Students from the Arkansas Tech University Department of Agriculture and Tourism took advantage of an optional field trip to learn more about growing peaches and grapes in the Arkansas River Valley as part of their studies during summer 2025.
ATU students Grace Cogswell and Emma Snow toured Peach Pickin’ Paradise in Clarksville. Cogswell and Snow were joined by fellow ATU student Connor Ryan for a visit to Dahlem Vineyards in Altus.
“The farmers shared tips and advice with the ATU agriculture and tourism students, including topics such as pruning methods, pesticide application rates and strategies to ward off late frost damage,” said Dr. Jennifer Lewter, ATU visiting instructor of agriculture. “Both tours involved sampling the delicious fresh fruits available, which was undeniably the best part of the class.”
Ten students completed the Small Fruit and Nut Culture course at ATU during summer 2025. Lewter served as instructor for the course.
Steve Morgan and Mark Morgan at Peach Pickin’ Paradise and James Dahlem at Dahlem Vineyards shared their knowledge with the ATU students who participated in the field trips.
“The farmers were fantastic hosts and lecturers,” said Lewter. “They really went above and beyond in describing how they run successful fruit farms in our state. The farmers did not sugar coat their labor demands. They told the students how difficult it is to grow peaches, table grapes and wine grapes in Arkansas, since most of these crops are not originally from this area. The disease pressures are high, and you really need to know what you are doing in order to turn a profit. And a hard, late frost in the season can still wipe out your crop, even if you are a fruit-growing expert.”
Learn more about the ATU Department of Tourism and Agriculture at www.atu.edu/business.
