LIVING OFF THE LAND

Dinner in the field

Heifer International event feeds fund that assists Arkansas farmers

Despite relaxed fashion rules, it's still pretty much tradition to wait until after Memorial Day to officially break out the wardrobe whites. With that holiday behind us, white-attire party season is in full force.

Beyond Hunger: Feast in the Field was among the first of such soirees taking place. Guests turned out in their dressy-casual whites for the sold-out, fourth annual Heifer International benefit, held June 10 at the organization's Little Rock headquarters. Lorri Hambuchen was event chairman.

An opening "farmers market" cocktail reception had guests move to the west lawn, where they partook of libations and passed morsels; observed farm animals; and took up Heifer's offer to buy a chick, rabbit, cow, "milk menagerie" (a group of milk-producing animals) or an "ark" to help farmers in Arkansas. They also had the chance to view exhibits inside the building and enjoyed music by the Finch Family Trio.

Later, everyone moved to the organization's east-lawn pavilion and settled down to a dinner prepared by Heritage Grille Steak & Fin and consisting of locally produced foods: mixed berry salad; spice-crusted pork loin and spice-rubbed chicken; roasted root vegetables; beer-braised Swiss chard; and Loblolly ice cream.

Mallory Brooks and David Bazzel were the masters of ceremonies for a brief program that included remarks by Heifer International president Pierre Ferrari and comments about Heifer's work in Arkansas from Melanie Ward, board chairman of the Grass Roots Farmers' Cooperative. End-of-evening entertainment consisted of dancing to the sounds of The GroanUps.

The dinner was billed as a "zero waste event" due to electricity from solar panels, recycled/recyclable materials and leftover food and drink destined to be used as compost.

Feast in the Field grossed about $250,000, according to Allison Stephens, public relations manager for Heifer. The proceeds will go to help small-scale Arkansas farmers and their cooperatives.

-- Story and photos by

Helaine R. Williams

High Profile on 06/19/2016

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