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.
By The Arkansas Delta Informer Staff
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – March 31, 2026 – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is expecting dozens of in-person and online participants for its upcoming “Small Farm Program Conference,” which will focus on a wide range of topics, from estate planning, asset protection, and heirs’ property rights to food insecurity and the forestry supply chain.
Kandi Williams, outreach coordinator for the UAPB Small Farm Program’s “Keeping it in the Family” initiative, said the state’s leading Historically Black College & University (HBCU) will host the 2026 Southwest Arkansas Small Farms Conference on Thursday, April 30, at the University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana‘s Hempstead Hall, 2500 S. Main St. in Hope.
The one-day conference will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will focus on the theme “Building Connections That Strengthen Rural Communities.” The event is designed to bring together farmers, landowners, community leaders, and service providers to share resources and information that support rural development and farm sustainability, said Williams.
“We are expecting approximately 150 participants during the conference and hybrid sessions. Some of the popular topics will include estate planning, asset protection, solutions to food insecurity, building a family tree, cut flowers production, livestock and pasture management, and the forestry supply chain,” Williams told the Arkansas Delta Informer.
As noted, the conference will feature general and concurrent sessions addressing a range of topics relevant to small farms and rural communities, including agriculture production and marketing, community and workforce development, forestry and conservation, land ownership and succession planning, health and nutrition, and U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.
Selected sessions, including those on forestry and conservation as well as estate planning and heirs’ property, will be offered in a hybrid format and recorded to allow both in-person and virtual participation.
Besides UAPB, other program sponsors include the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Hempstead County Extension, the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. There is no registration fee, Williams said, and lunch will be provided.
“We are requesting participants pre-register to help our team plan for meals and conference materials,” said Williams, adding that a Zoom link will be provided for those who register and plan to join virtually
To register, contact Williams at 870.571.9428 or via email at williamska@uapb.edu or Hailey Wilkins 870.575.8186 or via email wilkinsha@uapb.edu.
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