Local, Regional & Safe Foods UA Extension

🌱 Reminder: Produce Safety Grower Training – Register Now! 🌱

Join us in person for an informative Produce Safety Grower Training designed for fruit and vegetable producers! Learn about:

✅ Produce safety regulations
✅ Good agricultural practices (GAPs)
✅ Agricultural water & soil amendments
✅ Worker health & hygiene
✅ Wildlife management
✅ Postharvest handling & food safety plans

This training meets the FDA FSMA Produce Safety Rule training requirement for covered farms and can be used for audits.

📆 When: June 18, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Where: Woodruff Electric Cooperative
3201 AR-1
Forrest City, AR 72335
💵 Cost: FREE (Includes coffee, lunch, snacks, and materials)
👉 Registration is required

⚠️ Important Details:

✅ Must attend all modules to receive certification
❌ Walk-ins will NOT be accepted
⚠️ Late registrations (

🌱 ACGA National Conference 2026🌱

We had an incredible time attending the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) National Conference right here in Little Rock, Arkansas! This year’s gathering brought together passionate leaders, advocates, and gardeners from across the country, all committed to strengthening communities through the power of gardening.

The theme, “Pathways to Food Security: Localizing Solutions,” highlighted the urgent need for community-driven approaches to tackling food insecurity. Throughout the conference, we explored how community gardens serve as vital tools to improve access to fresh, healthy foods while also supporting physical, mental, and social well-being. Throughout the conference we had the opportunity to tour several local gardening initiatives! We were inspired by an amazing lineup of keynote speakers, including:

✨ Dr. Brandon Cosby, CEO of Flanner House
✨ Dena Patterson, Turtle Island & Serenity Wellness
✨ Bobby L. Wilson, President & CEO of Metro Atlanta Urban Farm

and our very own Dr. Amanda Philyaw- Perez, who led an informative workshop on Strengthening Arkansas Local Food Systems: Outreach, Tools, Training, and Connections. Each shared powerful insights on how local efforts can drive meaningful change, build resilience, and empower communities to take ownership of their food systems.

What made this conference truly special was the shared passion for growing sustainable solutions from the ground up. Community gardens are more than spaces to grow food. They are spaces that build connection, promote health, and create lasting impact. 🌿

We left feeling energized, inspired, and more committed than ever to the importance of gardening as a pathway to stronger, healthier communities. 💚 Thank you, ACGA, for an unforgettable experience!

🌱✨ Another Inspiring Day at the ACGA National Conference! ✨🌱

Day two of the American Community Gardening Association National Conference in Little Rock brought even more energy, learning, and connection! Attendees participated in a variety of engaging workshops that sparked meaningful conversations and shared knowledge, including:

🌿 Youth and Community Gardening
🌿 Management resources for Grass Roots Organization
🌿 Cultivating Community Resilience Through Urban Permaculture

Each session highlighted the power of community-driven solutions and the impact of growing together locally and nationally. The day was also buzzing with activity from a wide range of incredible vendor booths, offering innovative products, valuable resources, and opportunities to connect with organizations doing amazing work across the country. It’s been inspiring to see so many passionate individuals come together to grow ideas, share experiences, and strengthen communities.

✨ Stay tuned! We look forward to sharing even more highlights from the conference! ✨

🌱✨ ACGA National Conference 2026✨🌱

We’re excited to officially kick off The American Community Garden Association National Conference, happening right here in Little Rock, Arkansas from June 4–7!

The conference began yesterday with a beautiful scenic morning walk, setting the tone for a few days rooted in connection, learning, and inspiration. Attendees also had the opportunity to dive into impactful pre-conference workshops focused on food access and security through community gardening, along with engaging tours of several incredible local garden initiatives across the city. Highlights included visits to:

🌿 Dark Hollow Community Center
🌿 Hays Senior Community Center
🌿 Dunbar Garden

and more amazing spaces nurturing community and growth. We’re energized by the strong start and the meaningful conversations already taking place. Stay tuned, we look forward to sharing more of the conference experience in the days ahead!

📣 Now Accepting Applications!

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture🌱 is accepting applications for the Farmers Market Promotion Program, made possible through support from Farm Credit. Funding is available to help markets expand their reach and strengthen connections within their communities.

