We are volunteers dedicated to horticulture and gardening at 31
projects in local public places. Our 492 plus Master Gardeners volunteer to develop and maintain public gardens in Pulaski County. You're probably already familiar with many of them – the wildflowers at Witt Stephens Nature Center, the Asian Woodland Garden at the Wildwood Park for Performing Arts, Old Mill in North Little Rock, an
d the Scholar’s Garden on the grounds of Clinton Library; and the formal gardens at the Old State House and Curran Hall in Little Rock, not to mention plantings at the Historic Arkansas Museum. Master Gardeners also maintain the wildflower and butterfly areas at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, the Contemplation Garden in MacArthur Park, formal planters in the courtyards of the Arkansas Arts Center, and the heritage roses and flowers at historic Mount Holly Cemetery. We grow world-renowned varieties of blackberries and blueberries at the Cammack Village UAEX fruit demonstration garden and tend the Governor's Mansion Vegetable Garden. We utilize three greenhouses, one at Pathfinder in Jacksonville and two at the State Hospital in LIttle Rock to start our plants. In addition to hands-on gardening, Pulaski County Master Gardeners speak to groups in local schools and community organizations. We help home gardeners solve problems through a River Market Clinic and a Horticulture Hotline. Master Gardeners also teach plant therapy classes at the Baptist Rehabilitation Institute, and often serve as docents for local garden tours. We have a long national history in horticultural service to the public under the guidance of the Cooperative Extension Service. In 1972, the Extension Agent/Farm Advisor in Snohomish County, Washington could no longer handle the calls from the growing number of ‘urban’ farmers in his area. The concept of trained volunteers with the specific goal of assisting the farm advisor was born. A core group of interested gardeners was recruited and trained by the local land grant university cooperative extension office. (Source: Master Gardener International)
Master Gardeners receive many hours of training in botany, soil science, plant propagation, pest management, pesticide and herbicide usage, vegetable and ornamental plant gardening, plant and weed identification, pruning and other horticulture related subjects. In exchange, Master Gardeners donate back to local communities by answering questions, researching specific problems, planting educational and therapeutic gardens, providing public speakers and much more. In 2012, Pulaski County Master Gardener volunteers gave more than 12,000 hours of service to their community. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service opens its Master Gardner program to all eligible volunteers regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
