Local, Regional & Safe Foods UA Extension

Local, Regional & Safe Foods UA Extension Our team focuses on local, regional & safe food systems development in Arkansas. See below for more details on each focus area.

Supporting local, regional & safe food systems development in Arkansas through education & outreach led by Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez and a fab team at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. This is done through programs, projects, trainings, technical assistance & support, resource creation, and networking events. FOCUS ON LOCAL & REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS 🍅
The farm to table movement is growing in Arkansas. Many communities have created farmers markets, established community gardens, and started serving farm fresh food in school cafeterias. Arkansans have an increased interests in sustainable agriculture and locally grown foods, while many farms are producing a wide variety of locally grown vegetables, fruits, grain, nuts, seeds, and livestock. Agritourism, specialty crop farming/specialty food products, and local food retailers are on the rise. And food business entrepreneurs are looking for ways to turn their recipes into successful businesses. Through our local & regional foods programs and activities, we support a robust and diverse food system with research-backed resources, timely information, and meaningful connections. Through our Share Grounds Commercial Kitchens project, we assist those interested in starting a local food business or aggregating local food products with technical assistance, permitted production facilities, and partnership opportunities. FOCUS ON SAFE FOOD SYSTEMS 🥬
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is a federal act that requires producers and processors of fresh fruits and vegetables to implement certain controls in order to prevent contamination of our nation’s food system. The act gives power to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish regulations for the production of fresh fruits and vegetables (The Produce Safety Rule). Keeping up with these regulations for your farm can be daunting, so our Extension team is here to help navigate this process with you. By providing fundamental, science-based farm and produce safety knowledge through produce safety trainings, on-farm visits, educational resources, and technical assistance to fruit and vegetable farmers, packers, regulatory personnel, and others in the state, we support a safe food system for all Arkansans.

🫛 After the Harvest Conference Presents: Meet the Speaker🍠We're excited to welcome Dr. Dan Quadros. "Dr. Q", an Assistan...
09/22/2026

🫛 After the Harvest Conference Presents: Meet the Speaker🍠

We're excited to welcome Dr. Dan Quadros. "Dr. Q", an Assistant Professor and Small Ruminant Specialist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, to the After the Harvest Conference!

Dr. Q leads Arkansas' sheep and goat extension program and serves as Director of both the TransformAR Program and the Sustainable Homesteading Program, helping farmers, ranchers, Extension professionals, and homesteaders build successful and sustainable operations across the state.

With an extensive background in livestock production research, his work has explored pasture management, animal nutrition, genetics, health, and meat and milk quality. Throughout his career, Dr. Q has led large-scale Extension initiatives that connect producers, organizations, and communities to strengthen agricultural systems from production to marketing.

His educational and professional experience spans the globe, including appointments in Brazil, Germany, and the United States, bringing a wealth of knowledge and practical insight to Arkansas agriculture.

Join us at the After the Harvest Conference to hear Dr. Q's perspective on sustainable livestock production, farmer education, and building resilient agricultural communities. Learn more here➡️: https://tinyurl.com/hjkjwsfu

⏰ Reminder: Registration is NOW Open for After the Harvest 2026!Don't miss your opportunity to join food system professi...
09/22/2026

⏰ Reminder: Registration is NOW Open for After the Harvest 2026!

Don't miss your opportunity to join food system professionals from across Arkansas at After the Harvest 2026, a two-day conference focused on strengthening local food supply chains from producer to market.

📍 Little Rock, AR
📅 November 4-5, 2026

Whether you're a grower, producer, food entrepreneur, processor, farmers market vendor or manager, buyer, Extension professional, or community partner, this conference offers valuable opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.

This year's program will focus on:

✅ Sell Local Food – Discover strategies for accessing and preparing for new market opportunities.
✅ Move Local Food – Explore postharvest handling, storage, processing, distribution, and infrastructure solutions.
✅ Connect Local Food – Build partnerships that strengthen local and regional food systems.

Participants can also take part in specialized bootcamps covering:

• Farmers Markets
• Arkansas Food Freedom
• Food Processing & Manufacturing

From food safety and regulatory guidance to practical solutions for real-world challenges, After the Harvest 2026 will provide the tools, resources, and connections needed to help your operation succeed.

🎟️ Registration is open, but space is limited. Reserve your spot today!
🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/hjkjwsfu


extension Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service

🫛 After the Harvest Conference Presents: Meet the Speaker 🍠We're excited to welcome Nena Hammer as a featured speaker at...
09/21/2026

🫛 After the Harvest Conference Presents: Meet the Speaker 🍠

We're excited to welcome Nena Hammer as a featured speaker at the After the Harvest Conference!