Eligible activities include:

✅ Signage highlighting market details (name, season, hours, location)
✅ Local advertising such as print and radio
✅ Social media campaigns to boost visibility and engagement

🛍️ The Department is also accepting orders for discounted reusable bags through the Farmers Market Bag Program, helping markets promote sustainability while serving customers.

⏳ Apply soon➡️https://tinyurl.com/2zczdf27 —applications will be accepted until funds are fully awarded!

Arkansas Department of Agriculture Farm Credit

🌱Our team is grateful to be part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, working alongside many community collaborators to expand access to more Arkansas‑grown and Arkansas‑made food.

Need help navigating local food opportunities in Arkansas? Whether you’re selling at farmers markets, exploring retail or wholesale options, operating under cottage food or food freedom laws, or improving safety on your specialty crop farm or food business, we’re here to support you.

Reach out to Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez at [email protected] for guidance and resources. Sign up for our newsletter here➡️: https://tinyurl.com/ynuk3rdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkTbAkG8TfM

Access, Nutrition, Safety: Food Security in Arkansas Nearly one in five Arkansans lacks reliable access to food. That's why the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture made improving food security a key ...

📝Arkansas Homemade Food Production Guidelines📑

The Homemade Food Production Guide offers clear standards and guidelines to help vendors produce and sell safe, high-quality food in Arkansas. It outlines what foods can be sold, required conditions at the point of sale, and key food safety regulations.

All products must comply with the Arkansas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and meet safety standards✅—meaning no contaminated, mislabeled, or non-approved ingredients.

For more information➡️: https://tinyurl.com/t3hpcjsb

📢Please join us for an in-person Produce Safety Grower Training!

Join us to learn about produce safety regulations and good agricultural practices for fruit and vegetable producers. Topics covered will include agricultural water, soil amendments, worker health and hygiene, wildlife management, postharvest handling, and food safety plans. For fresh produce farms, the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule sets mandatory federal standards for growing, harvesting, packing, and holding produce. Most produce farms will be affected by this Rule. This training satisfies the FSMA PSR training requirement for covered farms and can be used for audits.

📆When: June 18, 2026, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

📍Where: Woodruff Electric Cooperative
3201 AR-1
Forrest City, AR 72335

💵Registration Fee: FREE (includes coffee, lunch, snacks, and materials), registration is required for attendance. Attendees MUST be present for all modules in order to receive certification. Please be advised that absentee sign-ups will not transfer to future trainings.

📝Important: Late registrations received less than 3 days prior to the event date may NOT be accepted. NOTE: Attendance is limited to 25 participants per training. Walk-ins will NOT be accepted. Registration Deadline: June 15, 2026

The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act has introduced regulations to protect public health by preventing food-safety incidents instead of reacting to them after they occur. This way, we can reduce financial risk to farmers and protect the public by ensuring a safe food supply.

➡️Please register here: https://tinyurl.com/466tjj67

We look forward to seeing you!🌱

📣 Attention Farmers, Market Vendors and Managers, and Environmental Health Specialist!

The Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture created a helpful Farmers’ Market Vendor Guide.

The Farmers’ Market Vendor Guide was developed to provide standards, guidelines, and consistent information for farmers, food vendors, and environmental specialists to provide fresh, safe, and quality food to the consumer. This resource provides important information on best practices for food safety, regulations, and market readiness, helping vendors operate confidently and successfully.

🌱 Whether you’re a new vendor or experienced grower, this guide is a valuable tool to ensure you’re meeting requirements and delivering high-quality products to your community at the farmers market.

Learn more here➡️: https://tinyurl.com/hzbjjvtc

🥚🥩🥛🍓 Governor Sanders Celebrates Arkansas Agriculture🥛🥩🥚🍓

Last Friday was perfect weather to join over 400 people at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Annual Cookout in Little Rock, May was officially recognized as Arkansas Beef Month, Dairy Month, Egg Month, and Strawberry Month. 🥩🥛🥚🍓

The event highlighted the vital role these industries play in powering Arkansas’s economy and supporting communities across the state. Grateful for the chance to attend and celebrate the farmers, producers, and agriculture leaders who keep Arkansas growing.