The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food announced on May 12 that its annual Farmers for Tomorrow Benefit Happy Hour will take place on June 11 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the CAFF Farm, located at 1005 Meade Ave. in Fayetteville. All proceeds from the event will support graduates of the Farm School program through the Farmers for Tomorrow Fund.
The benefit aims to help new farmers cover essential start-up costs such as seeds, tools, and equipment. Heather Friedrich, program manager at CAFF, said, “Supporting the event increases food security, diversity and a thriving, healthy local food system. These farms provide fresh produce to local farmers markets, schools, restaurants and community-supported agriculture programs.”
Tickets are priced at $75 each or $390 for six people. The evening will feature canapés prepared by Chef Jerrmy Gawthrop using produce grown by students of the CAFF Farm School program. Friedrich said of Gawthrop: “From Greenhouse Grille in the mid-2000s, to co-founding the Roots Festival, to crafting wood-fired pizzas at Woodstone Pizza, Chef Gawthrop has long championed fresh, locally grown, chef-driven food.” Local band Crescent City Combo will provide music reminiscent of New Orleans jazz.
Additional activities include a farm tour and a silent auction. Attendees can also enjoy local beers and seasonal cocktails from Tonik Mobile Bar with non-alcoholic options available. In case of rain, an alternative location will be announced via social media and the event website.
Friedrich said starting a new farm is expensive due to costs like tools and equipment needed even before planting begins: “These essentials add up quickly especially if you’re a first-generation farmer,” she said. “That’s why CAFF established the Farmers for Tomorrow Fund for aspiring farmers who have invested their time in our Farm School program.” Once graduates secure farmland in Arkansas they may apply for start-up funds through this initiative.
Supporters can contribute by purchasing tickets or making donations online; there is an annual fundraising goal of $10,000. Applications for next year’s Farm School open in June via UAFarmSchool.org.
Recent recipients of support include Bloom Table Farm (2026), Majestic Paradise Farms (2026), Maggie Lynn Farms (2026), Welcome Home Farm (2026), Vernie Loretta Farm (2025), Blooming Hope Mushroom Farm (2024), Purple Finch Farm (2023) and Sunny Acres Farms (2022).
Sponsors this year include University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture along with Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural Food & Life Sciences; Arkansas Farm Bureau; Adventure Subaru.
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service receives funding through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as state appropriations according to the official website. The Extension Service operates county offices across all seventy-five counties in Arkansas utilizing research centers statewide as part of its mission within the University System Division Of Agriculture—supporting communities both rural & urban while enhancing agriculture families & social cohesion through research-backed practices.
