The National Park Service has announced that bidding is open for 24 agricultural special use permits to hay designated fields within the Buffalo National River area, located in Newton and Searcy counties. Bids will be accepted from September 15 through October 15, and permits will be valid for a five-year term.
Applications must be submitted via mail and received no later than 4 p.m. on October 15. Following the submission deadline, a panel of subject matter experts will review and evaluate each bid. All applicants will be notified of the status of their submission once the review process concludes.
The haying permits are part of the park’s effort to maintain the landscape’s traditional farming appearance while supporting habitats for local wildlife, including elk, deer, ground-nesting birds, and small mammals. The strategy aligns with Natural Resources Conservation Service guidelines and broader conservation efforts aimed at protecting the Buffalo River watershed.
Interested bidders can request a permit package with maps, approximate field sizes, bid instructions, and a sample permit. To receive these materials, individuals should contact park staff at 870-365-2724 or email buff_concessions@nps.gov.
Permit holders will be responsible for applying fertilizer and lime to the fields in accordance with recommendations provided by soil sample reports from the University of Arkansas Extension Service. Additionally, hay may not be transported outside the Arkansas chronic wasting disease zone. To help minimize environmental impacts, tractors left in the fields must have spill trays placed beneath their motors.
These measures are part of the park's commitment to combining agricultural practices with environmental conservation. The Buffalo National River’s haying program has been developed to fit within the park’s broader resource management goals, ensuring sustainable land use while preserving local heritage and wildlife habitats.