Agriculture Workshops Answers to questions and assistance are sought daily by Pope County farmers, ranchers, gardeners, and homeowners. Many producers take advantage of the various workshops, training opportunities, and conferences offered by our office so they can stay up-to-date on the ever changing agriculture industry. While some may only need to renew a private pesticide applicator license at our annual Pesticide Applicator Training classes, others participate in workshops such as our Winter Feeding Workshops and Row Crop Production Meetings. Many of these meetings allow for one-on-one discussion with fellow producers, state commodity specialists, and county extension agents. For more information on Agriculture services and programs offered in Pope County, contact the Pope County Extension Office. Photo: Arkansas Beef Herd Improvement Workshop (ABIP) participants listen intently to John Jennings during the forage session of the four-part workshop
Pope County Master Gardeners Pope County Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who serve the county through horticultural beautification, conservation, and education. The program relies on dedicated volunteers who have an interest in gardening and serving their communities. The “Master Gardener” title applies to one who has successfully completed a 40-hour training class and is actively pursuing (40) project hours and (20) learning hours as part of their volunteer commitment the first year. To maintain the designation of “Master Gardener” in subsequent years, an individual must acquire (20) project hours and (20) learning hours per year. For more information check out the Pope County Master Gardeners Facebook page! Statewide Master Gardener Resources
Arkansas Farm To You Russellville Elementary students learned about where food comes from and how their bodies digest it. Third and fourth grade students visited the Farm to You interactive exhibit Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving. They learned about where their food comes from and how it is processed and marketed. As part of this, they learn about the different foods grown in Arkansas. The exhibit also teaches the students how to make a healthy plate. In the walk through of the human body, youth learn how food moves through the body and that physical activity and personal hygiene are important for good health. For more information on this program, please contact the Pope County Extension Office. Photo: Youth learning about digestion that takes place inside the mouth.
Pope County 4-H Success Story! Jamie Lynch McMichael (pictured, left), a 4-H alumni from Pope County as well as a former 4-H State officer receives recognition in Palos Verde, New Mexico for sharing her 4-H story. Way to go, Jamie! Pope county is proud of you! (Article courtesy of the Palo Verde News.) By Jamie McMichael, 4-H Alumni from Pope County I grew up participating in 4-H in Arkansas. The 4-H is a U.S.-based network of youth organizations whose mission is “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.” The program from a national to local level offers so many opportunities to American youth. 4-H is not just an agriculture organization; the leadership, life skills and curriculum taught through this organization is second to none. 4-H also focuses on citizenship, healthy living, science, engineering and technology programs. I participated for 14 years as a youth in varying levels of activities and competitions, many of which were fully or partly paid for by donors to the 4-H clubs on a county level. After my time as a member concluded, I was able to work with the Arkansas state 4-H office for two summers as an intern, and this gave me an opportunity to realize what the state organization was able to do with donor funds, including providing more than 100 college scholarships. As my life journey continued, I was able to be a volunteer leader in both Florida and Arkansas, and see the true impact from an adult perspective of what this organization builds in the youth of tomorrow. Knowing what this organization taught and afforded me as a youth, I truly believe in this organization and that our youth are our future. This is why I donate through CSF to the 4-H Clubs of Maricopa County (#7019 in CSF Directory) to benefit the youth in our communities to have additional opportunities to reach their potential. Interesting fact. The 4-H name is a reference to the occurrence of the initial letter H four times in the organization's original motto ‘head, heart, hands, and health’ which was later incorporated into the fuller pledge officially adopted in 1927. To learn more about 4-H contact the Pope County Extension Office.