The Hackett Hornets baseball season was barely underway when news broke a month ago that games were being suspended for the time being in light of COVID-19. While disappointed, the players still held a glimmer of hope that after a few weeks they would be back on the field clearing bases. But a few weeks passed and then a few more weeks passed and then the inevitable happened. The very news that coaches, players, and fans had been tucking away in the back of their minds for fear of it actually coming true. The AAA had decided it was best for everyone’s safety to move forward with the canceling of spring sports.
Tyler Satterfield
For the Hackett Hornets, there was a wide range of mixed emotions felt by each of the players. This was going to be THE season. They just knew it. First year coaches, Jordan Shelby and Ryan Pointer, were excited to unleash on the 2A-4 division the finely polished creation they had been building up for months. Also known as the Diamond Hornets. With a roster of 21 players who each held their own unique talents, the Hornets were eager to get it done. Before the season got pulled, Hackett was able to get one conference win on the board against the Lavaca Arrows. Before that, they had taken a non-conference 8-3 loss against the Waldron Bulldogs placing the Hornets with an overall season record of 1-1.
Pitcher Ethan Slavens
The Hornets will be losing seven seniors this year. Tyler Satterfield and Dylan Kats who were both starting in the field and going to help out pitching and Hunter Christenberry, Laine Harper, Hank Moses, Tyler Sutliff, and Zach Gragg. “COVID-19 really put a downer on what I thought was going to be a good season,” expressed Coach Shelby. “The seniors don’t get their last year to play and all the other players lose out on the chance to play and get better.”
Jesse Esparza
Returning next year to seek their revenge on the season that never was, will be Camron Rundel, Ayden Nichols, Kade Banning, Isaiah Carter, Jesse Esparza, Ethan Slavens, Mason Oelke, Jake Fisher, Cash Oliver, Ty Smith, Mikey Straub, Luke Gann, and John Ruben. “We have several underclassmen ready and willing to step up and help us next season. We will have most of our guys returning for next year and I expect them to step up and fill the holes. I’m planning to have a good season next year with all the kids coming back.” Coach Shelby’s departing words for his players, “Keep working hard so that we can come back stronger for next year.”
In 2014, Mansfield was introduced to a new generation of athletes. A crop of wildly enthusiastic seventh graders were trying every sport and building a foundation for what looked to be six years of competitive sports. That was just about the time ESPN announcer Stuart Scott was reaching his untimely end. You remember him. That’s the man that made the catchphrase “boo-yah” a household word when watching nightly sports highlights like NBA buzzer beaters were still the rage. He’s the same guy that characterized the best player “as cool as the other side of the pillow”.
Sadly, Scott lost his battle with colon cancer on January 4, 2015, just as these freshly minted Mansfield Tigers were entering their second semester of athletics. Who knows if Scott’s hip-hop style of broadcasting influenced these young players. It seems plausible that his outlandish Sportscenter style appealed to the up and coming athletes. As this class of 2020 moved on through the years, those whimsical Scottisms were fading fast. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter found the upper ground as highlights didn’t need a tagline just a retweet. But, wouldn’t it have been cool if today’s seniors could have sniffed a Stuart Scott breath mint describing at least one more heroic Tiger play?
What could have, would have, or should have been a sports moment to glorify in any capacity for this senior class stopped abruptly a little over four weeks ago. This spring, Mansfield athletes barely got things started with hopes of fantastic finishes and state-bound ambitions. Track meets, softball games, and baseball competitions vanished without warning due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tiger seniors such as Lennon Woods and Delilah McKusker who lived track and field were lost. Teammates Janna Coplin and Addison Goetz were equally crushed that their sports careers were over. “It was heartbreaking,” confessed Woods, who previously qualified to state in younger years as a relay runner and hurdler. “I remember thinking maybe it (pandemic) will be over soon. Then getting that text that I’d never get to do what I loved the most ever again; I just wish I had the chance to do it all over again so I could have done better for myself and my team.”
McKusker, who took on the 300-meter hurdles race as her premiere event added similar thoughts. “Learning I would never get another opportunity to wear my Mansfield uniform on the track again was heartbreaking,” cried McKusker. “Even my last meet was cut short just before my specialty race. It’s incredibly unfair and heartbreaking but my time is done and I’m happy with the memories I have.”
