Looking Ahead To Fall: Cooperative Ext. Service Webinar Offers Farmers Guidance For Planning Fall Activities
LITTLE ROCK, ARK.
Though summer is in full force, many farm managers are planning now for how to safely offer fall activities such as corn mazes, pumpkin patches, hayrides and other fall festivities amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Nearly 300 farms in Arkansas have agritourism activities, which generate about $4.7 million in annual income, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, the most recent source of data.
The Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, offered a free webinar on July 20 to discuss how farm operators can prepare to safely offer fall events. Jeff Jackson with the Arkansas Department of Health and Ruth Pepler with Dogwood Hills Guest Farm provided information on guidance, restrictions and safety measures.
The discussion began at 2:30 p.m.
The webinar was offered through extension’s Local, Regional & Safe Foods Team, led by Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez. The open discussions were a place for owners of small farms, food businesses, small groceries, nonprofits, farmers markets, farm stands and other local food stakeholders, to share resources and seek technical support while navigating COVID-19.
Discussions are recorded and will be available to view after the meeting date. For more information, contact Rip Weaver at rweaver@uaex.edu. ∆