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More FREE Produce Washing Workshops

May Produce Safety Training

Welcome Evan Ware!

Food System Resources & Opportunities

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Produce Washing Workshops Continue!

FREE and Open to the Public

Announcing more FREE produce washing workshops!

These are geared towards small-scale farmers, backyard gardeners, homesteaders, and anyone interested in improving their fruit and vegetable washing and handling practices.


After attending, you will have a better idea of:


💧 general “best practices” for washing and packing produce

🚿 types of wash systems based on crops

🧼 when to consider using sanitizers

🫧 how to choose a sanitizer and how to use it properly

🪣 an effective wash/pack setup that won't break the bank


Visit our webpage here to learn more about these workshops.

REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOPS!

Thank you to Jefferson, Saline, and Faulkner County Extension Offices for hosting.


Questions? Contact Sarah Bakker here.

May Produce Safety Grower Training

Limited Space Available!

Who should attend

Anyone who grows, harvests, packs and handles fresh fruits and vegetables.


Why you should attend

On-farm food safety practices are vital in the produce industry. Many farms are now required to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. This training will educate growers on that Rule.


What you receive

Upon completion of this training, participants receive a certificate satisfying the requirement 112.22(c) in the Produce Safety Rule. Attendance during entire training required for receipt.

REGISTER HERE!

Training is May 29th-30th

REGISTRATION CLOSES

MAY 22nd


Training manual provided


This is a REMOTE (virtual) training. Participants must have the following technology to participate:


1) Zoom video conferencing software

2) Web camera and microphone

3) Internet access


Participant attendance and engagement will be monitored. Participants are only eligible for PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion if they are present for ALL modules of the course.

Questions? Contact Rip Weaver here.

Welcome Evan Ware!

Program Associate for the BAAND Project

Please join us in welcoming Evan Ware to our Extension team!


Evan has a bachelor's degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech and a master's degree in horticulture from Auburn University. She's worked in several public gardens across the Southeast and has Extension experience in both Alabama and Mississippi as an extension agent, primarily in the area of home horticulture.


Evan will assist with the BAAND (Building an Arkansas Agricultural Network Development) project which aims to bring together a Micro Agriculture Food Systems Council comprised of growers, urban agriculture educators, industry partners and other local foods system stakeholders to help plan outreach and training for backyard and small-scale growers. She will work closely with the council on a needs assessment as we begin to develop a foundational micro agriculture curriculum to teach the basics of food production on an individual, community, or market gardening scale.


Keep an eye out for more information as we begin to develop this exciting new program!

Food System Resources & Opportunities

CLICK THE IMAGE TO ACCESS THE RESOURCE & OPPORTUNITY

GRANT/FUNDING 💲

Environmental Quality Incentives Program & Conservation Stewardship Program

Arkansas's USDA Natural Resources Coneservation Service (NRCS) recently announced two funding opportunities - listed below - for Arkansas growers to "help agricultural producers throughout Arkansas make best use of their natural resources where agricultural production is often limited by competing land uses and higher costs of utilization,” said Arkansas NRCS State Conservationist Mike Sullivan. “Urban and small farmers provide critical access to healthy food for local communities, as well as jobs, increased green spaces, and community engagement.”


1) Environmental Quality Incentives Program's (EQIP)

Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Initiaive


2) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)


Deadline to apply is May 17, 2024


Applicants are encouraged to work with NRCS and the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to complete eligibility requirements at their earliest convenience during the application process. For a complete list of practices and enhancements that may be funded and to begin your application, visit your local USDA service center.


Please note: CSP applications will be processed as they are received, so it's beneficial to submit as early as possible.


CLICK HERE TO READ THE STUTTGART DAILY LEADER'S PRESS RELEASE

FACT SHEET 📄

Introduction to Produce Safety for Hydroponic & Aquaponic Growers

The Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety (NECAFS) has recently released a fact sheet that summarizes traditional good agricultural practices (GAPs) along with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule and demonstrates how to apply these produce safety schemes in hydroponic and aquaponic operations. NECAFS's resource builds upon and expands previous work in this area, providing engaging examples and links to many external resources.



For this and many other hydroponic and aquaponic produce safety resources from NECAFS, click here.

WORKSHOP 🗣️

Plan, Produce, Profit! Value-Added Food Processing Opportunities in NWA 

Are you in the Northwest Arkansas region and want to learn more on how you can take a food product concept to the commercial market? Then be sure to attend "PLAN, PRODUCE, PROFIT! Value-Added Food Processing Opportunities in NWA" on Monday, May 6 from 9am to 4pm. LUNCH INCLUDED!


Hosted by the UA System at the Don Tyson Center for Agriculture Sciences in Fayetteville, workshop participants will explore:


🫙 Value-Added Product Overview

🫙 Food Safety & Practices

🫙 Challenges with Recipe Scale Up

🫙 Shared-Use Facilities & Equipment in NWA

🫙 Costs for Creating Value-Added Food

🫙 Food Processing Basics

🫙 Liability in Value-Added Food Production

🫙 Marketing Value-Added Food Production


There will also be a Value-Added Food Products Showcase and a panel of growers and entrepreneurs working in this space.


REGISTRATION is $20 per person and includes lunch and refreshments.

Preregistration deadline is May 1, 2024. No refunds after this date.

Register by scanning the QR code above or clicking here.


For more information contact Renee Threlfall here.