Faulkner County
Master Gardeners
Projects
Master Gardeners Stay Busy throughout the Year
With Projects that Benefit the Community
Landscape Projects •
Education Committees •
Administrative Projects
Faulkner County Master Gardener
Landscape
Projects
Faulkner County Courthouse
Around 1997, Master Gardeners worked with the County Judge’s
office to develop and implement a plan to refresh or replace old
institutional plantings on the grounds of the Faulkner County
Courthouse. Today Master Gardeners continue to maintain the
plantings with scheduled workdays for weeding, pruning, planting and
mulching. Master Gardeners have also been asked to provide input
into plans for a possible renovation of the entire campus.
Faulkner County Courthouse - Juvenile Court
In 2009, Master Gardeners were asked to develop a plan and submit
suggestions to the Judge for renovation of the beds at the Juvenile
Court adjoining the Faulkner County Courthouse.
Faulkner County Libraries
Master Gardeners helped install landscape plantings soon after
the main library in Conway was built. Since that time, our committee
members have improved the beds to further our goal of demonstrating
low maintenance and low water usage.
As branch libraries were opened in
Greenbrier,
Vilonia, and
Mayflower, Master Gardeners helped design and install the landscape
plantings for each of those sites with financial support from the
Friends of the Library and Keep Faulkner County Beautiful
organization. Today we continue to maintain these sites through
scheduled workdays for cleanup, planting, and refreshing the beds.
Master Gardeners also work with community members in
Twin Groves
to maintain the gardens at the library.
Faulkner County Museum/Herb Garden
In 2002, a Master Gardener committee worked with the museum
director to develop a plan for the beds at the museum and dog trot
cabin on the courthouse grounds. The goal was to create a landscape
that would be historically correct and require minimal water and
maintenance. The committee installed heirloom and period plants,
including medicinal herbs and vegetables. Today Master Gardeners
continue to maintain these sites through scheduled workdays for
cleanup, planting, and refreshing the beds.
Legacy Gardens
Legacy Gardens, formerly known as “The Water Conservation Demonstration and Butterfly Gardens”, is on the campus of the Natural Resource Center (which houses the Faulkner County Extension Service Offices).
With a mandate and generous support from Conway Corporation, the primary mission of Legacy Gardens is to demonstrate garden planning and maintenance methods which conserve water. Our sprinkler system, donated and installed by Conway Corp., allows for the incorporation of a variety of irrigation techniques, enabling us to demonstrate watering methods that are site and plant specific.
Plant selection requirements emphasize plants that are drought-tolerant, low maintenance, and non-invasive. We also want to use as many cultivars of native Arkansas plants as possible. Several sections are dedicated butterfly gardens, but plants attractive to butterflies will be incorporated throughout the area.
Within the larger design we have incorporated garden sections that will allow homeowners and landscapers to see possible home garden layouts for specific garden concepts (e.g. a rose garden, a “formal” garden, a children's garden) and hardscape features such as seating, pathways and borders, and a low-maintenance fountain. A garden pergola, which will provide sheltered space for an outdoor “classroom”, is also planned.
The business community and the city of Conway and Faulkner County have been supportive and generous, as have been individual community members and Master Gardeners who have made substantial contributions to the garden.
The Legacy Gardens dedication will be held October 16 at 2:00 p.m. on the Natural Resource Center Campus, 110 S. Amity Road, Conway, Ark.
Mt. Vernon City Park
In 2001, Master Gardeners in the Mt. Vernon area were asked to
work with community members to prepare, plant and help maintain beds
of seasonal color at the city park. Master Gardeners continue to
maintain the area today.
Natural Resource Center Building
In 2005, as ground was broken for the Master Gardener home,
members with professional horticultural expertise began working with
architects, contractors, and other tenants of the building to create
a staged landscape plan for the entire campus. We completed
foundation plantings in time for the building’s grand opening in
2006 and continue to maintain the area.
Note: All Faulkner County Master Gardeners are expected to
participate in planting and maintenance workdays for this, our
"showcase," site.
Oak Grove Cemetery
Master Gardeners plant and maintain areas of seasonal color in
Conway’s historic cemetery.
Faulkner County Master Gardener
Education Committees
Community Outreach
Frequently Master Gardeners are asked for advice from local
businesses and organizations. These activities are one-time
non-sanctioned projects, which are primarily consultations. The
hours are recorded as miscellaneous.
Enrichment
This committee tracks skills, interests and expertise of our
individual members in order to facilitate outreach presentations to
our group as well as other members of our community. Depending upon
the audience and the need, Master Gardeners may present workshops,
seminars or one-time programs to schools and community
organizations. Past topics have included "How to Plant Bulbs," "The
Importance of Honey Bees," and "The Master Gardener Program."
Field Trip
Committee members research and recommend opportunities for
gardening-related field trips. The committee also facilitates the
trip, making reservations and planning transportation options.
Faulkner County Fair Education Booth
Master Gardeners plan and produce a display to educate the
general public about basic gardening concepts. Recent topics have
included "Butterfly Gardening," "Soil Test Results" and "Benefits of
Mulch." Judged by such criteria as general interest, effectiveness
of presentation, and accuracy of horticultural information, our
booth has won county and regional awards over the past several
years.
