With an eclipse happening overhead and BBQ sandwiches in hand, the Arkansas State University College of Agriculture held the annual Farm Day for the community to learn more about agriculture. 

Dean of the College of Agriculture, Mickey Latour said Farm Day has evolved from the petting zoo Bill and Alice Nix established in 2007. 

“Last year, we decided to work with Dr. Sullivan and consider a name change and the whole idea behind that is we wanted people to really know a little bit better about where their food comes from. We look forward to this event growing,” Latour said. 

Farm Day included a petting zoo with student volunteers teaching children about the animals present such as pigs, ponies, goats, sheep and cows. It also featured hayrides around the farms with agricultural students explaining what each facility had to offer and the local food truck Trauma Hogs serving barbeque.

The College of Agriculture partners with the Craighead County Master Gardeners to create a pollinator garden on the A-State farm for community members to visit and enjoy. 

Master Gardeners volunteered to teach community members about native plants and non native plants including water lilies that were specially hybridized on campus.

“This is the best kept secret in Jonesboro. It is wonderful and we’re so excited that everyone gets to come and see it and we’re privileged that A-State partners with us” said Master Gardener Karen Massey, from Jonesboro. 

Massey said the Master Gardeners propagated and grew most of the plants that were not native or perennials in the A-State greenhouse from November 2022 to May 2023. 

Whitney Eldridge, Jonesboro community member, said the food from Trauma Hogs is wonderful and her children have such a good time at Farm Day. 

“It’s a great opportunity to serve the community and I love that the (College of Agriculture) does this and opens their farm and gardens to us. I think that’s just so great,” Eldridge said.

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