Extension to Host ‘After the Harvest’ Conference for Arkansas Growers, Distributors in September

By Rebekah Hall

After the Harvest, a conference hosted by the Cooperative Extension Service, aims to bring together farmers, growers, food distributors and other stakeholders invested in the journey local food takes after it leaves the field.

The event will take place Sept. 5-6 at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Spots are limited, and early bird registration is available until Aug. 6 for $15 for the Friday session and $30 for the Saturday session. After Aug. 6, the price increases to $30 for the Friday session and $60 for the Saturday session. Register at uada.formstack.com/forms/after_harvest.

Amanda Philyaw Perez, extension associate professor of food systems and food safety specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the conference is designed to be a “gathering of the people who are doing the real work to increase access to Arkansas-grown and -made foods.”

“This is not a traditional conference,” Perez said. “It’s a space for connection, collaboration and shared learning. Our goal is to support a more resilient local food system, rooted in community and shaped by the folks who grow, make and move food across the state.”

Farmers, growers and value-added producers  commercial or home-based manufacturers of food products that are not fresh, such as jarred or canned products  and farm stand operators are encouraged to attend. Farmers market managers, food retail operators, local food advocates and nonprofit organizations are also ideal audiences for the conference, Perez said.