Introducing the NEW... Certified Arkansas Farmer's Market

Farmer's Interested in Joining CAFM, Inc.

CAFM was created for farmer's by farmer's.  We are working to provide you with a network of markets, CSA's, buying clubs, and stores that sell to local consumers.  Our main policy is simple. Only products grown in Arkansas can be sold at CAFM (NLR & Hot Springs Village). We have established over many years of research, a simple, yet effective way to reduce deception at markets and protect farmer's from unfair practices by wholesalers and resellers. We inspect each participating farmer to insure the basic information provided by the farmer is accurate and true and we ask for a simple hand written crop plan, and work closely with the farmer at the market to insure the produce gets sold.  (More info on CAFM below.)

Here are the two tools you need below for you to download:  The application is the same for Argenta & Hot Springs Village.

Link to CAFM Application for Participation in 2008

Link to CAFM Rules & Information Booklet

Update March 23rd: First Meeting Date Set For CAFM

Wednesday, March 26th, at 5 p.m. in the Hardin, Grace Law Firm on Main St. in Argenta (downtown NLR, Arkansas adjacent to the U.S. Post Office). 

All farmers and food producers interested in participating in the new Certified Arkansas Farmers' Market are invited to attend. We will explain the new market and all that it will offer small farmer's of Arkansas.

Contact Jody Hardin for more information 501.231.0094

BACKGROUND ON CAFM

Posted February, 2008 (below)

We are excited to announce the anticipated opening date of May 3, 2008 in an ideal setting with proven community support.

What kind of Market?
A strictly governed producer only market, that allows food products from all counties of Arkansas. Food and plants will be the only products available at the market. Meat, cheeses, and all the food groups, if grown on a Arkansas farm, can be sold at this market, provided the producer meets all market certification poliicies.

Where will it be located?  Two locations in central Arkansas

North Little Rock (Argenta District in Downtown)

We have been granted the use of a two acre parking lot on Main Street in historic Argenta(NLR). We are in the 400 block that connects to the old Prime Quality Feed Mill. Customer parking is abundant in all the side streets and along main, with many new exciting restaurants opening in the near future. We hope to have parking attendants on duty, and have plans to install video cameras for security. The whole area has wireless Internet access.The River Rail will bring many curious shoppers over and stop directly at CAFM, and the River Bridge plans to open in early summer. Already, we have banners and billboards being designed to point the way to the new farmer's market in Argenta. We will eventually connect the two citys, and food will be the glue.

Hot Springs Village (Outside West Gate Entrance)

We will be set up in the center of the big parking lot at the Paul Bewie Boys and Girls Club. Parking is easy and convenient for all, and close to the cluster of farmers who are expected to participate.

More info coming soon... check for updates on NEWS & EVENTS page.

If you are a Arkansas food producer, email us at: certifiedarkansas@yahoo.com

 or please contact us by phone 501.231.0094 and speak to Jody Hardin, market manager (please leave a voicemail if no answer)

Resources for Interested Participants of CAFM:

From the University of Kentucky, this is one of the best sources of information for our CAFM group to read:  http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/aec/aec77/aec77.htm