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About Us
County Impact Statements - Sebastian County
Gardening for Dollars: River Valley Lawn and Garden Show Funds
Scholarships
The 2001 Arkansas River Valley Lawn and Garden Show was a wonderful success
with nearly six thousand folks attending the three day event in March. Visitors
saw everything from robotic mowers to decorative stonework. Educational seminars
ran throughout the three day show covering topics ranging from fire ant control
to landscape design to heirloom tomato varieties. Local landscapers transformed
the bare cement interior of the convention center into elaborately landscaped
gardens with reflecting pools, waterfalls and huge boulders.
In its eighth year the Garden Show has grown from a break-even proposition to
a major fund raising event. Proceeds from the Garden Show are donated to the
University of Arkansas Agricultural Development Council to fund two full
horticulture scholarships at the University of Arkansas; the Crawford and
Sebastian County library systems receive funds to go toward the purchase of
horticultural texts, and the River Valley Master Gardeners receive monies to
help fund some of their dozen community projects.
The River Valley Lawn and Garden Show is planned and executed entirely by
volunteers, Master Gardeners. The River Valley Master Gardeners group is
comprised of members from Crawford and Sebastian Counties and advised by county
Extension agents from the University of Arkansas. Each member receives 40 hours
of intensive horticultural training. In return, they give 40 hours of community
service back their first year and 20 hours each successive year. Current Master
Gardener projects include: the Lawn and Garden Show, the Herb Garden at
Creekmore Park, Cisterna Plaza, Fort Smith Convention Center, the Clayton House,
the Van Buren triangle, Van Buren Public Library and others.
6000 attended the 2001 River Valley Lawn and Garden Show held at
the new Fort Smith Convention Center in March. Local Master
Gardeners stage this event.
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Impacts
- Six thousand people are entertained and informed on the latest in
gardening through educational booths and seminars from horticultural
experts.
- Over $23,000 in horticulture scholarships have been awarded in the past
four years.
- $2000 have gone to local library systems to purchase garden related
books.
- Hundreds of local landscape related businesses have been showcased to
the public during the eight years of the Lawn and Garden Show.
- Master Gardener Projects in Crawford and Sebastian Counties are
partially funded from Garden Show proceeds.
- The Lawn and Garden Show is conducted entirely with volunteers. No
corporate sponsorships are solicited.
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