Sowing Support: Farmers for Tomorrow Fundraiser to Benefit Aspiring Farmers
Farmers for Tomorrow aids first-generation farmers. Sept. 12 from 5-7:30 p.m. at CAFF Farm
By Jenifer Fouch – Aug. 28, 2024
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Starting a farm from scratch is no easy task, especially for first-generation farmers. The costs for tools, equipment, seeds, and storage can quickly become overwhelming. To help ease this burden, the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food, CAFF, created the Farmers for Tomorrow Fund — a resource designed to assist aspiring farmers in launching their businesses.
The annual Farmers for Tomorrow Benefit Happy Hour is set for 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at the CAFF Farm, 1005 Meade Ave., in Fayetteville. In case of rain, an alternative location will be available. Tickets are on sale now.
“This event offers an evening of great food, local brews, a silent auction, and live music — all in support of helping new local farms take root and thrive,” said Heather Friedrich, CAFF program manager.
Farmers for Tomorrow event attendees will be offered dishes crafted by talented chefs Thor Maher and James Tyler of Fire and Lightning Catering, featuring fresh produce grown by students at the CAFF Farm School. This year, the band KALO will provide entertainment with their unique blend of rhythm, blues and rock ‘n’ roll.
Tickets are $65 per person or $330 for a table of six. Friedrich said that by purchasing a ticket, becoming a sponsor, or making a donation, supporters are “not just enjoying a night out—you’re investing in the future of our local food system, economy, and regional food security.”
The Farmers for Tomorrow Fund is available to graduates of the Farm School program who have secured land and are ready to start farming.
Past recipients of the Farmers for Tomorrow Fund include Sunny Acres Farms, Purple Finch Farm, and Blooming Hope Mushroom Farm.
Sunny Acres is a small-scale market farm committed to regenerative agriculture and organic practices, with produce available at the Fayetteville and Goshen markets. Purple Finch Farm is a market garden and truck patch in Prairie Grove. Blooming Hope aims to make mushrooms the next “superfood,” while reconnecting people with nature.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the CAFF website, or call 479-575-2798.
CAFF acknowledges the support of its event partner, Farm Bureau Arkansas, and its sponsors, Adventure Subaru, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, and Simmons Foods.
To learn more about the Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow us on 𝕏 at @ArkAgResearch, subscribe to the Food, Farms and Forests podcast and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on 𝕏 at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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