Nena Hammer is the Director of Operations at Spring Creek Food Hub. From developing several community gardens to managing a diversified livestock and vegetable farm and now to leading the food hub, she has over a decade of experience and leadership in Arkansas’s local food systems.

As an Arkansas native, food, community, and nature are deeply personal to Nena. Some of her fondest memories are of picking peas in her family garden as a young child. Now, serving as the Director of Spring Creek Food Hub, she aims to share the experience and knowledge gained over her career with others to promote the growth of strong local food systems in Arkansas and our neighboring states.

Based in Springdale, AR, Spring Creek Food Hub connects the dots from farm to community, providing wholesale readiness training and support for farmers and local procurement education and support for institutional buyers, with the goal of re-regionalizing our food system and supporting those farmers who work day in and day out to feed their communities.

Join us at After the Harvest to hear Nena's insights on strengthening local food systems and supporting agricultural communities across Arkansas and beyond. Learn more here➡️: https://tinyurl.com/hjkjwsfu

🌱🚜🍅

🌱🥒 Pickled Okra & Business Know-How Workshop 🥒🌱Interested in learning how to preserve fresh okra and turn your homemade ...
09/11/2026

🌱🥒 Pickled Okra & Business Know-How Workshop 🥒🌱

Interested in learning how to preserve fresh okra and turn your homemade recipes into market-ready products?

Join the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service for a hands-on workshop where you'll learn to safely prepare and process pickled okra using a research-tested recipe from the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Participants will gain practical experience determining the proper endpoint, filling jars, and using a boiling-water canner.

Plus, discover how to take your favorite recipes from your home kitchen to the marketplace! Learn about:

✅ Arkansas Food Freedom Act requirements
✅ Food safety considerations
✅ Labeling guidelines
✅ Product registration requirements for value-added food products

🍽️ Lunch, drinks, recipes, and workshop supplies are included!

📅 When: October 7, 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

📍 Where: Gateway Center
2210 E Main Street
Batesville, AR 72501

💲 Registration Fee: $10 per person
🗓️ Registration Deadline: October 2, 2026
➡️Register here: https://tinyurl.com/f3bwmz5v

Don't miss this opportunity to learn valuable food preservation skills and explore how to turn your kitchen creations into a business opportunity!

🌾Registration is Now Open for After the Harvest 2026! 🌾What happens after food is harvested or produced? How does it mak...
09/08/2026

🌾Registration is Now Open for After the Harvest 2026! 🌾

What happens after food is harvested or produced? How does it make its way safely and successfully into Arkansas markets?

Join growers, producers, food entrepreneurs, processors, farmers market vendors and managers, buyers, Extension personnel, food system organizations, and community partners from across the state for After the Harvest 2026, a two-day conference dedicated to strengthening Arkansas's local food supply chain.

📍 Little Rock, AR
📅 November 4-5, 2026

This year's conference will focus on three key areas:

✅ Sell Local Food – Learn how to access and prepare for a variety of market opportunities.
✅ Move Local Food – Explore postharvest handling, storage, processing, distribution, and infrastructure solutions.
✅ Connect Local Food – Build relationships and partnerships that strengthen local and regional food systems.

Participants will also have opportunities to attend specialized bootcamps on:

🌱 Farmers Markets
🌱 Arkansas Food Freedom
🌱 Food Processing & Manufacturing

Throughout the conference, food safety and regulatory considerations will be woven into sessions designed to help attendees navigate real-world challenges and opportunities in Arkansas's food supply chain.

Whether you're expanding into new markets, improving operations, navigating food safety requirements, or building partnerships, After the Harvest offers practical tools, resources, and connections to help you take the next step.

🎟️ Registration is now open! Secure your spot today and join others from across Arkansas who are working to strengthen local food systems from producer to market. Register here➡️https://tinyurl.com/hjkjwsfu


extension Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service

🍇 Learn to Make Muscadine Jelly & Explore Food Business Opportunities! 🍇Join the University of Arkansas Division of Agri...
09/05/2026

🍇 Learn to Make Muscadine Jelly & Explore Food Business Opportunities! 🍇

Join the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture for a hands-on workshop featuring Arkansas muscadines! Learn how to safely prepare and can delicious muscadine jelly, using research-tested methods from the National Center for Home Food Preservation. You'll also discover how to produce and sell homemade food products under the Arkansas Food Freedom Act.

