Arkansas State University was founded in 1909 as an agricultural school, known as the Agricultural & Mechanical Training School (A&M). It first offered a 2-year agriculture program in 1918, and a 4-year program began in 1930. In 1933 it changed its name to Arkansas State College, and in 1967 it became known as it is today, Arkansas State University.

The Farm program is still going strong. Today we run 296 acres. This is done with six full-time workers, and three part-time student workers.

The beef barn, main shop and the chicken house were all built in 1970. Two hog barns were added in 1977, a gestation barn in 1989, a farrowing house in 2001 and a new pig and finishing house in 2005.The dairy barn feed mill was added in 1986, where we grind our own feed.  

As part of their classes, the students come out and work hands on with the animals. They are taught to breed, both natural and by artificial insemination. They are responsible for worming, trimming feet and vaccinating. The classes are also taught to process all babies born.

Currently, there are:

52 Saint Croix’s/Hamshire cross breeding sheep and 3 rams
60 crossbred Hampshire/York breeding sows and 5 boars
55 crossbred Angus breeding cows and 2 bulls

Besides being a teaching farm, it is also a working farm.  The farm staff keep the farm going, and it pays its way.  Lamb and ewes are sold twice a year at the livestock sale in Memphis.  Sows and boars are bred and farrowed on schedule and are on a strict feed diet.  Because of their high quality, these are sold 3 to 4 times a year to the Jimmy Dean Processing Center.  The early wean pigs are sold to a feed lot in Missouri.  The cows are sold at different livestock barns around the state.  We raise hay, approximately 300 round bales and 1800 square bales a year for our animals, and when times are dry we sell to local farmers in need.

 We have put together a petting zoo for children and adults alike. We currently host the petting zoo twice year.  This is a good opportunity for families to spend time together, and to get to visit the animals.  We have baby pigs to hold, cows and sheep to pet, horse back rides, a hay ride and a good time for all.

 At the Equine Center we have 9 horses that belong to ASU.  Four horses are leased. Twenty five horses are boarded (they belong to students). Riding classes come out 4 times a week for instruction. Boarding is available at a reasonable rate for students and alumni only.

The Equine Center is also paying its way with the center being rented out on weekends for many horse shows, rodeos, small circuses and various events.  The Equine Center also hosts a riding camp in the summer for children age 10 to 16.  The students are taught riding, care for the horses and equipment for experienced leaders, while experiencing the life of living in the dorms, and eating meals on campus.

The Horticulture program has 3 acres which include Display Gardens, an orchard and small fruits area and a production greenhouse. The Craighead County Master Gardeners help with maintenance of the site. We produce blackberries, blueberries, grapes, peaches, apples and conduct research on tomato production.

The Plant Science/Agronomy area sits on 40 acres of the farm. Plots are raised for research. Crops include corn, soybeans, maize and sunflowers. Also a large area is devoted to the Herbicide Symptomology Training program. Many agricultural and horticultural crops are planted and then sprayed with drift rates of herbicides. The State Plant Board and Consultants from Arkansas and surrounding states come to ASU during June for the training program.           

By a combined effort of many departments at ASU, local businesses and citizens we have recently started a Farmers' Market.  It runs every Saturday from mid June through late October.  Here we have area vendors selling vegetables, fruit, flowers, plants and homemade crafts.  Our Saturday morning crowds have kept both students and vendors busy.