July 2025

Upcoming Events

Preserving Arkansas: Chow Chow Workshop – Register Now!

Join us on August 23rd from 11 AM to 4 PM at the Vines 4-H Center in Little Rock for the next hands-on installment of our Preserving Arkansas workshop series. We’ll be making classic Southern chow chow and walking through the essentials of safe, legal value-added food production in Arkansas. The workshop will be led in part by Chef Margie Raimondo, who will once again bring her expertise - and charm - to the kitchen as our culinary guide for the day.

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to grow your food business, this is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and preserve something delicious.

🔗 Reserve your spot here.

September 5 - 6, 2025

After the Harvest is a two-day gathering focused on the infrastructure, innovation, and relationships that keep local food systems moving - after food leaves the field. Join us to explore post-harvest handling, aggregation, distribution marketing, food safety, and business models that support small and mid-scale producers across Arkansas.

This year’s event brings together growers, retailers, educators, and advocates to explore the infrastructure, innovation, and partnerships that keep local food systems thriving.

Sessions will cover a wide range of topics—from post-harvest handling and food safety to retail models, business logistics, and producer support strategies. Whether you're a farmer, a food entrepreneur, or a local food champion, there’s something here for you.

Friday, Sept. 5 offers a special pre-conference opportunity to attend the Argus Farm Stop School, a hands-on workshop led by the nationally recognized team from Argus Farm Stop. This session will dive into the farm stop model, sharing practical tools and real-world lessons for launching or improving your own retail and aggregation space. The afternoon workshop is followed by a casual dinner, cooking class with renowned Chef Margie Raimondo, and social event where attendees can network with speakers and fellow participants.

Saturday, Sept. 6 is the main conference day, featuring keynote speakers from Argus Farm Stop, breakout sessions, and opportunities to connect with growers, market managers, value-added producers, funders, educators, and others strengthening Arkansas’s local food systems.

Early bird registration is available through August 6. Space is limited - reserve your spot today!

Location: Arkansas 4-H Center, 1 Four H Way, Little Rock, AR 72223

Tentative Schedule - Check back for updates

Friday, September 5

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

🕒 Registration

1:30 – 1:45 PM

🗣 Welcome & Opening Remarks

Speaker: John Anderson, Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (CES UADA); Sarah Bakker, Local Food Supply Chain Lead, CES UADA

1:45 – 2 PM

🍽 Setting the Table for Local Food

Farm Stop Trend, Event Purpose & Introductions

Speaker: Amanda Philyaw Perez, Associate Professor & Extension Specialist – Food Systems and Safety, CES UADA

2 – 2:45 PM

🔍 Session #1: Farm Stop Model and National Network

Speaker: Katie Barr, Local Food Systems Outreach Specialist, The Common Market

2:45 – 4 PM

🔍 Session #2: Argus Farm Stop School

Overview, Business Structure, Handling & Merchandising

Speaker: Argus Farm Stop

4 – 4:15 PM

☕ Break

4:15 – 5:15 PM

🔍 Session #3: Argus Farm Stop School

Inventory, Seasonal Mix & Farmer Communication

Speaker: Argus Farm Stop

5:15 – 5:30 PM

☕ Break

5:30 – 6:30 PM

🎉 Opening Reception: Cooking with Local Chef: Margie Raimondo, Urbana Farmstead

6:30 – 8 PM

🍽 Dinner & Social

Saturday, September 6 - Morning

7:30 – 8:30 AM

☀️ Registration & Light Breakfast

8:30 – 8:40 AM

🗣 Welcome & Opening Remarks

Speaker: Shane Gadberry, Associate Director of Agriculture & Natural Resources, CES UADA

8:40 – 9:30 AM

🔍 Session #1: The Farm Stop Model and Consignment Approach

Speaker: Katie Barr / Argus Farm Stop

9:30 – 9:45 AM

🔍 Session #2: Farm Stops in Arkansas – Local Models & Solutions

Speakers: Kim Doughty-McCannon (Bell Urban Farm), Margie Raimondo (Urbana Farmstead), Others TBD

9:45 – 10:30 AM

🔍 Session #3: From Inspiration to Action – Identifying Your Role in Arkansas’s Food System

Facilitator: TBD

10:30 – 10:45 AM

☕ Break

10:45 – 11:45 AM

🔍 Session #4: Growing Your Farm Stop – Forecasting, Funding & Marketing

Speaker: Kathy Sample / Argus Farm Stop

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

💬 Session #5: The Vendor Perspective Panel

Panelists:

Dan Spatz (Healthy Flavors)

Robin Ralston (Ralston Family Farm)

Dan York (York Pecan Co.)

Kim Huffman (Huffman’s Family Farm)

Others TBD

12:30 – 1:45 PM

🍽 Lunch

Saturday, September 6 - Afternoon

1:45 – 2:30 PM

Business Track:

🔍 Breakout #1: Startup Infrastructure

Speakers:

Nick Stevens —Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center

Phillip Adams (Forge)

Katie Barr, The Farm Stop Model

Kesha Cobb, Urban Agribusiness

Aggregation Track:

🔍 Breakout #1: Inventory Management & Tools

Speaker: Argus Farm Stop

2:30 – 3:30 PM

Business Track:

🔍 Breakout #2: Regulatory Grounding – Value-Added Cases & Places

Speakers: Sungil Ferreira, Renee Threlfall, Darryl Holliday, David Hill

Aggregation Track:

