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Our team was invited to participate in a panel on Arkansas's local food system landscape hosted by the Arkansas Local Food Network on the evening of October 20th at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub.
The free, public event was well attended by growers, food business owners, industry professionals, regulators, educators, community gardeners, and many more who are involved in our state's food system. In addition to the networking and learning opportunities, guests were treated to delicious local food from The Root Café and drinks from local breweries, including Stone's Throw Brewing.
The panel included Rip Weaver, extension program technician for local, regional and safe foods; Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez, extension specialist for food systems and food safety; Dr. Karen Keller Ballard, chief executive officer of B & B Legacy Farms; Karen Reynolds, grants and program manager for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture; Michelle Shope, director of food sourcing and logistics for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance; Jeremy Adams, executive director of the Arkansas Farmers' Market Association; Anna Sawyer, community garden coordinator for the North Little Rock Community Garden Program; and Brandon Gordon, owner of Five Acre Farms. Ruth Canada, engagement and outreach program office for Heifer USA, moderated the event.
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