Farmers’ markets play a key role in ensuring Arkansans have access to healthy food options. But farmers’ markets, too, have felt the strain of the pandemic, according to a news release.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service and the Arkansas Farmers’ Market Association recently surveyed farmers’ markets and their managers to find out how they are responding to the pandemic.
Ron Rainey, extension economist and director of the Southern Risk Management Education Center, will share the survey results during a webinar at 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 11.
Teresa Maurer with the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market will also share her experiences managing the market during the pandemic, including success, challenges, and how they have adapted to social distancing requirements.
The webinar will be broadcast live via Zoom. The webinar is free, and participants can register at https://bit.ly/35x9ZUW.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Farmers’ markets continue to serve as valuable outlets for local farmers and ranchers, even during the crisis,” Rainey said.
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, 4 percent of the state’s 42,625 farmers engage in direct-to-consumer markets, with annual sales estimated at $9.2 million. About 250 Arkansas farms provide local or regionally branded products directly to retail, institutions or food hubs, accounting for $22.5 million in sales.
The webinar is part of the extension program’s Local Foods Open Space Community Discussion, a bi-weekly discussion among owners of farms, food stands, farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture stands, small grocers, cottage food businesses, farm-to-school programs, restaurants, food shops and others in the local foods community.
The recording will later be made available at www.uaex.edu/localfoods.
The extension program also created a question-and-answer document, with answers to commonly asked questions about farmers’ markets, available at https://bit.ly/2YAV1f4.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact a local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.edu. Follow the agency on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without discrimination.