given the honor over 200 pilots in the CAP.
"The CAP is the auxiliary for the United States Air Force," said Wroten. "First, we are used for emergencies, such as earthquakes and spotting drug traffickers and assisting in the search for escaped prisoners. We are at the disposal of the county judges, sheriffs and mayors.
"Second, we are a cadet program," said Wroten. "We train young people and teach them how to wear the uniform and say 'yes sir', 'yes ma'am', and the like. We also train them in physical fitness.
"If a young person completes the training," said Wroten, "Then he or she can enlist in the military as an E-3."
Wroten said the third purpose of the CAP is aviation space education. "We try to keep abreast of the latest technologies in aerodynamics and tests on new aircraft, said Wroten.
According to Wroten, the Arkansas wing of the CAP has 200 pilots. "I guess you could say that this 80-year-old man beat out 199 other pilots for the honor of Pilot of the Year," he said.
"We have 12 squadrons in the Arkansas wing of the CAP," said Wroten. "There are 200 pilots and we log about 3,000 hours a year. Lately, we have been flying the route for the earthquake about four times a year. We can cover every numbered highway in Northeast Arkansas. That way we can spot bridges that may be out and can report emergencies to the Emergency Service office in Conway," said Wroten.
Wroten says even though he is 80 years old, he still holds an instrument and communications rating and can still pass a second class medical examination.
Wroten was born in Booneville, Miss. and came here years ago to pick cotton. "I liked it so well, I never went back to Mississippi," said Wroten. "I was even inducted into the Army in Marion, during World War II."
Wroten's service to his country is as impressive as his CAP career. "I was in the Army Infantry 96th Division," he says. "I was stationed in the Pacific and we made the initial landing on the island of Leyte in the Philippines. I was also on Okiniawa."
Wroten said he spent three years and three months in the Pacific, then served three years in the reserves. "I have also served 26 years in the National Guard," said Wroten.
Wroten, who is now retired from Eldridge Chevrolet in Forrest City, said he has held every position in the CAP and would like to see more people interested in volunteering with the Patrol. "We can use anyone of any age," said Wroten. "We meet the first and third Monday of every month, in the CAP hangar at the airport in Forrest City."
Two people were arrested Thursday when they were found in possession of drugs and a weapon.
According to the report by the Forrest City Police Department, an officer saw a motor bike turn off Cope onto Linden Road with a passenger. The officer noticed one of the two was a 17-year old Forrest City juvenile who had been previously served with a trespass notice for all Forrest City Housing Authority property.
The officer arrested the juvenile, and found that he and the passenger were sitting on a sawed-off shotgun. The officer also found some marijuana.
Also arrested was Michael Tyrone Hall, 18, of 2212 Sycamore, Forrest City.
Hall is charged with possessing a defaced firearm. The juvenile is charged with several offenses, including possession of marijuana, second offense, possession of a defaced firearm and possession a firearm by a certain person.
The March of Dimes Kick-off luncheon, scheduled for next week, has been postponed until Thursday, Feb. 15, at noon, in the inservice room at Baptiost Memorial Hospital-Forrest City .
The Crowley's Ridge Strutters chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its second annual membership drive, fund raising and auction this Saturday. Feb. 3.
The event will be held at the Forrest City Civic Center starting at 6 p.m.
There will be door prizes and dinner at 7 p.m.
The Strutters will also hold a drawing for the 2001 Gun of the Year, a Browning BPS 12-gauge shotgun.
Tickets for the banquet, which includes a year's membership in the chapter, are $40 for a single and $55 for couples.
Youth aged 7 and under will be admitted free while youth aged 8-18 can purchase tickets for $10.
For more information, call Randy Baldwin at 63304477 or 870-270-0050.