About Us
County Impact Statements - Columbia County
Home Gardeners Show Off Green Thumbs
Home Gardening is a popular pastime in this area. Besides providing
relaxation and enjoyment the home garden can help ease the family’s food budget.
The average home garden is only 750 square feet but provides over 700 pounds of
produce for family consumption.
In addition to vegetable gardening, home owners have strong interests in
flower gardening, lawns, and landscape care. Home gardeners are able to get
information and problem solving advice related to any of these areas from the
local Extension office.
The South Arkansas Garden Show is a collaborative effort of Extension offices
in several south Arkansas counties, the Museum of Natural Resources, area Master
Gardeners, and other interested individuals. Held at the Arkansas Museum of
Natural Resources in Smackover, the show consists of educational displays,
commercial vendor exhibits, speakers, children’s activities, and a tablescape
competition.
Master Gardener training is offered to county residents. Participants receive
40 hours of intensive instruction in various aspects of gardening. Graduates of
the course are expected to repay the investment in the course by providing 40
hours of volunteer work in some aspect of gardening which benefits their
community.
The local farmer’s market continues to grow since moving to its new location
at the corner of Vine and Stadium. The Extension office works with the farmers
providing information concerning the production of various crops as well as
assistance in addressing fertility and pest problems.
County Agent Danny Walker mans a booth on Water Gardening at the
South Arkansas Garden Show
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Impacts
- Seven local gardeners completed Master Gardener Training in 2001
- An estimated crowd in excess of 1000 people attended the South Arkansas
Garden Show
- Gardening presentations were made to 5 different civic and church groups
- Over 150 home gardening soil samples are processed each year
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