It's a common and understandable misconception that Heifer International works only in developing countries. It is Heifer International, after all, and most press attention is focused on its animal husbandry and rural development investments there.
"A lot of people I've talked to have said, 'It's great that you're working in Romania or wherever, but what about in our own Delta? In our own backyard?'" Gary Parrish says. "Heifer is working in our own backyard. We're creating sustainable programs that are right here in our own neighborhood."
That lack of awareness is something Heifer hopes to correct with Feast in the Field, which raises money and spreads the word about the Heifer USA programs and the work the organization does in Arkansas. Parrish is one of the event's committee members. Another is Jill Bloom.
This is the third year for Feast in the Field, and Parrish and Bloom say that, as far as events go, this one is really hitting its stride.
By international standards, the Delta of east Arkansas is fertile. The ground supports nearly any cash crop, but it barely supports its traditional human stewards. Money flows to the land owners who may or may not live there. The average Delta family may work the land but doesn't own it, and so struggles to make a living.
Heifer USA tries to help those small-scale farmers by introducing farming innovations, encouraging mentor relationships and cooperatives between them, and helping farm families connect to consistent, profitable markets for their produce. Through the program, not only will farmers thrive, but communities will have more access to locally grown food and the nutritional benefits that come along with it.
One way they do that is through the Community Supported Agriculture program. Local residents buy a share of a farmer's crop for the season and receive a portion of the crop each week. "It helps the farmers if it happens to be a bad year and if it's a good year, they share their produce with us," explains Bloom, who is a shareholder.
That means weekly supplies of fresh, in-season strawberries, tomatoes, kale, radishes and "things I've never heard of," she says. "It's fun!"
The point of Heifer USA, like all Heifer programs, is "the hand-up and not hand-out," Parrish says. Teaching farmers new ways to support themselves and to thrive, then helping and encouraging them to share those best practices with fellow farmers.
Guests can learn all about it, getting an up-close look and taste at Feast in the Field, an outdoor, farm-to-table dinner that's all about being local. Chefs from YaYa's Euro Bistro will prepare locally grown food for the reception while a team of chefs under the leadership of John Kerkeslager, executive chef at Heritage Grille Steak & Fin, will cook a dinner including meat from Grass Roots Farmers' Cooperative and produce from Heifer Ranch.
Guests will also have the chance to examine some of the innovative farm equipment Heifer USA provides to farmers, like versatile greenhouses called hoop houses. Or chicken tractors, which keep chickens protected but also allow farmers to move them easily from one plot of ground to another.
People are welcome to not only learn about the products but to "buy" equipment that Heifer will then give to Delta farmers.
Some farmers who have been helped by the program will be at Feast in the Field as featured speakers, and some of the livestock from Heifer Ranch in Perryville will be onsite for meet-and-greet and photo opportunities. Guests are asked to dress in white to reflect what Bloom calls "the natural purity of farm to table."
"Nice and clean and refreshing," Parrish says.
There will also be music by Donna Massey and Blue-Eyed Soul and a drawing for a trip for two to Heifer's much bigger, older fundraiser, Beyond Hunger in Los Angeles.
Feast in the Field gets a new home this year -- sort of. In the past it has been held in a tent on the Heifer grounds, but this year Heifer's new, permanent structure behind Heifer Village should be ready by feast time.
Bloom and Parrish said they hope the dinner is a delicious community affair that gives Heifer an opportunity to highlight the work it's doing in its home state.
"Heifer could choose to be anywhere. It's an international organization that should be recognized by everybody who lives here, and they should understand what a significant difference it's made," Parrish says.
They hope the event does as much to raise money for local programs as it does to broaden the charity's presence among local donors and volunteers.
"There's so many different opportunities," Parrish says. "I hope [people] walk away feeling good about what's going on."
As Parrish says, getting people on board with the mission has been "an easy sell."
Bloom adds, "It gives food on the table. It gives opportunity. It gives hope and it gives dignity to a family. It's simple and it just makes sense."
Feast in the Field is 6 p.m. May 30 at Heifer Village, 1 World Ave. Tickets are $150. Call (501) 907-8800 or visit feastinthefield.org.
High Profile on 05/24/2015