Three University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture staff members were recognized in the 2026 Arkansas Press Women communications contest, according to a June 3 announcement. The annual competition saw 338 entries from journalists, writers, designers, photographers and communications professionals across the state. Judges from various regions and communication backgrounds evaluated the submissions.
Kristin Netterstrom Higgins, program associate at the Division of Agriculture’s Public Policy Center, won first place for the Arkansas Ballot Issue Education Newsletter. Mary Hightower, content creator for the Division of Agriculture, received first place for ONE Division, a monthly employee newsletter. Higgins also earned second place in two categories: infographics for “Approved Arkansas Initiatives by Decade” and special programming for radio with “Direct Democracy Minute,” which aired on KABF-FM during Daniel Gold’s DGold Music Hour.
Hightower secured third place in obituary writing for “Williams remembered as ‘old school,’ highly knowledgeable in cotton,” along with nine honorable mentions. Torrie Smith, Carroll County extension staff chair, was awarded an honorable mention for specialty articles in the food category with “Back to school: Keeping lunches out of the danger zone.”
APW President Angie Faller said on Saturday, “We are incredibly proud of all the talented journalists, writers and communications professionals whose exceptional work during 2025 was recognized at this year’s contest, including Dwain Hebda for his remarkable fifth consecutive Sweepstakes Award. These winners represent the very best of storytelling and journalism excellence in Arkansas.”
First-place entrants who are members of the National Federation of Press Women will advance to NFPW’s national competition. National winners will be announced at NFPW’s annual conference scheduled for Sept. 24-25 at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland.
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and operates county offices throughout all 75 counties in Arkansas using research centers and extension stations as program delivery points, according to its official website. The service receives funding through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as state appropriations and aims to enhance agriculture, communities and families through research-backed practices.