The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing

09/05/2026

NEW! Just in time for fall!

Our long-sleeved Learning Fields T-shirts are now available! Show your support for The Learning Fields while staying cozy as cooler weather arrives.

S–XL: $25
2X: $27

These are sure to become your new favorite fall tee!

Contact Denise at (479) 883-3719 to arrange pickup and get yours today.

09/04/2026

Join us at Fort Smith Brewing Company for a fun-filled Wheel of Fortune Game Night on Friday, September 11 at 7:00 pm. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit The Learning Fields.

Come ready to play, have some fun, and support The Learning Fields. Prizes will be awarded throughout the game, and Fort Smith Brewing Company will have great food and your favorite beverages available to enjoy while you play.

Can’t make it to Game Night? You can still be part of the fun by making a donation to support The Learning Fields. Every contribution helps us continue growing beauty, knowledge, and community!

Tickets available at the door or go to https://www.thelearningfields.org/coming-soon to purchase a ticket or make a donation.

Gather your friends and make a night of it.
Play. Win. Have fun. Support.
We hope to see you there!

09/03/2026

ZEB GATTIS

1. When did you become a Master Gardener? (If you are not a Master Gardener, tell me how you became involved with The Learning Fields.)

I became involved with The Learning Fields through my work as the Sebastian County Horticulture Agent, first conducting site visits there before becoming a full volunteer.

2. How long have you volunteered at The Learning Fields?

I’ve volunteered since early Summer 2025 when I took on the Pumpkin Patch garden.

3. What garden, project, or activity are you involved with at The Learning Fields, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I’m the garden chair for both the Pumpkin Patch and Blackberry Patch. My favorite part of this job so far is learning firsthand what works and what doesn’t. Having a plant die or a poor harvest is a learning opportunity rather than a failure.

4. What is your favorite part of The Learning Fields, and why?

I get the opportunity to work alongside the Master Gardener volunteers I manage and to see firsthand the benefit they provide to the community.

5. What have you learned through your experience at The Learning Fields?

I’ve learned that while I can give recommendations on gardening all day long, it’s better to get the hands-on experience. I don’t keep a garden at home so working at The Learning Fields allows me to learn things that would otherwise just come out of a book.

6. Why do you volunteer at The Learning Fields and what do you enjoy most about it?

I volunteer at The Learning Fields because I get a sense of personal fulfillment by volunteering and The Learning Fields is an easy place to start doing that. I also get more than enough physical activity when I would otherwise be sitting at home.

7. Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you or your experience at The Learning Fields?

Any who don’t already, should attend one of the workshops at The Learning Fields. I and several other volunteers teach these classes and they’re a great way to be proactive in learning something new.

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

From Garden to Kitchen

We had a wonderful morning at the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House for our Harvesting Herbs for Healthy Living workshop, presented by Tristin Bolton, County Extension Agent – Family & Consumer Sciences, (Sebastian County Extension Service) in partnership with The Learning Fields.

Held in the Cancer Support House’s beautiful demonstration kitchen and dining area, the workshop offered the perfect setting for learning about herbs from the garden to the kitchen.

Tristin did an excellent job sharing practical information about how to grow and harvest herbs, as well as the best ways to store and preserve them. She also demonstrated how herbs can be used in a variety of dishes, giving participants plenty of ideas for bringing fresh flavor into their own kitchens.

Thank you, Tristin, for sharing your knowledge with us, and thank you to the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House for providing such a wonderful setting for this educational program.

And, of course, thank you to everyone who joined us!

Growing beauty, knowledge, and community.

08/31/2026

Renovation is underway in the Butterfly Garden at The Learning Fields!

Master Gardeners Kendall and Grayson Pyle, along with their daughter, Makenzie, have been busy cleaning out the garden beds and reimagining the space. They are redesigning the layout and will soon begin replanting to give the garden a fresh new look.

There’s still plenty of work ahead, but we’re excited to watch the transformation take shape. We’ll be sharing updates along the way as the Butterfly Garden comes back to life!

A big thank-you to Kendall, Grayson, and Makenzie for taking on this project and helping make The Learning Fields even more beautiful for our visitors, and our butterflies!

08/30/2026

Cutting Garden Chair Dianne Heinrichs enjoyed the recent Barn Quilt class so much that she was inspired to paint a cheerful sunflower for the Cutting Garden!

She loves that this sunflower won’t be eaten by critters or fried by the Arkansas heat.

Stop by The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing to see Dianne’s artwork and discover all the other beautiful garden projects created by our talented volunteers. There’s always something new to see!

08/29/2026

🎲GAME NIGHT FOR A GREAT CAUSE!🎲

Join us at Fort Smith Brewing Company for a fun-filled Wheel of Fortune Game Night benefiting The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing!

🗓️Friday, September 11, 2026
⏰7:00 PM
📍Fort Smith Brewing Company
7500 Fort Chaffee Blvd., Fort Smith

Tickets are $20, online or at the door, and all proceeds from ticket sales benefit The Learning Fields.

Come ready to play, have some fun, and support your community! Prizes will be awarded throughout the game, and Fort Smith Brewing Company will have great food and your favorite beverages available to enjoy while you play.🌮🍻

Can’t make it to Game Night? You can still be part of the fun by making a donation to support The Learning Fields. Every contribution helps us continue growing beauty, knowledge, and community!

Tickets available at the door or go to
https://www.thelearningfields.org/coming-soon
to purchase a ticket or make a donation.

Gather your friends and make a night of it.
Play. Win. Have fun. Support.
We hope to see you there!🎉

08/28/2026

Harvesting Herbs for Healthy Living
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
10:00 am
FREE
Reynolds Cancer Support House
3324 S M Street, Fort Smith 72903
(across from Creekmore Park)
Discover how herbs can add flavor, variety, and benefits to everyday meals. Tristin Bolton, Sebastian County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, will lead this informative and engaging session presented by The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing.

Participants will explore the top 10 culinary herbs, learn about their benefits, discover which foods they pair best with, and learn simple methods for preserving herbs. The class will also include practical tips for incorporating herbs into healthy cooking, along with a fun taste-testing opportunity.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or simply want to add more flavor to your meals, this class will offer something for everyone! Questions? Contact Dianne Heinrichs at (479) 462-8400 or [email protected].

08/27/2026

Every Name Has a Story

Every engraved brick along the Brick Pathway at The Learning Fields represents someone special.

A parent whose love shaped a family.
A friend who made life brighter.
A mentor who inspired others.
A volunteer who gave so much.
A milestone worth celebrating.
A life that should never be forgotten.

Each brick becomes a lasting part of a place where families gather, children learn, flowers bloom, and memories continue to grow. Long after we're gone, those names and the stories behind them, will continue to welcome visitors for years to come.

If there is someone who has touched your life, consider honoring them with an engraved brick on The Learning Fields' Brick Pathway.

Engraved Brick: $75
Order Deadline: September 1, 2026

To place your order or request more information, call 479-310-0465 or email [email protected].

Because the people who leave footprints on our hearts deserve a lasting place in our gardens.