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Extension Educational Programs & Services
Lonoke County, Arkansas

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.

Students at Ward Central learn hygiene at Germ City

Family and Consumer Science - Raising Kids, Eating Right, Spending Smart, Living Well

The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program in Lonoke County offers instruction in healthy living practices, financial management, family relationships, child care, and community involvement. Contact Stephanie Prince, FCS agent at the Lonoke County office – 501-676-3124 for more information.. 

Photo:  Students at Ward Central Elementary School learn proper hand washing while participating in the Germ City interactive program.

There's a link between nutrition, physical activity, and the well-being of individuals and families. The typical Arkansas diet has too much fat and added sugar but does not include enough fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains. This diet, in conjunction with too little physical activity contributes to the development of serious health problems. Extension offers a variety of programs to address this and other health related  issues.

  • Cook Smart, Eat Smart - multi-session, hands-on cooking school that focuses on the various methods of meal preparation
  • Diabetes Education - focuses on preparing meals for those with diabetes
  • Food Preservation - classes in preserving food at home including water-bath, pressure canning, freezing, and drying
  • Food Safety - preventing cross-contamination of bacteria in the home setting
  • Strong Women and Men Strength Training - strength training program designed for midlife and older women and men that focuses on strengthen muscles for better mobility.  This is a 12 week program that meets 3 times a week.
  • Medicine Ball Strength Training - similar to Strong Women and Men but participants work with medicine balls.
  • Walk Across Arkansas -  takes place twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.  Participants form teams and track the time spent in physical activity with a focus on waking to develop healthy habits of physical activity.
  • Fit in 10 - research based physical activity program that focuses on being active as we age.  A series of lessons on the four major types of activity needed: balance, endurance, strength, and stretching. 
  • Endless Gardening - teaches ways to make gardening enjoyable at any age.

 

Family life is full of challenges, but when we make wise choices, it is also rewarding. We offer a number of programs designed for every stage of family life that will make your family life more effective and satisfying.

 

In today's world there are a number of challenges that affect our financial wellness. We offer instruction in everything from identity theft and avoiding scams to spending plans and debtor education. Navigating the Financial Journey - learn the basics of successful financial management, budget management, money management, wise use of credit, and consumer protection

  • Stretch Your Dollars - learn how to make the most of every dollar, workshops and financial tools provide you with skills needed to manage your expenses and maintain your spending plan.
  • Small Steps to Health and Wealth - a national Cooperative Extension program designed to help you reach personal finance and health goals.
  • Financial Smart Start for Newlyweds - educational series designed to help couples gain financial management skills.  
  • Get Real Here's the Deal (upper teens) - a money manage hands-on simulation for teens
  • Debtor Education referrals

 

A partnership between the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (UACES), the Arkansas Department of Health & Human Services, and the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.  The SNAP-Ed program provides nutrition education to food stamp recipients and other eligible low-income individuals and families including Head Start programs, senior citizen centers, commodity distribution sites, and public schools where 50% or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced price lunch.

  • School programs
    • Pre-School - K
      • Color Me Healthy - program for 4-5 year students with fun, interactive learning opportunities on physical activity and healthy eating.
      • Food, Fun and Reading - learn about food and nutrition by reading children's storybooks with food-related themes and then participate in hands-on nutrition activities.
      • Germ City - learn about proper hand washing with this interactive structure
      • Serving Up My Plate - an inquiry-driven curriculum which helps students develop a lasting awareness of what it means to be healthy.
      • Farm to You - an interactive exhibit that follows food from the farm to the market and through the body.
      • Grow It, Try It, Like It - garden-themed nutrition education kit for child care center staff that introduces children to fruits and vegetables
    • Elementary
      • OrganWise Guys - utilizes multiple tools to teach healthy eating and physical activity practices using the OrganWise Guys characters.
      • Food, Fun and Reading - learn about food and nutrition by reading children's storybooks with food-related themes and then participate in hands-on nutrition activities.
      • Fight Bac - teaches food safety using experiments to help children discover the science behind food safety.
      • Serving Up My Plate - an inquiry-driven curriculum which helps students develop a lasting awareness of what it means to be healthy.
      • Farm to You - an interactive exhibit that follows food from the farm to the market and through the body.
      • Eating from the Garden - nutrition and gardening activities to help increase consumption of fruits and vegetables.
    • Middle School
      • Fight Bac -  teaches food safety using experiments to help children discover the science behind food safety.
      • Nutrition Essentials - a series of lessons helps teens make healthful eating and physical activity choices.
      • Power of Choice - interactive learning program with messages and activities to help guide preteens toward healthier lifestyles
      • Serving Up My Plate and Farm to You above can be used through the sixth grade.
  • Adult Programs
    • Cook Smart, Eat Smart - teaches healthy cooking techniques and focuses on simple ingredients and limited use of prepared foods.
    • Eating Smart, Being Active - raises awareness about the importance of eating well on a limited income and provides tools for positive change in eating, shopping and food preparation behaviors.
    • Healthy Weight Program - focuses on choosing a sensible, balanced diet that fits the individual's lifestyle, walking regularly for exercise, and making lifelong behavioral changes.
    • Right Bite Exhibit/Newsletter Series - table top educational displays and accompanying newsletter with topics related to dietary quality, physical activity, and food safety.  
    • Chef Charles - designed for adults, 60 years of age or older, who participate in congregate meals.

