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New this month:

  • Recap of the Arkansas Grown Expo
  • March Produce Safety Training - Register now! Only 10 spots remaining!!
  • NRCS EQIP-High Tunnel Initiative Open!
  • Three Upcoming Events to check out!

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First-ever Arkansas Grown Conference & Expo a huge success!

In late January, our team had the privilege to participate in the inaugural Arkansas Grown Conference & Expo held in Little Rock. WOW! What a wonderful gathering of the state's local food and agriculture community!


From producers & farmers to industry & regulators to academia & small business owners, this conference spanned the broad range of individuals and organizations working to grow and develop Arkansas's food system. With workshops, guest speakers, a vendor tradeshow, farm and local business tours, wine-tastings, and even a delightful meal prepared by students at Pulaski Tech's culinary program, attendees were treated to four days of education, information, collaboration, networking, and fellowship.


Our team conducted seven workshops on produce safey and value-added food processing, and we also shared resources at our vendor booth. We visited with growers and food business owners throughout the conference, including during off-site visits to Barnhill Orchards and The Nurserie. And we had the oppotunity to highlight our Share Grounds kitchen at the food tasting event on the final night of the conference at Pulaski Tech.


We are proud of what our state has accomplished; excited to have seen so many of our colleagues, community members, and friends attend; and grateful for the opportunity to share our work.


Thank you to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture for their leadership on this gathering, and we look forward to next year!

View More Photos from the Expo Here!

2023 Produce Safety Training Opportunities

March Registration Now Open!


Do you grow produce? Are you wanting to make sure you are in compliance with FDA guidelines? Join us for one of our Grower Trainings this year!


The March training will take place at the Craighead County Extension Office in Jonesboro, AR. This will be a full day training from 8am to 5:30pm with materials, lunch, and light refreshments provided.


Registration for the March training is open till March 13th, 2023!


Contact Gaby Sanders at gsanders@uada.edu or 501.671.2046 with any questions or concerns!

NRCS Arkansas announced the Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative on February 6, 2023 


The EQIP-High Tunnel application deadline is March 13, 2023!


Applications will be assessed and ranked as they are submitted to the field service center. Based on funds availability, application assessments with a ranking score of 100 points or greater will be preapproved immediately for the first batch of funding. Producers are encouraged to apply for the high tunnel funds at their earliest convenience.


For more information, contact your local office.

Visit the NRCS EQIP Application webpage

Upcoming Events

Grow watermelons?


Come join us for this meeting to hear from Extension Specialists about all your growing needs! Max Svobodny with Max Drone Services will also talk about drone technologies you can use for improving farm operations!


When:

February 23rd, 2023 from 9am-1pm


Where:

Bank of Cave City Meeting Room

137 S Main St, Cave City, AR 72521


To meet a changing market, Arkansas Farmers now have an opportunity to reach more potential customers in one location - The Arkansas Produce Auction! This event will bring sellers and buyers together. Sellers can sell their products in bulk or small lots. Growers specializing in a single or multiple crops can market all their products at one location at auction market prices. This gives

farmers more time to do what they do best: FARM.

Contact Chuck McCool at

479-355-1729 for more info.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023

10 AM – 4:30 PM

Register Here!

In one day, learn how to start your business the right way.  

Join ASBTDC for a walk through the essential steps to start and finance a new business. Plus, find out about the support available to you as you prepare to launch your business.


Hosted by event co-sponsor Arkansas Federal Credit Union at

AFCU Headquarters, 17500 Cantrell Road in Little Rock.

No cost to participate.


Useful Links

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