January 21, 2021
In this issue

Local Food Business & Share Grounds Webinars

Upcoming Remote Produce Safety Grower Trainings

2021 Vegetable Crop Handbook & Produce Grower Survey

NEW SECTION!
Learning & Networking Opportunities
Local Food Business & Share Grounds Webinars
Two additional webinars to be released TODAY, 1/21!

These webinars provide valuable information for individuals interested in starting a food business in Arkansas and understanding how to successfully develop a food product in a certified food manufacturing kitchen such as the Share Grounds facilities.
 
Newly released webinars can be found below and also on our new webinars webpage and our YouTube playlist for all things local, regional and safe foods. 
An Introduction to Food Processing
John Swenson | Arkansas Food Innovation Center
Getting Started: Venturing in Food Processing
Dr. Renee Threlfall | UADA Food Science Department
Upcoming Remote
Produce Safety Grower Trainings
First Remote Produce Safety Grower Trainings for 2021:


The training will be split into two days and will take place from 8:00 am to
12:30 pm both days. This training will be conducted live through Zoom.
Who should attend:
Anyone who grows, harvests, packs and handles fresh fruits and vegetables. Registration is limited to 20 participants. Sign up soon to reserve your spot.
Why you should attend:
On-farm food safety practices are vital in the produce industry. Many farms are now required to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. This training will educate growers on the Produce Safety Rule. Upon completion of this training, participants receive a certificate satisfying the requirement 112.22(c) in the Produce Safety Rule.*
What is required to receive a certificate:
You must attend both days of the training. Additionally, you must have the following:
  • Internet access
  • Zoom video conferencing software**
  • Web camera
  • Microphone
When is the registration deadline:
Registration closes at 11:59 pm on February 3rd for the February training.
Registration closes at 11:59 pm on March 24th for the March/April training.

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.
2021 Vegetable Crop Handbook
& Produce Grower Survey
2021 Handbook Now Available!
The Southeastern US 2021 Vegetable Crop Handbook is a joint effort among Extension specialists and researchers from 12 land-grant universities who work in the area of vegetable production. Comprised of the latest research and Extension projects conducted across the Southeast, the handbook contains the information that you need to successfully manage your vegetable crops. Get your copy today!
Survey for Produce Growers
Do you grow and sell vegetables in Arkansas? Then consider taking this 7-10 minute survey!

Arkansas Extension Horticulture specialists are requesting both farmers and extension agents to participate in this survey to help develop extension and training materials related to fresh market vegetable production. Participation will be completely anonymous.

For more information, read this blog.
NEW SECTION!
Learning and Networking Opportunities
Many things are happening in the local food and produce safety world, so we would like to provide our subscribers with a dedicated space to highlight recent and upcoming learning and networking opportunities including classes, trainings, conferences, speakers, and other similar activities and events. See below for a selection of these opportunities and how to register, view, and participate in them.
It may be cold outside, but gardening season is right around the corner. Spring peas are some of the first vegetables that can be planted in Arkansas gardens.

Please join the Faulkner County Extension Office via Zoom to learn about growing and cooking spring peas including English peas, sugar snap peas, and snow peas.

When: Thursday, 1/21 Noon CST

Where: Online

Cost: FREE!

For more information see this Facebook event.
The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food (CAFF) is offering a beginning farmer class series. Classes are open to the public, will be held virtually, and can be taken independently.

When: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6-8:30pm CST now through the end of February

Where: Online

Cost: $10/class

For more information see CAFF's webpage and Facebook page.
The Food Finance Institute (FFI) and the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) are hosting a free Farm Financial Management Boot Camp for diversified farm businesses in February and March. The Boot Camp will combine training, one-on-one consulting, and networking.

When: A 4-day event divided into two sessions, 9am-5pm CST
  • Session 1 is February 3-4
  • Session 2 is March 9-10

Where: Online

Cost: FREE!

For more information see this webpage.
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