‘Rural Profile’ hits the road

LITTLE ROCK — Researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be travelling across the state in the coming months, holding sessions designed to help local communities use data tools they developed for economic and community development.

 

Frank Seo, extension professor of rural development for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the “Rural Profile Road Show” is an effort to both highlight the information available in extension’s recently published 2025 Rural Profile of Arkansas and to help local communities understand how they can access even greater layers of data.

 

“We aim to engage directly with community leaders to share the fundamentals of using impactful data, explain why it matters and clarify how it can inform local decision-making,” Seo said. “We highlight the types of data most useful for planning and demonstrate practical applications of the Rural Profile in their work.”

 

Additionally, Seo said, the engagement sessions will premiere the recently launched Labor Market Observatory dashboard, which will offer timely insights on employment, wages and industry trends to support effective community planning.

 

The road show will kick off with an online session, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. Those interested in participating can register online. Additionally, there are three in-person events scheduled for locations throughout Arkansas: Magnolia on Oct. 9, Pine Bluff on Oct. 23 and Fayetteville on Nov. 6. Each session will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at noon. Attendance is free, and registration for each of the events is available online.

 

“We selected Magnolia, Pine Bluff and Fayetteville to represent different regions of the state and provide diverse perspectives on rural challenges and opportunities,” Seo said. “Each location has active community partners and a strong interest in using data for local planning, making them ideal hosts for these conversations.”

 

Seo said that if other communities express interest for a road show visit, he and his team will work to make it happen.

 

“We are happy to provide additional sessions anytime and anywhere they are needed,” he said.

 

During the road show sessions, Seo and collaborator Rodrigo Ramirez-Perez, research analyst for Heartland Forward, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, will introduce a variety of data sources, including public, private, academic and other sources. Seo said presenters will highlight each source’s strengths, limitations, and appropriate use.

 

“We also demonstrate visualization and mapping tools to help participants apply data effectively in local projects,” Seo said.

 

The Rural Profile and LMO dashboards are free and accessible online to everyone. To obtain a printed copy of the 2025 Rural Profile of Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service Agent.

 

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.