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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

University of Arkansas Family and Consumer Sciences Logo

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.  

 
University of Arkansas Strong Women and Men Logo

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

 
University of Arkansas Walk Across Arkansas Logo

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.

 

Jars of home canned vegetables, University of Arkansas Logo, Title Food Preservation 101

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 Logo

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 Logo

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!

Dish of couscous with vegetables

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?

 
Woman sitting at computer and holding credit card

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. 

 

Gate in Garden, blue sky, small rabbit on path

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!

 
The Best Care Logo

The Best Care

Don't miss out on all the training opportunities and resources available to child care providers! All child care training programs are offered free of charge by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education and the Traveling Arkansas' Professional Pathways (TAPP) registry.

Receive up to 10 hours of free verified child care provider training through participation in The Best Care training held at locations throughout the state.

Guiding Children Successfully Logo

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 Homemaker's Logo

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. 

 

 

Group Picture of Carroll County Master Gardeners

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. 
 
Check out some of our Sanctioned projects  where volunteers earn hours. 
 
If you are interested in becoming a member of our team,

Garden with vegetables growing, white farm house in background

 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. 

Yellow apples growing on tree

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

Landscape of rock and pretty purple flowers

 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.  

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!!!

I am Arkansas 4-H

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.

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