Coplin who specialized in throwing the discus and who set a personal record of 83 feet 8 inches in her only meet of this season shared the following text message. “My senior year of track is what I have been looking forward to for so long,” wrote Coplin. “My heart breaks. I was so excited about so many things such as the Quad City meet, senior breakfast, and maybe qualifying to state. And most of all I just wanted to have a season to make my coach, teammates, and family proud.”
Goetz, a senior utility player that ran sprints, relays, and learned to compete in the horizontal jumps also shared a text message. “It didn’t really feel like we had a season at all,” admitted Goetz. “All the seniors have been on the track team since the 7th grade. I think we are all disappointed that the last six years led to this ending.” Jacob Brown and Jaicy Griffin off the men’s track team revealed disappointment as well. “It’s upsetting to see a season end abruptly whenever you had worked hard for several years to try to be the best you could be,” reflected Brown, a throws specialist who went over 111 feet in the discus. “It’s even more upsetting whenever you had a goal of qualifying for the state meet but couldn’t accomplish the goal because your senior season was cut short. It hurts. Everyone put in tons of work to be as great as possible.”
Griffin, a sprinter that had previous trips to the state finals on his resume, was unavailable for comment. According to one of his track coaches, Griffin like the others was disappointed. “At least he got to run the 4×200 meter relay,” stated John Mackey, one of the track coaches at Mansfield. “AAA is bringing that event back next year. Jaicy anchored that exhibition relay race for a come from behind win at Van Buren. That was his last race before everything shut down.” Softball players Kyli Davidson, Abby Morgan, and Maggie Strunk couldn’t believe it was over either. “I’ve played softball with the other two seniors for the majority of the 12 years I’ve played,” said Davidson. “Softball isn’t just another game for me. It’s something I have fallen in love with over time. I was so excited for softball this year. I won’t ever put those cleats back on but I know the love will always be there for the game. I’m thankful for all the support our community has given us.”
Strunk, who had a large amount of success through golf, volleyball, and basketball spent this winter in offseason workouts for a jump start to her senior softball season. “Only playing five games of my senior season of softball was very heartbreaking,” wrote Strunk via text message. “It was hard to let it all go. Every softball player was excited for the season to start. We had the potential to go far. I am very thankful that I was able to share some of my last memories as a senior with the sweetest, most encouraging people.”
Morgan, who also dedicated her winter to softball preseason workouts after a successful run to state in volleyball, shared her thoughts by message. “Absolutely devastated,” described Morgan. “After playing softball for so many years it was hard to say goodbye. I just want to say a big thank you to my coaches for making me work even on the days I didn’t want to. I’m thankful for all my teammates for giving me so many unforgettable memories.” Morgan was not the only senior to mention their teammates, family, or coaches. Nearly every senior player interviewed for this story expressed disappointment, relived memories, and then thanked someone for support.
Baseball player Isaac Cothran had family and support right there close on his team. His dad Tim Cothran was his head coach for the diamond Tigers this 2020 season. Coach and son shared a rare moment together when the end was eerily imminent. Mansfield was playing their first home game of the season on March 12 versus Lamar. The game itself lasted only about one inning. An early arriving rainstorm hammered the proceedings with big drops and tiny bits of hail. The game was called off less than midstream. Not long after the stoppage, word was hitting the internet that the AAA was suspending the basketball championship games at Hot Springs and all spring sports were taking an indefinite delay.
As the story unfolded, Tim and Isaac were the last two to leave the Tiger dugout as the shocking internet news crowed their conversation. According to Coach Cothran, Isaac asked if this was his last ballgame. “I hope not,” said Coach Cothran. “But, anything is possible. I hope we have many more games to play.” Coach’s hope and Isaac’s dream to play on were both dashed as March moved into April. “I hate that it had to end before it even got started,” said an unabashed Isaac Cothran. “I never got to accomplish what I was hoping I could my senior season, and it feels strange.”
Baseball teammate Clay James admitted he too was not prepared for the sudden end to a season already hamstrung by wet fields from rainy March days. “Well, it just goes to show you can’t take anything for granted,” admitted James. “You have to make the most of your opportunities. We had the potential for a good season with some good talent coming up. It stinks that it had to end so soon. I’m just thankful I got this opportunity to play Tiger baseball with my coaches and teammates.”
