'Pints & Plants' workshop series couples horticulture, brewing enthusiasm
March 23, 2026
By Ryan McGeeney
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- ‘Pints & Plants’ monthly workshops scheduled through December
- Events free to public
(308 words)
Download event flyer
FORT SMITH, Ark. — Throughout 2026, Zeb Gattis, Sebastian County horticulture agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, is using a shared love of brew and camaraderie to draw gardeners to public discussions on horticulture.
Gattis’ “Pints & Plants” workshop series has been offered monthly since December 2025, typically drawing 30-35 attendees to each gathering at Fort Smith Brewing Company. He said he originally got the idea from an ongoing project at a brewery in Fayetteville, which introduces home brewing enthusiasts to the horticultural underpinnings of their beloved beverages.
“It’s a cool little thing that gets people in to learn something new in a community atmosphere,” Gattis said. “As a horticulture agent, I’m primarily trying to teach people about lawns, trees and gardens. But I also want to do things that bring people together.
“A lot of the people who show up are pretty good friends with one another, but they don’t always have an excuse to hang out, so that’s what I’m trying to give them,” he said.
Gattis said that while the goals of the series aren’t specifically to promote brewing, most of his attendees have been gardeners with at least a peripheral interest in beer.
“Our first session was all about growing hops, mostly in the garden for anyone who wanted to start home brewing,” he said. “It was a novel idea to a lot of the people who showed up. At the end, the brewery owner brought out hops that he uses in brewing and let people smell and taste them.”
The next Pints & Plants workshop is scheduled for April 25 at 12:30 p.m. and will discuss aspects of landscape, fruit and bonsai trees. Future events will discuss flower arrangements, small berries, pumpkins and more. Each event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Gattis at zgattis@uada.edu.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Zeb Gattis at 479-484-7737 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact:
Ryan McGeeney
rmcgeeney@uada.edu
501-671-2120