Farmers for Tomorrow
A fund to provide seeds and tools for new Arkansas farms.
Benefit Happy Hour
Food • Drinks • Silent Auction • Live Music • Dancing
Special Guest: Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture
Tickets are $65 – Includes Food & Drinks
Group ticket Discounts! Purchase six or more.
September 12, 2024
5:00 – 7:30 PM
at The CAFF Farm
1005 Meade Avenue
Fayetteville, AR
The annual Farmers for Tomorrow Benefit Happy Hour is a fun night of great food, local brews, a silent auction, and live music! The evening features delicious creations prepared by a local chef, using the fresh harvest grown by the Farm School students. Guest speakers include local farmers and Wes Ward, the Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture.
The event proceeds directly benefit new local farms launched by program graduates. These funds help purchase seeds, tools, structures, and equipment. When you support the Farmers For Tomorrow fund by donating or purchasing a ticket, you can taste the difference you’ve made in the regional food system. There is an alternative location for this event in the event of rain.
This Year’s Food!
Our delicious menu prepared by Fire & Lightning with fresh ingredients from the farm.
Beet Hummus with Pita Chips
Bruschetta
Wasabi Lemongrass Slaw
Pasta Primavera with Vegetables
Grilled Eggplant with Charred Shishito Chimichurri
Pasta Primavera with vegetables and Basil Pesto
Root vegetable Au Gratin
Cauliflower Squash Succotash
PawPaw pudding
Drinks include Local Brews & Signature Blackberry Cocktail/Mocktail
This Year’s Music!
Wow! We have an incredible music experience planned for you with KALO!
Sexy guitar. Infectious rhythms. Smoky vocals. KALO is groovesome rhythm and blues meets fiery rock ‘n’ roll.
KALO defies convention, channeling power trios like The Police, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Rush or Cream. Much in the vein of Led Zeppelin, the band fuses blues-influenced songs with rock and roll anthems and electric shows.
In 2019, KALO was featured as part of the groundbreaking docuseries Play it Loud and as part of the nationally syndicated podcast and concert series, Live from the Divide.
In 2018, KALO was nominated for Best Album in the Indie/Alternative Rock category of the Independent Music Awards for their 2017 album, “Wild Change”. The funky, guitar- and rhythm-laced studio album was fresh on the heels of KALO’s live album, “Live in NYC”, recorded at the renowned The Bitter End music club in New York City and released in late 2016.
KALO has developed a loyal following with fevered stage shows and raw energy. Brandishing a unique and genre-bending interpretation of the blues and rock ‘n’ roll, everything about KALO is unexpected … and infectious.
“THERE’S A TRUTH, PURE AND SIMPLE … THAT LEAVES YOU WANTING MORE. ”
— SKOPE MAGAZINE
Special Guest
Our special guest is Wes Ward who is currently serving as the 3rd Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Arkansas. He was first appointed to the position in 2015.
Wes is from the small town of Lake City in Northeast Arkansas and is a graduate of Riverside High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business with an emphasis in Agricultural Finance from Arkansas State University. Wes has also earned a law degree (JD), a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) in Agricultural and Food Law, and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Arkansas.
Wes has been serving in the United States Marine Corps for over 24 years. He is currently serving in the Marine Corps Reserves as the Executive Officer of the 1st Civil Affairs Group in Camp Pendleton, California.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture includes the Forestry Division, Livestock and Poultry Division, Natural Resources Division, and Plant Industries Division. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture, forestry, and natural resources to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while conserving natural resources and ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation.
Big Thanks To Our Event Partners
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
We also thank our event sponsors for making this event possible!
What Is Farmers For Tomorrow?
Starting a new farm is expensive! Aside from land, the bare start-up essentials for fruit and vegetable production include tools and equipment, irrigation, soil amendments, seeds and plants, harvesting bins, cold storage, and likely fencing. These essentials add up quickly, especially if you’re a first-generation farmer. That’s why CAFF established the Farmers for Tomorrow fund for aspiring farmers who have invested their time in our Farm School program. Once former students have acquired farmland in Arkansas and are ready to break ground, they can apply for additional start-up funds from Farmers for Tomorrow.
How Can You Help?
By purchasing a ticket to our event, becoming a sponsor, or donating. Our goal is to raise $10,000 annually. Your ticket purchase or donation for this fundraising event is an investment in our community’s regional food system, the local economy, a small business, and regional food security.
Please register for our monthly newsletter on the CONTACT page to stay informed about this and other events. If you would like to farm, apply for the CAFF Farm School.
FARMERS FOR TOMORROW FUND RECIPIENTS
Sunny Acres Farms is a small-scale market farm focused on regenerative agricultural and organic practices. Look for them at the Fayetteville and Goshen markets.
Purple Finch Farm is a market garden/truck patch, located in Prairie Grove, Arkansas.
CAFF Farm School graduate Luz and her husband launched their farm with a mission to make mushrooms the next superfood and reconnect people with nature!