McKusker wrapped it up for the track majority by saying this. “I’m crushed that we won’t get our last lap around the Tiger track, but I realize everything happens for a reason and it’s all part of life.” Goetz, the top academic student of Mansfield’s class of 2020, understood with a pearl of wisdom analogous to her scholastic status. “In the end, I understand that precautions have to be taken,” revealed the valedictorian with recognizable disappointment in her heart but rational thought in her head. “I’d rather us be safe and healthy.”
James finished off his conversation with sentiments similar to the other seniors. “There was never a game or practice that I didn’t have a good time,” said the baseball player. “I wouldn’t trade those memories with my team for anything.” Mansfield had 11 seniors participating in spring sports this season. Their remaining athletic schedule was a big deal. Although most had played other sports this year or enjoyed other activities, this was their final stretch towards a 12-year finish line. Nothing on earth would have led them to believe their athletic career would end at 11 years and some change.
If Stuart Scott were still alive today, he may have used another of his patented phrases. Usually, when a player was ejected as part of his highlight package he would offer this line. “You ain’t gotta go home, but you gotta get the heck outta here.” The Mansfield spring sport seniors may have felt like they were rudely asked to leave and to get the heck outta here. It’s not the case though. Fact is, plenty of thought regarding health and safety went into the discussion before drastic, unprecedented measures were taken.
With no season to complete nor heroic plays to describe, a catchphrase to capture the moments related to the 2020 track, softball, and baseball seasons were relegated as moot. However, to the individual seniors, it must be said. “Boo-yah!” For all the years, months, days, and minutes you gave to provide the best version of yourself, thanks for being a Tiger. For your preparedness and commitment, “Boo-yah!” It did not go unnoticed. Your time, regardless of length, mattered. Your memories are real.
The old saying is, “I learned to give, not because I have much, but because I know how it feels to have nothing.” This month’s hometown highlight is just such an ordinary, everyday life hero whose generous heart, and acts of love and kindness have been extraordinary.
Melissa Burroughs, 42, of Mansfield took a gifted sewing machine, fabric and thread and began creating masks to help fellow residents, particularly those who have been at a high risk for COVID-19. “I continued to follow the COVID-19 debriefings by the medical staff at the White House,” shared Burroughs. “They started saying how horrible shortages on masks were, urging people to make their own. You can’t find a bandana now, so I just sat down one day and experimented.” Burroughs husband, Brian is an essential worker, and she made a mask for him, his co-workers and their children.
This medically retired SWAT and hostage/crisis negotiator claims she is no seamstress, however, it wasn’t long before she was getting requests from a Van Buren nursing home, Greenwood Senior Center, and an oncology crew. All of this charitable work has been a labor of love. “I’m doing what I can, for who I can,” added Burroughs. “I’ll continue as long as there is a need, and I have the means.”
Burroughs equates herself to Rosie the Riveter, a strong, independent woman. “So many people are supporting this community. I see so many strong females coming together like Rosie the Riveter to help each other! The heroes who still faithfully feed the kids from the school, … the ladies selling eggs and beautiful masks, the grocery store employees, the police, gas attendants, mail carriers, sanitation workers, and pharmacy employees, it’s amazing! I am proud to be among them. We are ALL in this together. Don’t underplay YOUR importance. If all you can do is stay home…AWESOME!!! How many lives are you saving by doing that?!”
Her life hasn’t been an easy one by no means, and she has learned to give because she has seen unfortunate times. “Part of why I’m doing this…I nearly died. I also have PTSD. In 2017, I attempted suicide…My husband did CPR and brought me back…I’ve had lots of support and love from my family…I don’t know why I was gifted another opportunity at life…maybe so I could make masks!”
Her mom, whom she admits talked her through her first bobbin thread, has been a lifelong support. “My family was pretty poor growing up, but my dad and mom would always share what they had.” That taught Burroughs to selflessly minister to the needs of others. “It’s just little things. It’s not about being a good person, or doing extraordinary things. It’s about doing human things. We need each other!”
Burroughs and her husband have four sons: Seth, 23, Cole, 21, Jayson, 17, and Judah, 16. Cole and his fiancée, Lyah, will be having a baby in October, making Brian and Melissa first time grandparents.
Through their 20 years of marriage, Burroughs’ husband remains her inspiration. “My husband is rock solid. He loves his family, loves his customers, and is always willing to help…That’s an awesome example to strive for!” She also lives out her faith, and includes the scripture Psalms 55:22 in each of her mask orders: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Most of the recipients of Burroughs’ masks will never have the chance to meet her. One recipient, however, wanted to express their gratitude. “For Melissa and her husband Brian to care enough to see a need, and offer to meet that need without being asked is a ministry. They blessed me and my family with masks,” shared Sue Moore, a Mansfield resident considered high risk.
