FREE Food Business Workshop

The Share Grounds has been getting some well-deserved attention lately. In the August edition of 501 LIFE Magazine, Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez, Extension specialist and leader of the Share Grounds project, had the opportunity to share the journey these innovative spaces have taken over just a few short years to get to where they are today -- helping over 30 clients take the first steps to developing and producing local food products right here in Arkansas.

One of those clients, Legenia Spiller-Bearden of Sincerely Legenia Keto, recently received her food manufacturing permit from the Arkansas Department of Health. She has been working hard to perfect her tasty blends of keto spice rubs at our commercial kitchen in McCrory. We love to see our clients succeed and take another step towards their dream becoming reality!

When: November 6, 2021, 9 am - 3:30 pm

Where: Virtually (Zoom) and In-person at

The Next Remote Produce Safety Grower Training:

The training will be split into two days and take place from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm both days. This training will be conducted live through Zoom.

Anyone who grows, harvests, packs and handles fresh fruits and vegetables. Registration is limited to 20 participants. Sign up soon to reserve your spot.

You must attend both days of the training. Additionally, you must have the following:

Registration closes at 11:59 pm on November 2nd!

Training materials will be mailed to your residence. Registration closes seven days before the training to accommodate ordering materials and mailing them to you.

*Participant attendance and engagement will be monitored. Participants are only eligible for a PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion if they are present for all modules of the course and have the physical training manual with them for the training.

**Once you receive the registration link, you will be prompted to download the free Zoom software. You do not have to create an account to participate.

For three days in August via Zoom, our Extension team along with the FDA and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture hosted a workshop on Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin (BSAAO) with Extension specialists, soil experts, & federal and state officials who shared the latest information on risks, best practices, and industry insights for BSAAOs use in produce production.

Highlights included topical presentations, virtual field trips, panel discussions, and an opportunity to Q&A with FDA officials. ADA Secretary Wes Ward helped kick things off with a welcome, and the program ended with Dr. David Ingram of the FDA hosting a virtual "fireside chat" with participants.

With over 80 attendees spanning the country and representing all sectors of agriculture, the workshop was a huge success! 🙌