Market Opens

The Kruth Talks

By Amber Kruth

The Fayetteville Farmers’ Market officially begins its 2010 season April 3. The market will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the downtown square. The market will be at the Mill District near Greenhouse Grille from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. All products sold at the market are grown or made by the vendors.

Pet Food Bank

The City of Fayetteville is trying to organize a Pet Food Bank. Many pet owners are sacrificing their animals to the pound because of the economy and being unable to pay the additional expense for food and care. To run the food bank program and not create an additional strain on the city budget, the initiative will rely on donations from the public. You can drop donations at any city fire station. The city hopes to have an official kick off date of May 1.

Forbes No. 7

Although ranked at 397 as “America’s Best Colleges,” the University of Arkansas was ranked No. 7 by Forbes magazine as a “Top College Sports Town” based on the region and the curriculum of athletics offered at the university. Praised highly for the vibe of a small town with lakes, trails and the structure of a city with all the amenities, Fayetteville has the best of both worlds with a good sports program to boot. Median household income, affordability of living, public schooling and crime rate also impacted the rating.

Sustainability Certificates

The University of Arkansas Global Campus has created 10 green education and sustainability programs for students, professionals or individuals to earn a certificate through an online course. These noncredit courses cost from $9 to learn how to be a more environmentally conscious driver to $499 to become a Certified Preparer of Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans. There is a course for Home Energy Fundamentals, Real Estate Agents to become EcoBrokers, and a general course to Adopt Green Practices into your business. The university hopes to expand this curriculum by the fall enrollment as an undergraduate minor and a graduated certificate in sustainability.