Extension Educational Programs & Services
Carroll County Programs
The Cooperative Extension Service offers a host of educational programs and services.
If you do not see what you are looking for below, please contact our county Extension
Office for assistance.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Spending Smart. Finding solutions for families. Raising responsible children. Exercising
and eating right. Communicating effectively. Life can be complicated.
Helping Arkansans enhance their quality of life through education is the goal of Family
and Consumer Sciences. We develop and deliver programs aimed at making life better,
healthier, and safer for individuals, families, and communities. We offer practical
and reliable research based information to help Arkansans improve their lives. Whether
the topic is aging, health, family life, money management, or food and nutrition,
the Family and Consumer Sciences team is committed to helping Arkansans find answers
that work.
StrongWomen & Men
The Strong Women & Men Program is a community-based strength training program targeted
to midlife and older Arkansans. Classes meet for an hour at least twice a week, and each session includes a warm-up,
8 to 10 strengthening exercises, and a cool-down. This program provides a supportive
group environment and is appropriate for all fitness levels. Strong Women & Men is
evidence-based, safe, structured, and affordable. It costs $12 for the whole year
and the only equipment you need is dumbbells and ankle weights.
Learn more about strength training programs.
Walk Across Arkansas
Invest in your health by participating in the new and improved "Walk Across Arkansas." The eight-week program was designed for all Arkansans to become active through exercise
while creating and meeting personal goals with team support. The WAA campaign is coordinated
by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service,
Family Consumer Sciences Department. We invite everyone to participate in activities
that will encourage movement and promote health. What will be required of me? To participate
in WAA, you will need: • a team of two to 10 people • a stopwatch, or watch • a team
captain • a team name • to set a personal goal • a good pair of walking shoes • a
willingness to record your exercise minutes each day.
Preserving Food Safely
The local foods movement and a desire to have lower sodium and lower-sugar foods is
breathing new life into an old favorite: canning. The number of people rediscovering
this method of preserving food is growing rapidly.
While you might remember canning with your mother or grandmother, new science has
provided needed changes to the canning process. Canners must use recipes that are
up-to-date. In fact, any recipe dated before 1990 should not be used. Recipes should
be from trusted sources and be scientifically tested to ensure they are safe to use.
Recipes that are included from jar manufacturers are deemed safe to use. You may also
find recipes from the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Dial pressure canner gauges should be tested yearly to confirm they are still correctly
calibrated. Weighted gauges do not need to be tested, but a yearly check of the sealing
components is required.
Still not quite sure where to get started? Check out this publication.
Need to brush up on your canning skills? Check out this video.
ReShape Yourself
Reshape Yourself healthy weight program targets behavior changes to help achieve and
maintain a healthy body. The program emphasizes a three-part approach to weight management:
choosing a sensible, balanced diet that fits individual lifestyles; engaging in regular,
enjoyable physical activity; and making long-term diet-related behavior changes.
If you are interested in starting a Reshape Yourself Workshop, please contact our office.
Cook Smart Eat Smart
The Cook Smart, Eat Smart Cooking School will teach you how to prepare simple, healthy
and delicious food for you and your family. Cook Smart, Eat Smart keeps it simple—simple
healthy preparation techniques, simple ingredients and simple equipment.
Learn more about Cook Smart Eat Smart
Interested in joining a Cook Smart Eat Smart School?
Contact us!
Mediterranean Cooking School
The Mediterranean diet is a lifestyle approach to healthy eating that includes a balanced
variety of foods and daily exercise. It is characterized by plant foods including
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans and nuts and uses olive oil as the
primary source of fat. But don't worry there are recipes that include, meats, cheese,
and seafood too.
Interested in setting up a Mediterranean Cooking School?
All About Credit
Credit can be a tool or a trap, depending upon how it is handled. Used well, credit
can be an asset that helps build wealth as part of a financial plan. Used unwisely,
credit can lead to excessive debt or even bankruptcy. It's important to learn to use
credit wisely.
Discover expert recommendations for managing credit.
The Marriage Garden
Cultivating a good marriage is like two people growing a healthy garden. To achieve
a full and satisfying harvest, the gardeners must work in harmony with one another,
using the right tools, gardening wisdom, and a willing spirit. The gardening process
teaches us vital – and sometimes painful – lessons about life. The struggle is worth
it: both good marriages and healthy gardens can enrich and delight us. But neither
happens by chance.
Let's break ground!
