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 moveme

nt 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.

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!

🌱Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the Arkansas Farm to ECE Coalition's Farm-to-Table In-Person Meeting at the ...
08/20/2026

🌱Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the Arkansas Farm to ECE Coalition's Farm-to-Table In-Person Meeting at the 4-H Vines Center in Little Rock, and it was an inspiring day filled with connection, collaboration, and celebration.

It was wonderful to spend time networking with partners from across the state, reflecting on the coalition's accomplishments over the past year, and discussing the important work that lies ahead. Together, we explored our mission and priorities while helping shape a shared vision for 2027.

I'm grateful to be part of a coalition so dedicated to creating healthy food experiences and agricultural learning opportunities for Arkansas's youngest learners. Looking forward to continuing this important work together! Arkansas Farm-to-Early Childhood Education 🌱

"The Cottage Food Industry and Food Freedom Movement continue to expand rapidly across the United States, with Southern ...
08/13/2026

"The Cottage Food Industry and Food Freedom Movement continue to expand rapidly across the United States, with Southern and Western states leading the way. I was honored to present a poster at this year's International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Conference titled, "Understanding Farm Stop Operations: Insights from a Statewide Needs Assessment in Arkansas," co-authored by myself Amanda Philyaw Perez and Sarah Bakker.

As this movement continues to grow, I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with fellow UADA Food Safety faculty, Dr. Lida Araghi and Dr. Sungil Ferreira, as well as agency partners Jeff Jackson in Arkansas and Justin McConaghy in Oklahoma. Together, we are working to provide outreach, education, and technical assistance to support producers, entrepreneurs, and communities involved in local food systems.

Oklahoma is helping lead this evolution with the recently passed Local Food Freedom Act, which expands opportunities for local food producers by allowing operations up to $250,000 in annual sales with limited regulatory requirements. Learn more here➡️https://www.okhouse.gov/posts/news-20260507_4

As food freedom expands opportunities for local food production and entrepreneurship, strong food safety education and practices are essential to protect public health, build consumer confidence, and ensure that expanded access to food production is both sustainable and responsible."

🍓Another great opportunity to share our work at the 2026 International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Mee...
08/07/2026

🍓Another great opportunity to share our work at the 2026 International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting! 🍓

" I was honored to present "Preserving Arkansas Partnership: Supporting New and Established Cottage Food Producers in Food Preservation, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance" with Terrie James, Quad Whitton, Dr. Lida Araghi, David Hill, Christie Wagley, Chef Margie Raimondo, owner of Urbana Farmstead, and our partners at the Ferndale Farmers Market.

It was especially rewarding to hear a presentation form North Carolina highlighting similar findings on the expansion of the cottage food industry. Both presentations reinforced the growing need for food safety education, technical assistance, and regulatory guidance for home- based, cottage, and small- scale food manufacturers.

As local food businesses continue to expand, Extension has an important role in supporting entrepreneurs through science- based education and technical assistance. While Extension systems include outstanding Agriculture and Family & Consumer Sciences agents, relatively few have specialized backgrounds in food safety, food manufacturing, or public and environmental health. As a result, many states face limited capacity to provide the technical information needed by this rapidly growing sector. Strengthening Extension's food safety expertise will be essential to helping food entrepreneurs produce safe, compliant products while supporting resilient local and regional food systems.

Thank you to everyone who attended, shared ideas, and contributed to the discussion. I look forward to continuing this work with our partners to strengthen Arkansas's cottage food and small food business community."

Uark Horticulture Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Urbana Farmstead

🎉 Our Produce Safety Training in Springdale is officially FULL! 🎉Thank you for the overwhelming interest in our upcoming...
08/06/2026

🎉 Our Produce Safety Training in Springdale is officially FULL! 🎉

Thank you for the overwhelming interest in our upcoming Produce Safety Training. Registration has now closed as all available seats have been filled.

Didn't make it into this session? Don't worry! We have more Produce Safety Trainings and other exciting Local, Regional, and Safe Foods initiatives planned for the spring and fall.

📬 Stay in the know by signing up for our newsletter to receive updates on upcoming trainings, events, resources, and opportunities.

🔗 Newsletter Sign-Up: https://tinyurl.com/3a8ad84d

🌾 USDA Grant Opportunity Now Available!The USDA Value-Added Producer Grant Program is offering up to $250,000 to support...
08/05/2026

🌾 USDA Grant Opportunity Now Available!

The USDA Value-Added Producer Grant Program is offering up to $250,000 to support farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, and cooperatives looking to expand their businesses through product development, processing, marketing, and branding.

✅ Funding available for eligible producers and cooperatives.

Learn more and apply through ResearchJobsHub: https://lnkd.in/d6mgif5F

🍎 Strong Partnerships, Stronger Produce Safety: Arkansas at IAFP 🍎A great start to this year's International Association...
08/05/2026

🍎 Strong Partnerships, Stronger Produce Safety: Arkansas at IAFP 🍎

A great start to this year's International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting!

Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez provided an update on Arkansas's Produce Safety Program and enjoyed connecting with produce safety partners from across the United States. Even better, there was encouraging news that most state funding is returning, supporting the continuation of important produce safety initiatives and program delivery!

The Southern Center poster also showcased the outstanding Extension outreach efforts conducted in partnership with Southern land-grant universities.

Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas Uark Horticulture International Association for Food Protection

Produce Safety Grower Training – Register Now! 🌱Join us in person for an informative Produce Safety Grower Training desi...
08/04/2026

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. Small and beginning farms and established operations will benefit from attending.

📆 When: September 1, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Where: Market Center of the Ozarks
821 E. Emma Ave. Springdale, AR 72764
💵 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 (❤ days before) may not be accepted
👥 Limited to 20 participants
⏳ Registration Deadline: August 28, 2026
📌 Absentee sign-ups will not transfer to future trainings

The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) focuses on preventing food safety issues before they happen—protecting both farmers and the public food supply. 🌽🥕

➡️ Register here: https: https://tinyurl.com/2s3cb7c8
We look forward to seeing you there! 🌱

Arkansas Department of Agriculture Market Center of the Ozarks Uark Horticulture Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Spring Creek Food Hub

📅 SAVE THE DATE!The Arkansas Farm to ECE Coalition has announced its next In-Person Coalition Meeting.This in-person mee...
07/09/2026

📅 SAVE THE DATE!

The Arkansas Farm to ECE Coalition has announced its next In-Person Coalition Meeting.

This in-person meeting will bring participants together to network, collaborate, celebrate accomplishments from the past year, and help shape the coalition's vision.

Whether you're already involved with Farm to ECE or would like to learn more about this important work, this event may be a great opportunity to connect with others across the state.

💚 Additional details will be shared by the Arkansas Farm to ECE Coalition soon. Arkansas Farm-to-Early Childhood Education

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

Website

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