Faulkner County Fair Horticulture Division
Over a two day period in September, Master Gardeners assist the
Extension Service staff with managing the variety of agricultural
products to be judged at the annual Faulkner County Fair. Master
Gardeners also serve as judges and award ribbons to the winners.
Fire Ant Abatement
Master Gardeners serve as a resource to the community in the
effort to eradicate fire ants from our area. Members of this
committee receive extra training about the danger fire ants present
to public and private landscapes and work with the Extension Office
and other experts to manage fire ant infestations. The committee
offers on-site demonstrations as well as a variety of informative
programs to community groups and individuals. They have also made
educational videos available for check-out at all county libraries.
Floriculture Contest
Master Gardeners assist Conway High School agriculture teachers
and FFA advisors in staging an annual "Floriculture Contest." This
contest involves approximately 150 students from 30 high schools
across the state. The contest is a two part, in-depth plant ID of 50
plant samples and a 50-question test of general horticultural
knowledge. The committee constructs the test and assists in
administering and scoring the results.
GardenWalk
Master Gardeners plan and present a public tour of residential
gardens in Faulkner County. We recruit garden owner participants,
offer our help in preparing the gardens for viewing, and serve as
hosts/docents during the tours. This committee also develops the
tour routes and handles ticket sales and publicity for the event.
Master Gardener Training
This committee recruits new Master Gardeners, plans the
curriculum (adhering to the Arkansas Master Gardener Program
Guidelines), and arranges and schedules the training sessions. Care
is taken to secure interesting and competent presenters and to plan
for as much hands-on learning experiences as possible.
To recruit new members, a "Meet the Master Gardeners" event
occurs each year. This event shows prospective members the various
aspects of the program and gives them an opportunity to ask
questions. The entire membership supports this committee, assisting
with the logistics, refreshments, and acting as mentors to the
trainees.
Newsletter
Staff reporters track accomplishments of individual members as
well as project activities in The Grapevine, an award-winning
monthly newsletter. The mission of The Grapevine is to help
all members get to know each other, to offer information about
volunteer opportunities, and to inform the entire membership of all
the activities of the organization. The staff members gather
information and photos, write the copy, compose each issue, and meet
monthly to proofread the current issue and plan for the next one.
Plant Sale
Master Gardeners plan and provide a spring plant sale. A
sub-committee digs, gathers, and pots plants from a variety of sites
(mostly fellow Master Gardeners' gardens). Members of other
sub-committees provide logistics (transport the plants), set up the
sale display, and assist shoppers on the day of the sale. Members
also staff an information booth at the sale to answer horticultural
questions and to offer information about the Master Gardener
program.
Youth Garden
A Master Gardener committee works with the Oak Grove Commons
staff and 4-H on a program that gives local youth experience in
planting, maintaining and harvesting their own on-site garden. Our
committee supervises these young gardeners during the summer and
after school during the growing season. These youth also learn how
to prepare and/or preserve their produce.
Faulkner County Master Gardener
Administrative Projects
Communication
This committee notifies members of Master Gardener activities
through email announcements. A sub-committee relays the information
to members who do not have email..
Finance
Master Gardeners who serve on this committee work with the
treasurer to prepare an annual budget. The President appoints a
subcommittee to audit the organization’s funds.
Grant Writing
This committee reviews grant sources and assists with grant
applications for Faulkner County projects. After a grant is awarded,
the committee follows-up to see that grant requirements are met.
Marketing/External Publicity
Master Gardeners provide program publicity to local news outlets,
including photographs, news releases, magazine articles, flyers, and
street signs that promote Master Gardener projects and activities.
They have also developed a regularly updated brochure and Power
Point presentation for interested groups.
Master Gardener Extension Office Support
One of our most important missions is to staff our Master
Gardener office and to assist the Extension Office Master Gardener
advisor. Committee members also answer the Master Gardener phone,
research horticulture questions and supply information about the
Master Gardener program to callers.
Newsletter Production and Mailing
This committee copies, collates and prepares The Grapevine
for mailing to Master Gardener community supporters as well as
members who do not receive the newsletter via email.
Program
This committee finds and arranges for speakers for nine general
meetings held each year. (The summer social, new class graduation
and year-end holiday socials do not require speakers.)
Recordkeeping
This committee tabulates and maintains the project, learning, and
miscellaneous hours of each Faulkner County Master Gardener. The
committee members advise individual members on how to report hours
and resolve questions that arise. Reports are provided to the
executive board and the Master Gardener advisor.
Scholarship Committee
This committee promotes Master Gardener scholarships that are
granted annually. After the application deadline, the committee
reviews and selects the recipients to be recommended to the Board
and the general membership for final approval.
Scrapbook
This committee archives all major Master Gardener activities for
the year. Scrapbooks from previous years are stored in the Master
Gardener Room at the Cooperative Extension Office.
Socials
Committee members plan social events during the year and schedule
refreshments for each meeting. They also return the facilities which
are used to their previous conditions. These events promote
fellowship and friendship among Master Gardener members.
Sunshine
This committee works with the Corresponding Secretary to send
expressions of encouragement to Master Gardeners who are ill and
sympathy cards to those who have lost a family member.
Technical Support Team
Committee members maintain a current inventory of AV equipment
and recommend updates and/or additions. They also serve as internet
technology assistants at monthly meetings, seminars, and training
class sessions. In addition, they record class sessions, programs
and horticultural information as DVDs or CDs that are made available
for general use.
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