Guiding Children Successfully
Guiding Children Successfully (GCS) is a research-based child care training program
that strives to meet the foundation level training needs of early childhood professionals
across the state by offering up to 35 hours of TAPP verified training free of charge.
This self-guided training will help early childhood professionals apply child development
principles to appropriately teach and manage the children in their care. Providers
are welcome to request any of the publications featured in our training and distribute
them to the parents of the children in their care.
Get started with Guiding Children Successfully.
Arkansas Extension Homemakers
Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council (AEHC) empower individuals and families to improve
their quality of living through continuing education, leadership development, and
community service. Arkansas Extension Homemakers began work in 1912 in the state and
in 1923 in Carroll County. AEHC is a volunteer organization that numbers 6,000 strong
across the state! Members of AEHC in Carroll County volunteered many hours in 2013
at a value of approximately $66,000. To keep up to date with the events of AEHC, you can visit our blog. There are four Extension Homemaker's Clubs in Carroll County that provide a variety
of assistance to worthy causes
Busy Bee EHC - meets 2nd Saturday (daytime)
Cove EHC - meets 3rd Wednesday (daytime)
Domestic Divas EHC - meets 4th Tuesday (evening)
Grandview EHC - meets 3rd Thursday (daytime)
Country Chicks--meets 2nd Tuesday (evening)
If you are interested in becoming a member of Extension Homemaker's please contact
us.
Agriculture
Agriculture plays an important role in the economy of Carroll County. There are 1,089
farms in Carroll County with an average size of approximately 247 acres. Farmland
totals 268,833 acres with major crops of livestock and timber. Over the last twenty
years, the market value of crops sold in the county increased from $137 million to
$261 million. Farming is alive and well in Carroll County. We hope to be a resource
to farmers and homeowners providing research based information to help Carroll County
residents improve their economic well being and quality of life.
Carroll County Master Gardeners
People all over the county with horticultural skills, a willingness to learn and a
desire to help others become Master Gardeners. When the program was started their
role was primarily answering phone requests for gardening information and staffing
plant clinics. In recent years, Master Gardener work has diversified. Following a comprehensive training in horticulture, Master Gardeners have one year
from the end of training to complete the agreed upon volunteer hours.
If you are interested in becoming a member of our team,
Vegetables
Gardening is the most commonly listed leisure activity of American’s in the 21st Century. A well managed garden can offer a continuous supply of nutritious vegetables
and relaxation all year long. As we become aware of the benefits of vegetables to
our health and nutrition, gardening is one of the best ways to introduce the family
to better eating habits. Gardening has no boundaries except a desire to grow things.
The Garden may be as small as several pots or containers on a deck or as large as
an acre or more. Gardening is an activity that bridges the generations, start a garden
and grow a gardener.
Learn more about starting a home vegetable garden.
Fruits, Nuts & Berries
As for our fruit breeding, the University of Arkansas holds its own. We have many
varieties of blackberries, blueberries, grapes, peaches, nectarines, and strawberries
that have been developed to grow well in the environmental conditions of our area.
The breeding testing program continues today with emphasis on recommended fruit varieties
for our commercial fruit growers and homeowners.
Learn more about growing fruits, nuts, & berries
Trees, Shrubs, Flowers, Lawns
Trees, shrubs, ground cover, and flowers are an important part of any home. Most people
realize landscaping is used to improve the appearance and value of their home. Gardening
as a hobby is a great way to be creative, get exercise, and is a great outlet for
relieving stress.
Year Round Home Gardening Guides
Interested in 4-H? Carroll County 4-H would love to have you! There is no fee to join
4-H, and the sky is the limit!!!
What is 4-H? Most people think of farm animals or showing at the Carroll County Fair
when they hear someone say 4-H. Yes, farm animals are an important part of the Carroll
County 4-H Program, but 4-H has a lot more to offer.
4-H members have the opportunity to pick and choose projects that interest them. Members
learn through service learning, citizenship, public speaking, and setting goals for
the future. They also make new friends and strengthen old friendships.
Scholarship opportunities are available through the Record Book Program. 4-H can help
you grow in many ways and open new doors in the future.
Carroll County has a Community 4-H Club that meets every other month at St. Ann's
Catholic Church on Highway 62 East in Berryville. There are also clubs in your community.
Call the Carroll County Office at 870.423.2958 and ask to speak to the 4-H program
assistant to find out which club is near you.You can also go to Arkansas Register for 4-H Events to enroll.
There is never a fee to be a 4-H member.
