Arkansas Master Gardener Program

Started in 1988 in 4 counties (Garland, Jefferson, Pulaski, and Saline) and 40 members, the Arkansas Master Gardener Program now:

has 3427 volunteers in 67 counties
reported 73,555 education hours and 128,994 service hours in 2021

U of a division of agriculture master gardener logo

Master Gardener Mission Statement

As horticultural trained volunteers, Master Gardeners extend research-based information through demonstration and educational programs using horticulture best practices, strengthening communities and families throughout Arkansas.

Online Reporting System

To report your volunteer hours in the NEW MG online reporting system, please contact your county online reporting manager. You may have received an email from your county online reporting manager.

Please review that email before you log into the new online reporting system.

Enter Volunteer Hours

How do I become a Master Gardener?

Arkansas master gardeners work in a garden

Arkansas Master Gardeners volunteer hundreds of hours annually to local projects.

The first step is to contact your local county extension office to see if a program is in your county and when the next available training will be. See our full list of county extension offices.

The University of Arkansas Master Gardeners sponsor events in a wide range of activities including educational seminars and workshops, youth gardening programs, plant therapy work with hospitals and nursing homes, community beautification projects all helping to disseminate horticulture information. Annual plant sales are a great way to educate the public on the right plant for the right location.

Learn More About Master Gardeners

Scholarship Opportunities

Janet B. Carson County Scholarships

The 2023 Janet B. Carson County Scholarship

Application Deadline: January 15, 2023

The County Scholarship is open to any Arkansas Master Gardener program. County 76 Master Gardeners support UA master gardener programs through the Janet B. Carson County Scholarship. Scholarships are funded through County 76 silent auction proceeds as well as private donations and may be awarded in amounts of up to $750.00. Proposals must include an educational component that affects the county's service area. An active master gardener with the approval of his/her local master gardener program may apply with only one application accepted per county program per year. Preference will be given to innovative projects that affect the start-up of a new project or a new component added to an existing project.

Janet B. Carson County Scholarship Application Link

Janet B. Carson High School Senior Scholarships

The 2023-2024 Janet B. Carson Student Scholarship

Application Deadline: March 10, 2023

For the Student Scholarship, we ask you to share the Scholarship information with individuals that work with Arkansas high school seniors who will be attending an Arkansas College or University and who plan to major in a plant science related field.

Janet B. Carson High School Senior Application Link

If you have any questions concerning either of these scholarships, please send an email to mg@uada.edu.

Master Gardener Award Nomination Forms

The 2022 MG Award documents are available for use. The award nomination documents have been sent to MG Program Presidents and County Agents. Please contact your Master Gardener President or County Extension Agent for these nomination documents. Click here for more information.

Arkansas Master Gardener State Conference

The University of Arkansas Master Gardeners hold an annual state conference which is hosted and coordinated by a different local program each year. This three day event provides Master Gardeners the opportunity to participate in workshops, seminars, garden tours, and allows them to connect with other Master Gardeners from across the state.

County Program Contact Information