In 2015, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) adopted the national Homegrown by Heroes branding program that enables farmer veterans to market their local agricultural products by labeling them as veteran-produced. With support from Governor Hutchinson, the Department launched this program, which is administered by the Farmer Veteran Coalition.
To participate in this free program, farmers must have veteran, active duty, National Guard or Reserve member of the United States Armed Forces status. In order to apply for Homegrown by Heroes certification, you must first belong to the Farmer Veteran Coalition and certified through the national Homegrown by Heroes program.
You can join the Farmer Veteran Coalition here. Once this step is completed, you can join the national Homegrown by Heroes program at this link, then let us know through the Become a Member form on this website.
Veterans who are a part of the program will receive an Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department-approved metal sign for their property that will list them and the property as being a part of the Homegrown by Heroes program. The sign will also list information about their service. Each sign is custom-designed for each participant.
The information provided is supplied by the producer and its listing does not imply any sponsorship or endorsement by the ADA. Members are responsible for the accuracy of their listings. To update member information at any time, contact Karen Reynolds, karen.reynolds@agriculture.arkansas.gov.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Taylor Brandt
Taylor is the son of an Army veteran who is continuing to serve in the Reserves. Taylor attends the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville working toward his Bachelor of Science in Food Science with Minors in Agribusiness & Horticulture.
Taylor graduated from Bentonville High School where he was an AP Scholar, a member of the National Honors Society, and on the Dean’s List. He was also very involved with extra-curricular activities.
Taylor has worked in the food industry in multiple jobs. His career goal is to continue his education in food law where he wants to work with policymakers and emphasize locally focused agriculture.
Gavin Sparks
Gavin is the son of an Arkansas Army National Guard Veteran serving active duty. Gavin attends the Mississippi State University where he is studying precision agriculture and crop consulting.
Gavin graduated from Harding Academy where he was on the honor roll while attaining perfect citizenship. He was a leader in sports, mentorship, Beta Club, and community service.
Gavin has worked at several jobs in the agriculture industry. His career goal is to advance his education with a master’s degree then return to farming to continue his family legacy.
Congratulations to these Scholars!
Promotional Opportunities for Arkansas Farmers Markets
LITTLE ROCK, AR. – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) is pleased to partner with the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas for the sixth annual Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program and the Arkansas Farmers Market Bag Program. These programs, which are administered by the Department and funded by the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas, help build awareness for farmers markets and their vendors. Interest in locally grown and made products increased significantly during the pandemic, and these programs provide funding assistance for the state’s farmers markets to continue to serve their communities.
Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program
Farmers Market Promotion Grants may fund the following promotional items to build community and regional awareness for a specific farmers market: signage listing names, seasons, times of operation, and location details; local traditional advertising; and social media campaigns. In 2020, the Department provided over $7,500 in grants to 21 Arkansas farmers markets through the partnership with the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas.
Applications are due March 1, 2021. Applications and additional information can be found at https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-programs/farmers-market-programs/.
Arkansas Farmers Market Bag Program
Reusable paper shopping bags are available for purchase by farmers markets or vendors at greatly reduced rates through the Arkansas Farmers Market Bag program. This service assists farmers markets and/or vendors in providing convenient shopping bags for their customers. More than 7,000 shopping bags were provided to Arkansas farmers markets in 2020.
Additional information about how to order the shopping bags can also be found at https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-programs/farmers-market-programs.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov.
With more than $3.7 billion in assets, the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas support rural communities and agriculture across Arkansas with reliable, consistent credit and financial services today and tomorrow. In Arkansas, the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas are owned by the more than 11,000 customer-owners they serve. Through the cooperative structure, customer-owners have a voice and vote in the associations’ governance. Members also share in the cooperatives’ financial success through cooperative returns which total more than $243 million since 1997.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has collaborated with a number of organizations to create a map of resources for local food during the COVID-19 pandemic.
