On October 19th, our Extension team -- including Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez, David Hill, and Rip Weaver -- were honored to attend the Arkansas Community Foundation's affiliate meeting at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock. Dr. Perez presented on food systems and food safety and the team participated in a food system asset mapping session facilitated by the Wallace Center at Winrock International. The ACF is supporting incredible work in Arkansas to grow local food systems through grants supported by their generous donors.
While Arkansas continues to rank in the top spots for food insecurity, hunger, obesity, chronic disease and access to healthy food, there is more awareness and community-led efforts in local foods (community gardens, farmers markets, school-based programs) and food security (Double-Up Food Bucks incentive, food pantries, and meal deliveries) than a decade ago. This hard work is bound to produce more fruit in the coming years. We hope to see the same growth in small farms as well.
And shout out to Bell Urban Farm for brightening up this event with these beautiful bouquets!
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