As we enter the month of October, Arkansas gears up to celebrate Arkansas Farm to School Month – a time dedicated to connecting schools, early childhood education sites, and various organizations with local farms to provide children with access to fresh, healthy food.
This initiative is part of a nationwide effort to foster a deeper connection between communities and local food producers, enriching the lives of students and families alike. By changing food purchasing and education practices within schools and alternative learning environments, Arkansas Farm to School Month aims to empower children to make informed food choices while contributing to the local economy and creating vibrant communities.
One of the key components of Farm to School is the implementation of school gardens, which serve as invaluable educational tools. These gardens not only provide students with the opportunity to consume healthy foods but also enable them to engage in hands-on learning through gardening and farming. Studies have shown that when children are involved in growing their own food, they are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and are more willing to try new varieties.
Currently, Arkansas boasts an impressive 350 school gardens across the state, each varying in type and design, including greenhouses, raised beds, and containers inside classrooms. These gardens not only promote healthy eating habits but also foster a deeper connection to nature and provide valuable lessons in nutrition.
The Arkansas General Assembly passed The Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act in 2017 and amended the act in 2019. The act requires institutions to set a goal of spending at least 20% of their purchase of food products on local food. It also requires institutions to complete a reporting form, created by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, on their local food procurement budget on a yearly basis.
In the most recent reporting cycle, 284 institutions serving children aged 18 and younger reported spending over $194 million on food, with nearly 20% of their food budget allocated to local foods.
As we celebrate Arkansas Farm to School Month, let us recognize the importance of promoting healthy eating habits, supporting local farmers, and providing educational opportunities for our youth. By fostering a connection between students, communities, and local food producers, we can create a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
Despite location change, Bikes, Blues & BBQ still business as usual for many
by John Post (jtpost87@gmail.com)
In January, the Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally announced that it would be relocating to Rogers after more than two decades housed in Fayetteville. The rally, scheduled for Oct. 5-8, relocated after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and after logistical issues posed problems for hosting this year in Fayetteville.
But, while it may not be centrally located in the city that had hosted it for more than two decades, it will still be business as usual for many in the region when the motorcycles roll into Northwest Arkansas this fall.
In January, organizers of the annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally announced a relocation this year from Fayetteville to Rogers.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. It is the most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of death among women. In 2018, there were 2,339 new breast cancer cases and 368 cancer deaths in the state.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer and the importance of early detection. In 1997, the Arkansas General Assembly passed the Breast Cancer Act, which led to the ADH’s BreastCare program. The BreastCare program coordinates efforts with providers to offer no-cost screenings and follow-up services to eligible women who are uninsured or underinsured.
Last year, the program served 8,403 women in fiscal year 2021. Those services resulted in 62 Arkansas women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.
The General Assembly continually reviews legislation to improve services for early detection. In the most recent legislative session, we passed Act 553.
ACT 553 amends the law concerning coverage of diagnostic examinations for breast cancer under certain health benefit plans. It clarifies that an insurer, upon the recommendation of a woman's physician, must offer screening mammography as an essential health benefit if the woman has a prior history of breast cancer or the woman's mother, sister, or any first- or second-degree female relative of the woman has had a history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other risk factors.
According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.
The Arkansas Department of Health is encouraging women to talk with their healthcare providers about getting screened. If you would like more information on the BreastCare program, call 501-661-2942 or visit www.arbreastcare.com.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. That equates to more than 10 million women and men.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Communities and advocacy organizations across the country connect with the public and one another throughout the month to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and ways to stop it.
We want to take this time to remind you about the new laws passed this year in an effort to prevent abuse and protect victims.
ACT 800 creates the Arkansas Phoenix Act of 2021, which amends the statute of limitations for offenses involving domestic violence and provides for training to be given to law enforcement officers on additional topics that arise in which domestic violence is suspected.
Act 1068 provides that a court may enter an order enjoining a party from engaging in course of control. The act defines course of control as a pattern of behavior that unreasonably interferes with the free will and personal liberty of a person.
ACT 980 creates a mechanism to protect the address information of victims of domestic violence on all voter registration materials.
Act 913 provides that if a person requests from the Department of Finance and Administration the residence address of a driver's license holder who participates in the address confidentiality program due to domestic violence, the department shall provide the information only if the person presents a current court order finding a compelling reason and the person has not been convicted of domestic violence against who the order of protection has been entered.
No person should be subjected to the fear, shame, and humiliation that an abusive relationship produces. And leaving those relationships is not easy.
If you are someone you know is impacted by domestic violence, visit www.laurascard.ar.gov today to find resources near you.