Rockefeller Institute Tomato Workshop in Arkansas
By Michelle Fabio
On Saturday, June 28, the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute of the University of Arkansas will hold “From the Seed to the Plate,” a tomato workshop open to the public.
As part of the “Cultivate Your Wild Side” series of environmentally-focused workshops, the tomato day’s activities will include tasting ($5 entrance fee), cooking ($25), and learning to grow tomatoes ($15); all of the fun will take place in the Institute’s vegetable garden, which features 20 different types of tomatoes including the renowned heirloom.
Dr. David Hensley of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and Janet Carson of the university’s Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service will give tours of the gardens while Chef Rick Tankersley of Sysco Food Services will demonstrate tasty ‘mater recipes like tomato fritters and tomato pine nut soup.
You can also find some of the area’s premier “tomateers” like Petit Jean Honey, Petit Jean Foothills Nursery, Bloomin’ Baskets, and Heritage Seeds.
Other attractions include a tomato salsa sale with recipes from Rockefeller Institute executive chef Heather Welch and a Petit Jean Extension Homemakers Tomato Cookbook sale.
You can register for the tomato workshop by phone (501) 727-5435 or online. Go to “Educational Programs” and then select “Register Now” from the menu.
