About Us
County Impact Statements - Benton County
Horticulture Grows: Master Gardeners Lend a Hand
Benton County’s population increased 380% from 1970 to the current level of
155,000. Along with population, a growing demand for horticulture information
continues to increase. The Master Gardener organization has illustrated the
capacity and desire to identify and address the growing variety of horticulture
needs.
Public Service: Master Gardeners provide individuals with horticulture
recommendations and educational materials on a variety of topics through their
telephone "hotline" and "walk-in" clientele service. Fact sheets are developed
each year to "tune" recommendations to specific growing conditions that exist
within Benton County.
Public Education: Public programs are conducted on a variety of popular
topics each year. Professional and hobby horticulturist are used to provide the
latest and best information in an effort to increase the knowledge and pleasure
of clientele on a variety of topics.
Leadership: A 40 hour Master Gardener Training Course is conducted each year.
In addition, Master Gardeners work in partnership with other community groups
which share common goals of public education and the development of individual
leadership in related areas of horticulture, serving to improve the quality of
life at home and within the community.
Youth: Projects, such as "Grow-Up-Green" involving youth are some of the most
popular and are conducted within many elementary schools and community 4-H
clubs.
Master Gardeners provided "hands-on" instructions for
elementary students in six County Elementary Schools.
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Impacts
- Over 3,000 clientele were provided assistance in 2001 in one of the
various Master Gardener outreach program efforts.
- Master Gardeners donated in excess of 2,500 hours of volunteer time and
traveled over 40,000 miles in 2001 to plan and conduct the various outreach
programs and projects.
- Master Gardeners worked with 225 elementary school students and 4-H Club
members in "hands-on" horticulture projects with plants and supplies
provided by Wal-Mart and Lowe’s Garden Centers.
- Other projects assisted included: Main Street Rogers, Peel House
Project, Farm Credit Services Planter, Benton County Fair, Bella Vista
Garden Club and the NW Arkansas Botanical Gardens.
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