🔍 Breakout #2: Postharvest Handling, Safety & Transport Solutions

Speakers: Amanda Philyaw Perez, Sarah Bakker, Others TBD

3:30 – 3:45 PM

☕ Break

Saturday, September 6 - Closing Sessions

3:45 – 4:30 PM

🔍 Session #6: Strategic Growth & Scaling (Part 1)

Panelists:

Sandy DeCoursey (St. Joseph’s Center)

Kent Krause (Ferndale Market)

Megan Renihan (Nature’s Market & RV Park)

Lauren Castleberry (Berkley Farms)

Ekko Barnhill (Barnhill Orchards)

4:30 – 5 PM

🔍 Session #7: Strategic Growth & Scaling (Part 2)

Speakers:

Jack Sundell (The Root Café)

Katy Elliot (Arkansas Local Food Network)

Brandon Gordon (Five Acre Farms)

Topics: Seasonality, Sourcing, Vendor Relationships

5 – 5:30 PM

🔗 Network or Association Development & Closing

Facilitator: TBD

*subject to change as we finalize our program

What does it cost?

Friday, Sept. 5 (half day)

Early bird registration (until Aug. 6): $15
Regular registration (Aug. 6 – Sept. 1): $30

Saturday, Sept. 6 (full day)

Early bird registration (until Aug. 6): $30
Regular registration (Aug. 6 – Sept. 1): $60

Meals, snacks, and beverages provided with registration. Limited registrations available due to space and funding. Register today!

Lodging information provided at registration.

Urban Farming in Small Spaces

Tue, Jul 22 | Alpha Center

Discover how to grow fresh food right where you are in our Urban Farming in Small Spaces workshop. This session will explore creative, practical ways to farm in backyards, patios, and even windowsills. Whether you're a beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, learn how to maximize limited space

Time & Location

Jul 22, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Alpha Center, 1500 S Ringo St, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA

RSVP: Urban Farming in Small Spaces

Local Foods

USDA Regional Food Business Centers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the termination of the Regional Food Business Centers (RFBC) program, a pandemic-era initiative launched with one-time, temporary funding from Congress.

While more than 450 existing grant commitments to farmers and food businesses will be honored to support ongoing farm planning, stakeholders are advised not to expect the program to continue. Remaining funds will be redirected to other agricultural support efforts.

Of the 12 Regional Food Business Centers originally established, only 8 have selected or issued Business Builder grants. Centers that have not yet made these commitments—including the Great Lakes Midwest RFBC, Southeast RFBC, Delta RFBC, and Islands and Remote Areas RFBC—will be terminated.

Arkansas was served by both the Heartland RFBC and the Delta RFBC. With these two Arkansas serving RFBCs among those being discontinued, the change may impact future regional support and development opportunities in the state.

The Delta RFBC made no grant awards.
The Heartland RFBC made two awards in Arkansas. Learn more here and here.

Still Curious About Farm Stops?

If you're currently running a farm stop or thinking about starting one, we’d love to hear from you! What is a farm stop? Check out this article at Resilience.org.

Fill out our quick Farm Stop Interest Form to help us better understand what support, resources, or connections would be most useful as we continue our research and outreach. Whether you’re just exploring the idea or already up and running, your input is valuable!

Farm Stop Interest Form

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

Arkansas Invests in Local Food Supply Through RFSI

Infrastructure Projects Moving Forward

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has been working closely with local partners to launch new infrastructure projects funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program. With applications for the program now closed, selected projects are moving forward to strengthen the state’s food supply chain and expand opportunities for small farms and food businesses.

The RFSI Program is a USDA initiative designed to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain—specifically focusing on activities like processing, aggregation, and distribution. Unlike previous USDA programs that concentrated on meat and poultry, RFSI targets other key sectors such as specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, and aquaculture.

In Arkansas, these funds are supporting infrastructure that enables producers to scale up their operations and access new markets. Projects will help expand capacity for aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, and wholesale distribution of locally and regionally produced food.

The program’s goals include:

Supporting value-added product development
Ensuring fair prices and wages across the supply chain
Creating safe, sustainable job opportunities in rural communities

Eligible applicants included agricultural producers, food processors, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, local and tribal governments, and institutions. By supporting infrastructure improvements for these stakeholders, Arkansas is helping build a more resilient and equitable food system that benefits both producers and consumers across the state.

More updates on funded projects will be shared as implementation progresses.

Equipment-Only Grants Facing Delays

While several infrastructure projects in Arkansas are moving forward through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program, applicants for equipment-only grants are experiencing continued administrative delays.

These equipment-only grants in Arkansas were designed to support producers and businesses with funding for commercial grade refrigeration to strengthen the middle of the food supply chain. Although Arkansas received strong interest and submitted eligible applications, final approvals and disbursement of funds have not yet been completed.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is actively working with USDA to resolve these delays and will provide updates to applicants as soon as more information is available. Thank you for your continued patience and commitment to building a more resilient local food system.

Contact Sarah Bakker at sbakker@uada.edu for more info.

Value-Added

Launch or Grow Your Food Business with Share Grounds!

Are you dreaming of starting a food business from your home kitchen—or ready to take your existing business to the next level? The Share Grounds program is here to help!

We offer hands-on outreach and expert technical support to guide you through every step of launching or expanding your food business. Whether you're making jams, baked goods, sauces, or other value-added products, Share Grounds provides technical information for food business startup, access to certified commercial kitchen space, business planning assistance, regulatory guidance, and connections to local markets.

Our program offers technical support at three locations.