Looking for gardeners
Garland County Master Gardeners is an organization through the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service with 230 people from all walks of life that 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 term “Master Gardener” can be intimidating to some thinking that they are not experienced enough in horticulture to join the organization. Our members have joined with various experience levels from beginner to lifelong gardener, as well as various areas of interests in gardening.
They have been helping to beautify Hot Springs and Garland County for over 30 years and have reported over 14,000 hours of volunteer work and
8,600 educational hours annually. These volunteer hours provide an estimated value of over
$350,000 to our community for beautification.
Arkansas has more than
3,000 active Master Gardener volunteers from 67 counties. The individuals in the program and their commitment make the program interesting, and they make a huge difference in our state and in our Master Gardener Program. The Arkansas Master Gardener Program was started in 1988 in Pulaski, Jefferson, Garland, and Saline counties.
New 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.
There are two types of training offered for those who want to become a Master Gardener: inclass and online. In-class training for Garland County Master Gardeners is scheduled to start Thursday, Jan. 28, with the continuing training days on Feb. 4,
11, 18 and 25. The training starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. each day at the Garland County Fairgrounds.
Online training is available for those wanting to train at their own pace and time at home. The online training portal opens in early January and closes on March 31. In that time, a new member has to complete their required 40 hours of training. The application deadline for both in-class and online training is Nov. 30.
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.
Our monthly meetings are currently being held online due to COVID-19 regulations. The meetings occur on the third Thursday of each month at 12:30 p. m. Call the Extension Service office at 623-6841 or email adykes@uaex.edu for information on how to join in on the meetings.
Considering becoming a Master Gardener in 2021? Now is the time! Applications are available at the Cooperative Extension Service Office at 236 Woodbine, by calling 623-6841, or emailing Alex Dykes at adykes@uaex.edu.
Master Gardener information
Master Gardener meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month online. The meetings are open to the public, and guests are welcome. For more information, call the Extension Service office at 623- 6841 or email Alex Dykes at adykes@ uaex.edu.
EHC information
Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC, call 623-6841 or email Alison Crane at acrane@uaex.edu. Follow Alison on Facebook @garlandEGF and @Garland FCS, and EHC on Facebook @GarlandCountyEHC.
4-H information
For information about Garland County 4-H Club membership or program benefits, contact Carol Ann McAfee at the Garland County Cooperative Extension Service office, 236 Woodbine, call 501-623-6841, or email cmcafee@uaex.edu. More information is available at http:// www.uaex.edu/garland.