The National Science Foundation has given a $750,000 grant to the University of Arkansas’ Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R) to fund a project designed to connect regional farmers

• Healthy intentions: the project is designed to connect regional farmers with institutional buyers and ultimately expand access to healthy and nutritious food. The project brings Division of Agriculture researchers together with colleagues from the U of A and University of Florida, including two startups, Cureate and Junction AI Inc.
• End game: The project team ultimately will create a scalable technology platform that provides market insights to small farmers via the convergence of multiple scientific research fields and modern technological innovations such as robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

You can read more about the store by Talk Business & Politics HERE.

Celebrating its 150th year, the City of Bentonville has taken a step in preserving and remembering this history by opening a museum dedicated to the History of Bentonville.

• Blast to the past: This Saturday from 1-4p the Bentonville History Museum will open its doors welcoming the public to go back in time as it celebrates the young and the old.
• Tour of history: Located in Bentonville’s former Train Depot, the Museum aims to preserve the past 150 years for the future with collections, education, and displays for locals and visitors alike.

Learn more about the grand opening HERE.

The Arvest Opportunity Fund was launched across Arvest’s four-state footprint in August. As of Jan. 6, the Arvest Opportunity Fund has delivered more than $1.2 million in small business loans.

• Sub loan requirements: The Opportunity Fund is a wholly owned non-bank subsidiary providing loans and lines of credit. The loan requires recipients also receive financial education coaching for 12 months after funding.
• Leg-up: The financial education program, delivered by professional educators and community partners, is designed to improve the financial standing of recipients to the point where they can eventually meet traditional bank lending standards.

You can read more about the Opportunity Fund HERE.

With its original location in Siloam Springs, So Chill Eat - asian kitchen cuisine with a mix of Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese will open in a few locations this year

• Next in line: Landing a spot in Rogers at Pleasant Grove, they will be opening their doors on January 30th. The menu consists of a little bit of everything: curry's, wok mixes, ramen, pho, and sushi, with vegan and gluten free options.
• Rolled up: According to the website, the third location will be Springdale sometime this year, but no locations or dates have been announced.

Read more about So Chill Eat's expansion plans HERE.

Ozark Mountain Music Festival, or OzMoMu, kicks off this week in Eureka Springs - bringing with it American Roots and Modern Folk to the Ozarks.

• Encore: Performances begin Thursday evening and continue for four days on multiple stages at the 1905 Basin Park Hotel with late night and morning music being held at nearby venues.
• Stage of its own: What makes this festival unique is that its the only outdoor festival held indoors. One of the venues is an old speakeasy cave - 'Down the Rabbett Hole'. There are themed nights, hotel door decorating contest, and yoga with mimosas.

Learn more about the OzMoMu Festival HERE.