Looking for Gardeners

Hot Springs, Ark. – The Garland County Master Gardeners is an organization through the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service with about 200 people from all walks of life that share a common interest -- the love of gardening.  Master Gardeners are always eager to help others with horticulture and gardening problems, and their enthusiasm is contagious. 

They have been helping to beautify Hot Springs and Garland County for over 25 years and have reported 14,000 hours of volunteer work and 8,600 educational hours this past year.  These volunteer hours provide an estimated value of over $325,000 to our community for beautification. 

Arkansas has more than 3,000 active Master Gardener volunteers from 67 counties.  The individuals in the program and their commitment make the program interesting, and they make a huge difference in our State and in our Master Gardener Program.  The Arkansas Master Gardener Program was started in 1988 in Pulaski, Jefferson, Garland, and Saline counties. 

New Master Gardeners receive 40 hours of training in botany, soil science, plant propagation, pest management, pesticide and herbicide usage, vegetable and ornamental plant gardening, weed identification, pruning and other horticulture related subjects.  In exchange, Master Gardeners donate back to the community by maintaining a number of garden projects, answering questions, researching specific problems, planting educational and therapeutic gardens, providing public speakers and much more. 

Garland County Master Gardener training starts Thursday, January 28th, 2016 with the continuing training days on February 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th.  The trainings start at 8:00 A.M. and end at 4:00 P.M. each day.  Application deadline is November 30, 2015 with interviews starting in December.  

If you have a love for gardening, like to share your knowledge with people in the community, and have time to commit to the training as well as the required volunteer service, you would make a good Master Gardener.  

Come to our monthly meeting at the Elks Lodge on the third Thursday of October or November and meet many of the Garland County Master Gardeners and come by the Horticulture Building during the Garland County fair September 14th through the 19th to learn more.

Considering becoming a Master Gardener in 2016?  Now is the time! Applications are available at the Cooperative Extension Office at 236 Woodbine.  

Master Gardener Information

Master Gardener meetings are held on the 3^rd Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge.  They’re open to the public and guests are welcome.  For more information call the Extension Office at 623-6841 or 922-4703 or email Allen Bates at abates@uada.edu. 

4-H Information

There are several 4-H clubs for our Garland county youth who are 5 to 19 years old.  For more information on all the fun 4-H activities that are available for our youth, call Linda Bates at the Extension Office on 623-6841 or 922-4703 or email her at lbates@uada.edu. 

EHC Information

Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC contact Jessica Vincent on 623-684 or 922-4703 or email her at jvincent@uada.edu. 

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity institution.

By Allen Bates
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Allen Bates
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
236 Woodbine Hot Springs AR 71901
(501) 623-6841
abates@uada.edu

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.