📅 September 23, 2026
⏰ 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
📍 Conway County Extension Office
339 E. Campus St., Kirk Building Room 105, Morrilton, AR

✅ Learn safe jelly-making and canning techniques
✅ Prepare muscadine juice and determine the proper jelly endpoint
✅ Practice filling jars and processing jelly in a boiling-water canner
✅ Learn Food Freedom Act requirements for selling homemade foods
✅ Lunch, drinks, recipes, and all workshop supplies included

Whether you're looking to reduce food waste, preserve a local harvest, stock your pantry, or start a small food business, this workshop will help you gain the skills and confidence to get started.

💲 Cost: $10 per person
📝 Register: https://uada.formstack.com/forms/home_to_local_market
📧 For more information, contact Amanda at [email protected].

🦠Wrapping Up the 2026 Arkansas Association for Food Protection Annual MeetingAs we conclude our time at the 2026 Arkansa...
09/04/2026

🦠Wrapping Up the 2026 Arkansas Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting

As we conclude our time at the 2026 Arkansas Association for Food Protection (AFP) Annual Meeting in Fayetteville, AR, we are reflecting on a week filled with valuable learning, collaboration, and meaningful discussions on advancing food safety across Arkansas and beyond.

Throughout the meeting, attendees heard from food safety leaders representing industry, academia, and regulatory agencies.

Sessions throughout the week covered a variety of important topics, including:

• Pathogen, Allergen, and Foreign Object Recalls
• Updates on Sanitary Design
• Strategic Paths for Food Safety
• FDA Regulatory Updates
• Arkansas Department of Health Rapid Response Team Program Overview
• Alpha-gal Syndrome and its implications for consumers and the food industry

The conference provided excellent opportunities to connect with food safety professionals, share experiences, and gain practical knowledge that can be applied to strengthen food safety programs and protect public health.

Thank you to the Arkansas Association for Food Protection, speakers, organizers, and attendees for a successful event. We look forward to continuing these conversations and applying what we learned to support Arkansas farms, food businesses, and communities.

🦠2026 Arkansas Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting🔬 This week we're attending the 2026 Arkansas Association f...
09/03/2026

🦠2026 Arkansas Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting🔬

This week we're attending the 2026 Arkansas Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting hosted in Fayetteville, AR. This event entailed valuable insights from food safety leaders across industry, academia, and regulatory agencies.

A few highlights have included a poster from our team member Sarah Bakker on understanding Extension technical requests from farms and food businesses in Arkansas, Craig Bacon, Ph.D., Professor and Head of the Department of Food Science at the University of Arkansas, and Bill Potter, Ph.D., Extension Poultry Food Safety Scientist at the University of Arkansas, who shared their expertise on current food safety challenges and opportunities.

Sessions covered important topics including:
✅ Pathogen, Allergen, and Foreign Object Recalls
✅ Updates on Sanitary Design
✅ Strategic Paths for Food Safety

The meetings have offered excellent networking opportunities and practical information that attendees can take back to their organizations to strengthen food safety programs. More to come on the event!

Produce Safety Grower Training Recap 🌱Yesterday, our team welcomed growers and agricultural professionals to an in-perso...
09/02/2026

Produce Safety Grower Training Recap 🌱

Yesterday, our team welcomed growers and agricultural professionals to an in-person Produce Safety Grower Training in Springdale, Arkansas. The training was led by Dr. Perez, with support from team members Sarah Bakker, Danielle Dozier, and Ryan Neal.

Attendees received practical guidance on produce safety requirements and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for fruit and vegetable operations. The training covered essential topics including agricultural water management, soil amendments, worker health and hygiene, wildlife considerations, postharvest handling practices, and food safety plan development.

This course meets the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (PSR) training requirement for covered farms and can also support farm audit preparedness.

If you were unable to attend, be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming trainings and educational opportunities! ➡: https://tinyurl.com/53tzm26e

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this event a success. We are proud to continue supporting Arkansas growers and strengthening produce safety practices across the region.

🌾🍅🥬

Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas Uark Horticulture Market Center of the Ozarks

🚜🥕🍅 We're Full! Registration Has ClosedThe response to our Produce Safety Grower Training on September 1 has been tremen...
08/26/2026

🚜🥕🍅 We're Full! Registration Has Closed

The response to our Produce Safety Grower Training on September 1 has been tremendous, and registration is now officially closed.

Thank you to everyone who signed up. We can't wait to spend the day with you learning about produce safety best practices and supporting Arkansas growers.

If you missed this training, don't worry! We will be opening registration soon for our next Produce Safety Grower Training in Little Rock. Additional details, dates, and registration information will be shared soon, so stay tuned.

See you soon in Springdale!

Address

2301 S. University Avenue
Little Rock, AR
72204

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(501) 671-2000

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