 

Lonoke County has a very active Extension Homemakers organization. The mission of the Extension Homemakers organization shall be to empower individuals and families to improve their quality of living through continuing education, leadership development, and community service. This group contributed over 9000 hours of volunteer service in 2012. Listed below are the active Extension Homemaker Clubs in the county. If you are interested in becoming involved in one of them or if you know a group that would like to start a new club, contact Stephanie Prince at the Lonoke County Extension Office.

 

    • England EHC meets the 3rd Monday of the month at the England Community Building at 2:00 pm
    • Lonoke EHC meets the 4th Monday of the month at various locations at 6:00 pm
    • The Quilters EHC meets the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Extension Office at 6:00 pm
    • Sylvania Tri-Community EHC meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Old Austin Methodist Church at 10:00 am
    • Woodlawn EHC meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at Woodlawn Community Center at 1 pm

 

man scouting rice field

Lonoke County Agricultural Programs

The Agricultural division of the Lonoke County Extension Service offers a variety of educational and service programs in a variety of areas.  For more information on the agriculture educational programs or services contact Keith Perkins at the Lonoke County Office.

Photo: Scouting of rice fields is just one of the many services provided by the Lonoke County Agricultural team.

 

  • Service Programs
    • Soil Testing
    • N-ST*R rice and wheat
    • Plant disease diagnosis/SBR
    • Row Crop cultural programs
      • Irrigation (Scheduler & Faucett)
      • Variety selection
      • Nematodes
    • Row crop fertility programs
    • Poultry litter testing - manure
    • Plant ID
    • Nematode diagnostic
    • Abandoned pesticide collection program
    • Well water quality testing
    • N-ST*R rice and wheat
  • Educational Programs
    • Pesticide Applicator Training
    • Farmer market development and management
    • Weed resistance management
    • Insect resistance management
    • Disease resistance management

  • Service Program
      • Soil testing
      • Forage testing
      • Poultry litter testing - manure
      • Plant ID
      • Plant disease diagnosis/SBR
      • Forage Fertilization
      • Beef and Dairy Rations
      • Abandoned pesticide collection program
      • Well water quality testing
  • Education Programs
    • Pesticide Applicator Training
    • Cow Herd Improvement
    • Pasture insect control
    • Cattle insect control
    • Weed and brush control program
    • Farm financial management

  • Service Programs
    • Soil Testing
    • Poultry litter testing - manure
    • Plant disease diagnosis/SBR
    • Plant ID
    • Nematode
    • Abandoned pesticide collection program
    • Well water quality testing
    • Strawberry plant petiole analysis
    • Fruit and vegetable plant disease diagnosis
    • Fruit and vegetable fertility programs
    • Market master program
    • Tri-County pecan production
  • Educational Programs
    • Pesticide Applicator Training
    • Plasticulture guidelines
    • Fruit and vegetable cultural practices
    • Insect resistance program

  • Community development landscaping projects
    • Lonoke County Courthouse
    • Cabot City Library
    • Scott Plantation
    • Cabot Senior Center
    • Open Arms Shelter
    • Cabot Community Center
    • Kelsey Memorial
    • Lonoke County Extension Service
  • Interested in becoming a Master Gardener, contact the Lonoke County Extension Office.

For current extension research click the area of interest.

  • Service Programs
    • Soil Testing
    • Plant disease diagnosis/SBR
    • Plant ID
    • Well water quality testing
    • Small herd goat and sheep rations
  • Educational Programs
    • Lawns and gardens
    • House pests
    • Small flock poultry production
    • Small herd goat and sheep production
    • Small herd pig production
 

 

Examples of Agricultural services offered

Lonoke County services offered

Other agricultural services offered by Lonoke county:  Arkansas offers many testing and diagnostic services to its residents and farmers, most are free of charge.  N-ST*R is a soil based N test that quantifies the amount of N that will become available to the rice crop during the growing season  (260 acres tested).  Strawberry monitoring:  This service assists in monitoring nutritional status and correcting deficiencies.  This not only ensures that yield and quality are optimized but protects against applying excess nutrients in the environment and incurring unnecessary expense.  (10 kits submitted).

Photo: Other Agriculture Services offered by Lonoke County)  

 

Soil samples submitted in 2016

Types of soil samples submitted by Lonoke County

Lonoke county submitted the following soil samples in 2016: Rice - 922 samples (420,087 acres); Corn - 433 samples (34, 940 acres); Soybeans - 365 samples (13,203 acres); Lawn and Garden: 619 samples (35,342 acres); Other:  97 samples (1,382 acres). 