As a society we could all adopt Melissa Burroughs’ outlook on life, compassionate and giving. “All that said,” concluded Burroughs, “you have to accept where you’ve been in order to know where you’re going…I’m going to the sewing machine!”
Pictured is Coach Tim Cothran and his seniors Isaac Cothran and Clay James
When news hit that the Arkansas Athletics Association was going to suspend the remainder of the spring sports season due to the ever-present COVID-19 epidemic, the state turned so quiet that you could almost hear a pin drop. Coaches and parents alike would now have to set their own feelings aside while trying to comfort their players and players would now have to come to terms with the fact that they would not be able to finish competing in the sport that they loved. The most impacted by this shutdown though were the high school seniors who instead of finishing their final season with a bang now have to try and make sense of everything while remaining quarantined in their homes.
Isaac Cothran
The Mansfield Tigers will be hanging up baseball jerseys for two seniors this year. Isaac Cothran and Clay James have both been playing baseball for the Tigers since the ninth grade. James spent his time as an outfielder and a first baseman. He played in an overall total of 12 games earning him one hit, two stolen bases, three putouts, and one assist. Cothran played the majority of his time at third base while this season he also added first baseman to his resume. With a career total of 25 games played, he finishes with 12 hits, 10 runs, eight RBIs, four stolen bases, 85 putouts, and five assists. “It’s always tough to lose seniors,” expressed head coach, Tim Cothran. “It’s hard to lose the experience that these guys have.”
Clay James
The Tigers competed in four games before the season got shutdown. They were sitting with an overall record of 1-3 with their lone 9-3 win coming from defeating Lincoln. Mansfield took a loss against Mena, Broken Bow, and De Queen. “We had 14 players on our roster this year. We felt good about our depth of talent and with being a young team we always had a number of guys stepping up.” With the shutdown not only affecting the spring sports season but it’s also proving troublesome for the fall sports season as well due to the fact that workouts and practices have had to come to a halt too.
Nathan Brewer
“COVID has thrown us for a loop. All of our sports programs have been set back and affected. And at some point, this will begin to have a major impact on our upcoming fall sports. The old cliche “Keep your head up” seems to apply to what’s happening. What we are going through is unprecedented in our day. We will come through it though. It hurts not getting to do the things you love but in life, it has to be that way sometimes. This situation is very serious and as life will teach us there are things more important. We teach our athletes about sacrifice at every practice. This, unfortunately, just happens to be a very serious real-world application of what we teach them every day.”
Cody Fudge
“I think 2021 will be an exciting season. We will be playing in a new classification with what I feel will be a strong senior class. It will be exciting for us to see how well we can play and overcome the disappointment of this last season. I’m just looking forward to the season as a whole. There will also be new teams for us to play against. We will still play some of the local favorites but our conference will be brand new.”
Zayne Dugan
Mansfield Tigers
Photos courtesy of Michele Ann Elmore and Joanna James
As the world struggles to continue a normal life amid the COVID-19 outbreak, high school sports programs and activities take a crushing blow. With Arkansas schools deciding to stay closed for the remainder of the school year, the Arkansas Activities Association saw it best to follow suit and just like that, spring sports would be no more. As hearts from all over the state broke, it was the players who took the hardest hit with seniors being affected the worst. As the realization continues to set in for these seniors that they will not be heading back to the track or field to finish their high school careers, Resident Press Sports along with the incredibly supportive coaches would like to say our own goodbyes to the players of spring 2020.
Seth Hunt
Waldron Bulldogs baseball head coach, Mark Brigance, gives his take on this season and the next. The Bulldogs never got the chance to hit the field for a conference game but they did manage to get five games under their belt. With an overall record of 4-1, Waldron was on fire and looking to take over their division. Their four wins came from Mena, Foreman, Genoa Central, and Hackett, and their lone loss stemmed from Horatio, proving the Bulldogs’ successful dirt domination every time they hit the field. “The key senior talent that will be lost from the 2020 Bulldogs team are Seth Hunt, Payton Brown, Ruben Valdez, and Angelo Bandin.”
