Looking for gardeners

Considering becoming a Master Gardener in 2019? Now is the time! Applications are available at the Cooperative Extension Office at 236 Woodbine.

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 who 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.

The Master Gardeners have been helping to beautify Hot

Springs and Garland County for the past 30 years and have reported 16,547 hours of volunteer work and 4,610 educational hours this past year. These volunteer hours provide beatification and education to our Garland County community.

The Arkansas Master Gardener program was started in 1988 in Pulaski, Jefferson, Garland and Saline counties. Currently, Arkansas has more than 3,400 Master Gardener volunteers from 67 counties. Master Gardeners and their commitment make the program interesting, and they make a huge difference in our state.

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.

The next Garland County Master Gardener training starts Jan. 31, 2019, with subsequent training days on Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28. Application deadline is Nov. 30, with interviews starting in December. The trainings start daily at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. 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. You are welcome to our monthly meeting at the Elks Lodge at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month to learn more and meet many of the Garland County Master Gardeners.

For information, call Allen Bates, county extension agent, agriculture, at 623-6841.

EHC

Interested in joining an Extension Homemakers Club? How about forming a new club in the community? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For more information, call the Extension office or email Alison Crane at acrane@uaex.edu.

4-H

If between the ages of 5 and 19, you can join 4-H. We have a club for you, or you and a group of friends can organize your own club. For information, call the Extension office or email lbates@ uaex.edu.