Arkansas Master Gardener Program

Started in 1988 in 4 counties (Garland, Jefferson, Pulaski, and Saline) and 40 members, the Arkansas Master Gardener Program now:

  • has over 3599 volunteers covering 65 counties
  • reported 93,175 education hours and 184,443 service/work hours in 2025

U of a division of agriculture master gardener logo

Master Gardener Mission Statement

As horticultural trained volunteers, Master Gardeners extend research-based information through demonstration and educational programs using horticulture best practices, strengthening communities and families throughout Arkansas.

Online Reporting System

To report your volunteer hours in the MG online reporting system, please contact your county online reporting manager.  You may have received an email from your county online reporting manager. 

Please review the email before you log into the new online reporting system.  

Enter Volunteer Hours

How do I become a Master Gardener?

Arkansas Master Gardeners volunteer hundreds of hours annually to local projects.

The first step is to contact your local county extension office to see if a program is in your county and when the next available training will be.  See our full list of county extension offices.

The University of Arkansas Master Gardeners sponsor events in a wide range of activities including educational seminars and workshops, youth gardening programs, plant therapy work with hospitals and nursing homes, community beautification projects all helping to disseminate horticulture information. Annual plant sales are a great way to educate the public on the right plant for the right location.

Become a Master Gardener!

Scholarship Opportunities

Janet B. Carson County Sanctioned Project Scholarships

County 76 Master Gardeners support UA Master Gardener programs through the Janet B. Carson County Scholarship.  Scholarships are funded through County 76 silent auction proceeds as well as private donations and may be awarded in amounts of up to $1,000. 

Preference will be given to innovative projects that affect the start-up of a new project, or a new, creative component added to an existing project.  Proposals must include an educational component that affects the county’s service area. 

All applications will be scored based on:  Innovation, Goals, Purpose, Education, Use of Funds, Continuation, inclusion of Budget, and source of additional funding.

Application deadline for the county sanctioned scholarship is Feburary 15, 2027. 

Janet B. Carson County Sanctioned Project Scholarship Application Form


2026-2027 Academic Year Janet B. Carson High School Senior Scholarship

High School Scholarship Description: This is a $2,000 scholarship to assist an Arkansas high school senior in the pursuit of a post-secondary degree at an Arkansas college or university in a plant science related field, including but not limited to horticulture, botany, agronomy, forestry, plant science, landscape architecture/design, and turf management.

Application deadline for the high school scholarship is March 15, 2027.  

Janet B. Carson High School Senior Scholarhip Application Form

If you have any questions concerning either of these scholarships, please send an email to C76Scholarships@gmail.com

 

Scholarship Winners


2026 County Sanctioned Project Scholarship Winners

  • Benton County $1000

    • Benton County Master Gardeners’ Project
      Helping Hands - The Learning GArden for Children of All Ages

  • Garland County $647.88
    • Garland County Master Gardener Project
      Youth Activities - Park Magnet Elementary
  • Howard County $285.00
    • Howard County Master Gardeners
      Cold Frame - Community Gardens
  • Monroe County $1000
    • Monroe County Master Gardener Project
      Brinkley Mustard Seed Community Garden
  • Sebastian County $1000
    • River Valley Master Gardener Project
      The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing, Inc.

2026-2027 High School Senior Scholarship Winners

 

Jameson Villines

Jameson Villines - Newton County

Innovation & Entrepreneurship 
with a minor in Horticulture U of A Fayetteville

Joshua Lands

Joshua Lands - Craighead County

Natural Resource Management: Forestry
U of A Monticello

 

Neil Kerperian

Neil Kerperian - Greene County

Plant & Soil Science at Arkansas State
University

Sernity Simmons

Serinity Simmons - White County

Agricultural Education at Arkansas State
University Beebe

 

Master Gardener Awards

The 2026 MG Award Nomination season is now open.  Deadline to submit nominations is January 15, 2027. 
Below are some helpful documents to review prior to filling out a nomination form.  

AR MG Awards Process and Deadlines

Checklist for AR MG Awards Nominations

How to Nominate a Master Gardener

 

 

The 2025 MG Award entries have been judged.  The 2025 Award Winners were presented their award at the 2026 MG State Conference. 
 View award winners!

Arkansas Master Gardener State Conference

The University of Arkansas Master Gardeners hold an annual state conference which is hosted and coordinated by a different local program each year. This three day event provides Master Gardeners the opportunity to participate in workshops, seminars, garden tours, and allows them to connect with other Master Gardeners from across the state.

Arkansas Master Gardener Resources