Russ Center to open
The Carnell Russ Vision Center will hold a grand opening/community celebration event from noon to 3 p.m. March 29 at the center, 404 Cook St., in Star City.
The center aims to foster community growth and provide services for the community. The event is open to the public, according to a news release.
Highlights of the grand opening include a welcome and ribbon-cutting ceremony, community showcase, musicians, soloists, spoken word performances, praise groups as well as bounce houses and refreshments.
“The center will provide programs including tutoring, art and humanities for the youth and adults in our community,” said Lea Russ-Glenns, director of the Carnell Russ Vision Center and executive director of the Carnell Russ Foundation. Details: leatriceglenns@gmail.com.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Produce safety training set
Fruit and vegetable growers will have the opportunity to learn about new health and safety regulations at a produce safety grower training offered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture in Batesville on April 1.
The training will take place at the Independence County Extension Office in Batesville from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $25 per person to attend. Participants must register by March 29 at uada.formstack.com/forms/psa_batesville.
Attendance is limited to 20 spots, and no walk-ins will be accepted, according to a news release.
Sarah Bakker, extension food systems and food safety program associate for the Division of Agriculture, said the produce safety training satisfies important requirements for farms covered by the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule.
“For fresh produce farms, the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule sets mandatory federal standards for growing, harvesting, packing and holding produce,” Bakker said. “Most produce farms will be affected by this rule.”
Topics will include food safety plans, postharvest handling, wildlife management and more. The training will also cover the new pre-harvest agricultural water rule, which was released in 2024.
“Growers who sell to wholesale markets, institutions, or other buyers requiring produce safety training should plan to attend, particularly if it has been more than three years since last attendance,” said Amanda Philyaw Perez, extension associate professor of food systems and food safety specialist for the Division of Agriculture.
All participants will receive a certificate of completion.
For more information, contact Sarah Bakker at sbakker@uada.edu, Amanda Philyaw Perez at aperez@uada.edu or visit the Produce Safety Grower Training page on the Cooperative Extension Service’s website.