LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Wheat Promotion Board today announced $83,533 in funding for research and promotion projects. The selected projects will support the growth and market development of Arkansas’ wheat industry.
“These investments reflect our commitment to delivering real value to Arkansas wheat growers,” said Tim Smith, Wheat Promotion Board Chairman. “Every project we fund, whether it advances research, enhances markets, or expands consumer understanding, helps build a stronger, more resilient wheat industry.”
The Board received 14 proposals requesting $222,409 in funding. Of those, two promotion projects totaling $5,000 and five research projects totaling $78,533 were approved for fiscal year 2027. The request for proposals was open from May 1–31, 2026.
Promotion projects selected for funding are as follows:
Arkansas Farm Bureau – Elementary Agriculture Education Professional Development Workshop Sponsorship
Funding Amount: $2,500
Summary: This project will provide a two‑day professional development workshop for educators in participating pilot‑program schools, equipping them to introduce K–6 students to agriculture through a ready‑to‑use curriculum.
Arkansas Farm Bureau – Wheat Ag Reader for Youth
Funding Amount: $2,500
Summary: This project will develop an eight‑page youth publication featuring information and graphics about Arkansas’ wheat industry, including the wheat life cycle, production, uses, and classroom activities.
Research projects selected for funding are as follows:
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture – Diversifying Arkansas Wheat Application: Chemical and Water-Free Electrostatic Fractionation for High-Functionality Wheat Protein
Funding Amount: $17,679
Summary: This project will develop a dry electrostatic fractionation method to isolate protein‑rich flour from Arkansas‑grown wheat while preserving high‑molecular‑weight glutenins essential for dough performance, supporting value‑added uses and expanding market opportunities.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture – Evaluation of Safeners to Enable New Herbicide or Uses in Wheat
Funding Amount: $20,000
Summary: This project will evaluate wheat tolerance and weed control effectiveness of key herbicides, with and without seed‑treatment safeners, through multiple field and greenhouse studies designed to address resistant ryegrass and other weed challenges.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture – Pest Management Using Recommended Wheat Varieties
Funding Amount: $16,700
Summary: This project will collect foliar disease data from statewide variety trials to develop and share a list of disease‑resistant, high‑yielding wheat varieties, while also determining the return on investment of fungicide applications.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture – Relay Cropping Potential in Arkansas
Funding Amount: $9,654
Summary: This project will evaluate the feasibility of relay‑cropping wheat and soybeans in Arkansas through a proof‑of‑concept model, assessing whether the approach can strengthen wheat’s economic appeal, particularly where early soybean planting is desired.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture – Wheat Research Verification Program
Funding Amount: $14,500
Summary: This project will deliver an on‑farm demonstration program to teach producers, extension agents, and consultants best practices in agronomy, pest management, and production to achieve high‑yield, profitable wheat under Arkansas conditions.
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Media Contact: Ayden Duncan, (501) 813-6012
[email protected]
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