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Extension Educational Programs & Services
Saline County, Arkansas

The Cooperative Extension Service offers a host of educational programs and services.  If you do not see what you are looking for below, please contact our county Extension Office for assistance.

 

Food Preservation & Canning Class Participants Preparing Jars for Canning

Family and Consumer Science - Raising Kids, Eating Right, Spending Smart, Living Well

The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program in Saline County offers instruction in healthy living practices, financial management, family relationships, child care, and community involvement. Contact FCS agent  LaTaaka Harvey for more information about any of these programs.

Photo: Food preservation and canning class participants prepare jars for canning.

 

Benton Chamber of Commerce Flower Bed/Landscaping by Saline Master Gardeners

Saline County Agricultural Programs

Saline County Extension offers a variety of educational and service programs in a variety of areas. For more information on agriculture educational programs or services, contact Nicole Nichols, the Saline County agriculture agent.

Photo: Saline County Master Gardeners flower bed at the Benton Chamber of Commerce. 

 

Service Programs

  • Soil testing 
  • Forage testing
  • Plant ID
  • Plant disease diagnosis
  • Forage fertilization 
  • Beef and dairy rations
  • Abandoned Pesticide Collection program
  • Well Water Quality Testing

Education Programs

  • Pesticide Applicator Training
  • Cow herd improvement
  • Pasture insect control
  • Cattle insect control
  • Weed and brush control program
  • Farm financial management

Service Programs

  • Soil Testing
  • Plant disease diagnosis/SBR
  • Plant ID
  • Nematode
  • Abandoned pesticide collection program
  • Well water quality testing
  • Fruit and vegetable plant disease diagnosis
  • Fruit and vegetable fertility programs

Educational Programs

  • Pesticide Applicator Training
  • Fruit and vegetable cultural practices
  • Insect resistance program

Master Gardeners are volunteers with an interest in gardening, a willingness to learn, and a desire to help others solve their gardening issues.  

Master Gardeners are trained by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service faculty and complete 40 hours of basic horticulture training. After training, they work under the supervision of the local county extension agent as a Master Gardener.

Volunteers work a minimum of 40 hours during the first year and 20 hours in subsequent years on Master Gardener projects.

Saline County Master Gardeners maintain several beautification projects including these:

  • Audubon Park in Bauxite
  • Avilla Community Garden
  • Benton Post Office
  • Bryant Library
  • Alcoa Parkway Crape Myrtle Project
  • Downtown Benton Crape Myrtles and Corners
  • Gann Museum
  • Hospice Center in Bryant
  • Owens-Mooney Park
  • Saline County Courthouse & Gazebo
  • Saline County Fairgrounds Horticultural Building
  • Salvation Army
  • Sevier Street Triangle
  • Tyndall Park
  • Veterans Memorial

Interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Contact Nicole Nichols.

Service Programs

  • Soil Testing
  • Plant disease diagnosis/SBR
  • Plant ID
  • Well water quality testing

Educational Programs

  • Lawns and gardens
  • House pests
 

 

4-H Salem Superstars Working on Building Bird Houses Project

Saline County 4-H Youth Development

4-H is the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension Service. The  program is open to youth ages 5 to 19 and is offered in many forms including community clubs, special interest clubs, in-school clubs, school enrichment programs, camps and more. Through project work, 4-H members learn by doing. More than 80 projects are available to 4-H members.

To learn more about becoming a 4-H member, leader or volunteer, or about 4-H programming, contact the Saline County Extension Office. 

Photo:  Saline County 4-H Salem Superstars build birdhouses.

4-H clubs typically meet on a monthly basis throughout the year. Members can be a part of a project group or club that meets at other times to explore the specific project interests of the group.

Community clubs are formed within geographic areas, schools, or housing communities. 

Find a Saline County 4-H Club from our Saline County 4-H Clubs List- March 2025

Learn more about the Saline County 4-H program in our Saline County 4-H Family Handbook

Saline County 4-H hosts a variety of events and activities for youth.

See the lists below for annual county, district and state activities typically available through 4-H.

County Opportunities

  • 4-H County Cooks
  • Broiler BBQ contest
  • Ross Photography contest
  • Day Camps — topics vary annually
  • Poultry Chain
  • County 4-H O-Rama contests
      1. Illustrated Talks & Demonstrations
      2. Bicycle
      3. Sports Fishing
      4. Gun Safety & BB Shooting
      5. Fashion Revue
      6. Performing Arts
      7. Wildlife
      8. Crop and Weed Identification
      9. And more!

State

  • Camps — Adventure & Challenge Camp, Junior Camp, Cloverbud Camp and more! Find more information about Arkansas 4-H Camp opportunities on the Arkansas 4-H Camps webpage.
  • Competitive Activities — Livestock Skill-a-thon Contest, Beef Quiz Bowl, SeaPerch Challenge and more
  • Trips & Conferences — Kansas City Global, High Adventure, Citizenship Washington Focus, National 4-H Conference and more
  • Leadership Opportunities
  • Community Service Opportunities

School Enrichment projects are a cooperative effort between the school and the Saline County Cooperative Extension Service. Members participate in an education program planned and coordinated by Extension staff in cooperation with school officials to supplement and compliment the school curriculum.  

For additional information on bringing 4-H programming into your school or classroom, please contact the Saline County Extension Office.

 

 

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