Ruben Valdez
“Seth played both pitcher and shortstop. Payton played catcher and pitcher. Ruben started more than half of last year’s season and all of this year at second base. And Angelo is a newcomer to baseball and is a reserve outfielder. These players are very talented and will be missed immensely by the program. Seth has committed to playing at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville after high school and Payton committed to playing basketball at UAFS in the fall. These two will move on and be extremely busy and not have much time to think about their lost season.However, no athlete wants to lose their senior season.”
Payton Brown
“These losses to the program will be difficult to fill. Drake Carnley will come back as a senior and hold down shortstop just fine. The pitching department is where we will be hit the hardest with two outstanding pitchers leaving us. But stepping up to fill those shoes next year will be Jayden “Catfish” McConnell who has pitched two years of varsity innings and Braden Williams who was the catcher for most of the 2019 season so he will be leading the team from behind the plate. Williams, Caden Fuller, Patrick Poor, and Matthew Brigance will be the brigade called upon to get players out.”
Braden Williams
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on schools and school athletics. Although the coaches can handle the abrupt ending to the season the best, it’s our players who are taking the worst of it. They are always ready to play which is the upside to being young and having a competitive spirit. If there is anything that I can tell my players to help them cope with this pandemic, is that life moves forward. Having a family and spending time with them has been a huge positive from this life-changing event. One day, many of these players will get married and have a family of their own and they will get to see what a special blessing this really is.”
Jayden McConnell
“Although next year’s baseball season can’t come soon enough for all of us in the Bulldog program, we know that once a season is over it hurts. But for things to end this way, it hurts even worse for our players. Thank you to all of our players but more importantly our seniors for always working hard to get us to the next best thing!”
Patricia Ann (Slater) Maxell of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Friday, April 10, 2020, in Waldron, Arkansas with her loving family by her side. Patricia was born January 4, 1972, to LeeRoe “Goat” Slater and Nova (Wright) Slater in Mena, Arkansas.
Patricia was a member of Waldron Pentecostal Church of God in Waldron, Arkansas.Patricia was a hardworking woman. She loved her children and her grandchildren were the loves of her life. She enjoyed spending time with all of her family. The extended family although large, were even bigger in her heart. She had a smile and a hug for everyone. Patricia’s warmth and compassion lives on in those that knew her.
Patricia leaves behind to cherish her memory, one son, Joshua Slater and wife Eugenia of Waldron, Arkansas and one daughter, Ashley Maxell and Travis Morris of Elkins, Arkansas. Nana will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Matthew Tegtmeyer, Cherish Rhinehart, Robert Rhinehart, Levi Slater and Sophia Morris. Patricia is also survived by two brothers, Robert Slater and wife Katy, David Slater and wife Brandy and one sister, Sandra Norris all of Waldron. Patricia will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, friends and loved ones near and dear to her heart.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Goat and Nova Slater.
Patricia’s life celebration will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2020 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Konnor McKay officiating. Graveside service and interment will be in the Lamb Cemetery near Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
During these trying and difficult times, we must limit public gatherings to 10 persons in our funeral home and do our part to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Family and friends are welcome to attend the service but must remain in their vehicles. Therefore, Patricia’s life celebration will be livestreamed on the link by Services on her webpage and the graveside service can be heard from the comfort of your vehicle at radio station 87.9 FM. The graveside service will be available for viewing online the following day on Patricia’s obituary page at www.heritagememorialfh.com.
Honorary pallbearers will be Travis Morris, Ethan Slater, Matthew Tegtmeyer, Richard Maxell, Bobby Joe Slater, Sam Slater, and Jared Wagner.
Family and friends you may use the link below to sign Patricia’s guest register and it will be printed and placed in her guest register the family will receive. Registry for Patricia Maxell
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia Ann Maxell, please visit our floral store.
After fleeing from law enforcement officers over an estimated 20-mile stretch of highway, Justin Battenfield, 34, of Van Buren died as his vehicle left the roadway in a crash along the 72-hundred block of Arkansas Highway 255 in Fort Smith earlier today. An Arkansas State Police patrol car was involved in the crash leaving one trooper injured.
At approximately 6:30 AM, an officer of the U.S. Forest Service initiated a pursuit of a southbound vehicle on U.S. Highway 71. The officer had reportedly witnessed the vehicle fail to stop for a traffic signal and pass through the intersection along the highway shoulder.
As a Sebastian County sheriff’s deputy joined the pursuit, Battenfield reversed direction, traveling northbound along U.S. 71 where state troopers took the lead in the pursuit north of the Witcherville community.
