Booneville Plant Materials Center (ARPMC)
Serving areas in the States of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma
Established: 1987
Size: 282 acres
PMC Operation: NRCS
Land Ownership: State of Arkansas
The Booneville Plant Materials Center (ARPMC) is co-located with the Agricultural Research Service at the Dale Bumpers Small Farm Research Center 6 miles south of Booneville Arkansas on state highway 23. The ARPMC develops plants and plant science technology to address conservation issues in areas from the rugged Ozarks to the western coastal plain. The Center serves portions of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.”
The area is characterized by small family farms. Forage, poultry, and timber production are the major land uses. The soils are most often shallow, stony, and erosive. The area’s economy is supported largely by agriculture, coal mining, and tourism.
The Center focuses on protection and enhancement of water quality, pastureland, woodlands, wildlife habitat, and critical area treatment. The ARPMC works to reduce erosion on highways, develops vegetative solutions for reclaimed surface mine sites, and assess the biomass production potential of switchgrass.
The Booneville Plant Materials Center has developed improved conservation plants, including Hampton Germplasm big bluestem and ‘Bumpers’ eastern gamagrass.
Highlights
PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURAL LANDS AND WATERSHEDS
Maintain and improve productivity of agricultural lands and watersheds
- Pasture and hayland production in the Southern Ozarks and the Arkansas River Valley are improved with the development of 'Bumpers' eastern gamagrass and Hampton Germplasm big bluestem
- Droughty conditions in Arkansas, southern Missouri, and eastern Oklahoma are addressed through evaluation of indiangrass ecotypes for forage production, wildlife habitat, and conservation cover.
- Grazing management practices are improved in Arkansas, southern Missouri, and eastern Oklahoma through the development of growth curves of native warm-season grasses.
- Switchgrass cultivars are evaluated for adaptability and biofuel feedstock.
PROVIDE PLANT MATERIALS AND PLANT TECHNOLOGY TO OUR CUSTOMERS
Transfer plant information and technology to customers
- NRCS field office staff are trained in plant identification, establishment, and management of adapted plant materials for conservation programs.
- Conservation partners in Arkansas are trained in the use of cultural techniques for establishment and management of native grasses.
- Plant materials technology is transferred to the public through Plant Materials Center field days and USDA-Agriculture Research Service Workshop Activities.
PROVIDE EQUAL ACCESS FOR ALL AMERICANS TO THE PLANT MATERIALS PROGRAM
Identify groups and individuals that may benefit from the PM program.
- Limited Resource Producers in eastern Arkansas are provided with information on the plant materials program and native seed harvesting and processing.
- Provide training on collecting, processing, establishing, and managing native grasses for local projects in the White River Watershed.
- Develop a plant and seed production venture working with the East Arkansas Enterprise Community.
Booneville Plant Materials Center
6883 S. State Highway 23
Booneville, AR 72927-9214
Telephone: 479-675-5182
Fax: 877-504-6538