Photo: Types of soil samples submitted by Lonoke County.

 

       

 

Leadership logo

Lonoke County Community Development Programs

Lonoke County citizens take responsibilities, duties, and obligations seriously.  The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service responds to our clientele needs by offering programs such as Lonoke Leadership and LeadAR to recognize potential local, county, and state leaders.

Urgent public issues are researched by the Public Policy Institute to produce non-biased ballot issue publications.  Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center provides assistance to county businesses in securing contracts with state, regional, and national vendors who supply government agencies. Local and county leaders are given resources on demographic changes, tax revenue trends, per capita income shifts, and regional comparisons of taxation and revenues.  

 

  • LeadAR
  • Lonoke Leadership
  • Public Policy Development
  • Ballot Issues
  • Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center
  • Rural Profiles of Arkansas
  • Revenue Trends of Arkansas Government
  • County Fire Ant Education and Demonstrations
  • County Demographics/Quorum Court Districts and Demographics
  • GIS/GPS Educational Support to County and Cities
Lonoke County 4-H youth with poster

Lonoke County 4-H Youth Development

Lonoke County Extension Service reaches youth ages 5-19 through the 4-H youth development program. 4-H members are involved with projects in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), citizenship, leadership, and healthy lifestyles, as well as a variety of other educational programs and activities. To learn more about becoming a 4-H leader or volunteer, or about 4-H programming, contact the Lonoke County Extension Office – 501-676-3124.

Photo:  4-H youth with informational poster

4-H Clubs are organized groups of boys and girls who elect officers and are supported by adult volunteer leaders.  The 4-H club conducts meetings and activities throughout the year.  Club meetings typically include the conducting of some business by the officers, an educational program, and a team building or recreational activity.  Clubs frequently include opportunities for leadership and community service/service learning.

  • Community Clubs offer multiple learning experiences and activities. Community clubs meet regularly to conduct a business meeting, address county 4-H requests and community issues, and provide an educational program.  Each member can select his or her own project to work on outside of club meetings.  Lonoke county has 6 community clubs, two county-wide clubs, three special-interest groups, and two in-school clubs, for a total of 285 members.
  • Project Clubs and Special Interest Groups offer one project area to work within through multiple learning experiences and activities. These clubs meet regularly, conduct a business meeting, address any county 4-H requests and community issues and then focus on one project that the entire membership experiences together.

Lonoke County New Member Packet

Lonoke County 4-H offers a variety of activities to give all youth an opportunity to get involved.  Below is a list of county, district and state activities available to 4-H members.

COUNTY LEVEL:

4-H Cooks
Ross Photography
Day Camps:
     Shooting Sports – Basic, Advanced
     4-H Cloverbud
     4-H Junior
     Sewing – Basic, Intermediate, Advanced
     Fun in the Kitchen
     Babysitting Basics
O-Rama:
     Illustrated Talks & Demonstration
     Bicycle
     Bait Casting
     BB Gun
     Fashion Revue
     Performing Arts
     Wildlife
     Crop and Weed Identification
County Fair

DISTRICT LEVEL:

O-Rama - open to 4-H members ages 9-19
4-H Horseshow
Southeast District Fair

STATE LEVEL:

Camps:
     Adventure & Challenge
     Forestry & Wildlife
     Career Camp
     Equine Camp
     Junior Camp
     Cloverbud Camp
     STEM Camp
State O-Rama:
     Same events as County O-Rama
     Livestock Judging
     Poultry Judging
     Interior Design
     Parliamentary Procedure
     ATV Safety
Trips:
     High Adventure
     Citizenship ... Washington Focus
     National 4-H Conference
     National 4-H Congress

Leadership Opportunities:
Camp Leadership Workshop
Teen Leader Conference
State 4-H Ambassador
4-H Teen Star
Arkansas 4-H State Officer

4-H In School Clubs are utilized in an attempt to reach youth that may not be involved with 4-H due to time, transportation, or other reasons. School Clubs meet once a month in their classrooms, conduct a brief business meeting, then engaged in an educational program and recreation.

2018-2019 Lonoke County 4-H In School Clubs

  • Lonoke Elementary 4th grade classes
  • Carlisle High School Agriculture classes
  • Lonoke High School Agriculture classes

A School Enrichment project is a cooperative effort between a school and the Lonoke County Cooperative Extension Service.  Members participate in an education program planned and coordinated by Extension staff in cooperation with school officials to supplement and compliment the school curriculum.  For more information on bringing 4-H into your school or classroom, contact the Lonoke County Extension Office – 501-676-3124.

 Successful 4-H School Enrichment Programs:

  • Farm Safety Day
  • 4-H STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
  • Agriculture Literacy
  • Financial Literacy
  • Leadership and Team Building
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