Moments before 7 AM Battenfield, still fleeing from federal, state, and county law enforcement officers, turned his vehicle eastbound onto Arkansas Highway 255 where he encountered an Arkansas State Trooper who attempted to stop the vehicle by means of a Precision Immobilization Technique. The maneuver led to the trooper’s patrol car and Battenfield’s vehicle leaving the roadway and overturning.
The trooper has been hospitalized in Little Rock with non-life threatening injuries.
The Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division and Special Agents of the Criminal Investigation Division are continuing their investigation.
Imodel Joy Franklin of Parks, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Monday, April 6, 2020, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Imodel was born December 28, 1929, in Parks, Arkansas to Fred Hawkins and Nellie Goolsby Hawkins. She was 90 years old.
Imodel was married to the love of her life, Thurman J. Franklin for 64 years before he went to Heaven to await her revival. They had a cattle farm and loved being outdoors. She enjoyed being at home with her family. She loved taking care of her family and looked forward to all the time she got to spend with each of them.
Imodel leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children: Dwayne Frankln, Argie Nell Nichols and Nathan Franklin. Imodel will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives were impacted by her including her grandchildren, great grandchildren, many friends, neighbors and loved ones.
Imodel was preceded in death by her husband Thurman Franklin, her parents, Fred and Nellie Hawkins, and two brothers.
Imodel’s private graveside life celebration was held Thursday, April 9, 2020, at the Hawkins Cemetery in Parks, Arkansas with interment following.
Family and friends of Mrs. Franklin you may use the link below to sign Ms. Franklin’s guest register and it will be printed and placed in her guest register the family will receive. Registry for Imodel Franklin
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Imodel Joy Franklin, please visit our floral store.
Times may appear to not be the best, but there is still good in these times. Be the change the world needs, the smile, the uplifting voice, the positivity, and the motivation to seek goodness.
By Tracy Courage, U of A System Division of Agriculture
Strawberry season has arrived and with it a whole new way of purchasing farm goods. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, farmers are finding ways to deliver their goods while minimizing contact between customers.
Many roadside farm stands are offering drive-thrus, where customers can purchase fresh produce without leaving their vehicles. Other stands offer pre-order and delivery options, and some are packaging the produce in advance to minimize handling.
Barnhill Orchards in Lonoke, for example, shifted its operation from a farm stand to a drive-through. Customers can either order online and pick up curbside, or they can order on-site from a menu of produce offerings. With a quick pop of the trunk, produce is loaded into buyers’ vehicles.
On March 26, the state Secretary of Health issued a directive prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people in any confined indoor or outdoor space. Outdoor food markets are exempt because they are considered critical in ensuring Arkansans have access to healthy food options. At this time, farmers’ markets can sell food products and limited personal hygiene items like soap and handmade masks, but other crafts or goods are not to be sold. Cooking demonstrations, crafts, entertainment — and other activities that draw crowds — have been put on hold.
While many Arkansans are willing to wait a little longer in line for a flat of fresh strawberries, a few buyers have worried about food safety.
“I have had calls from people who want to know if it’s safe to buy locally grown food or fresh-picked produce – or any produce – that is handpicked,” said White County Extension Agent Sherri Sanders.
The answer, in short: yes.
“Locally grown produce is a benefit since it doesn’t have to go through so many handlers to get to the end-user,” Sanders said. “Our farmers already follow strict food safety requirements, long before COVID.”
Strawberries are one of the more labor-intensive crops because they must be handpicked and hand-packed.
“Based on what we know about how the virus is spread, consumers should understand that it is unlikely that you would contract COVID-19 by eating produce that has been touched by someone,” said Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez, assistant professor and food systems and safety specialist.
Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. Currently, there is no evidence to support the transmission of COVID-19 associated with food, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, it is now known that the virus can survive on a surface for two to three days, and the surface type can affect the time of survival. It is important to follow good hygiene practices, such as washing your hands after handling food products, and double efforts to clean and sanitize surfaces that have come into contact with food packaging.
All fruits and vegetables should be washed with cool water. Additionally, cooking produce eliminates the need for worry as well, though half of fresh strawberries and blackberries are eaten raw.
Some guidelines for when you visit farmers markets and roadside stands:
Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
Ask your local producer about pre-order and delivery options to minimize time out in public.
Avoid touching your face until you are able to wash your hands.
Clean and sanitize surfaces that come into contact with food packaging.
