BAN ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTING OF COTTON

Subject: Cotton in flower beds, gardens, educational displays, and other non-commercial plantings  

Currently ALL non-commercial cotton MUST be registered through the Plant Board for approval! 

While a boll weevil has not been caught in Arkansas for several years, we are still in an active boll weevil eradication program.  This requires the Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation (ABWEF) to monitor all cotton plantings statewide, sample or trap for occurrence of boll weevils, and take the appropriate measures should a weevil be trapped.  All plantings of cotton in the state are subject to fee on an acre basis to defray the expense of the program.  The collection of fees is coordinated by the Arkansas State Plant Board (ASPB).  To facilitate this process, Plant Board regulations are currently in place that prohibit ornamental (non-commercial) cotton in the entire state of Arkansas.  However, the ABWEF with approval from the ASPB will work with individuals and organizations to place traps where they have cotton plants for educational purposes.  This requires some additional effort by ABWEF personnel and those conducting the cotton educational program or exhibit.  These sites need to be made known to the ABWEF personnel as soon as possible to ensure proper mapping and timely deployment of boll weevil traps to ensure the continued success of the program. 

Those who wish to conduct a cotton educational program or exhibit that includes the planting and growing of cotton are encouraged to contact Regina Coleman (rcoleman@abwep.org), Executive Director of ABWEF.  She will need information on proposed planting date, location, and contact information for the person or group overseeing the project. 

We appreciate your interest in conducting cotton educational programs in Arkansas.  Feel free to contact me or your local county Extension agent for additional resources for your cotton educational program. 

Regards,
Bill 

Bill Robertson, Ph.D.
Professor, Cotton Extension Agronomist
University of Arkansas System
Division of Agriculture
Newport Extension Center
649 Jackson 917
Newport, AR  72112
Cell  (501) 425 0549


Janet Carson
Consumer Horticulture Specialist
Arkansas Master Gardener Coordinator
2301 South University Ave
Little Rock, AR 72204
jcarson@uaex.edu