Division of Ag brings bees, backyard chickens, bicycle smoothies to Arkansas Flower and Garden Show
Feb. 23, 2018
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- Arkansas Flower & Garden Show march 2-4
- Division of Ag display at Hall of Industry
- Learn about gardening, beekeeping, backyard chickens and more
(520 words)
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LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Flower and Garden Show isn’t just the state’s largest show
of its kind in, it’s also a one-of-a-kind gathering where the curious can learn all
things horticulture, healthy foods and backyard science.
The show, themed “Imagine the Possibilities,” runs March 2-4 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock.
The Division of Agriculture will have its Cooperative Extension Service faculty, staff and volunteers from the Master Gardener and Extension Homemaker’s Clubs on hand in the Hall of Industry during the three days of the show to answer questions.
“The show is at its heart an educational event,” said Vic Ford, interim director-Agricultural and Natural Resources-Extension for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “It’s a great one-stop shop to learn more about your passions, whether it’s gardening, beekeeping, backyard chickens or wildlife.”
The Division of Agriculture section includes:
- Growing edible mushrooms – Vic Ford.
- Healthy cooking with Arkansas produce – Extension’s Leigh Ann Bullington, Keith Cleek and others will be preparing Sautéed Arkansas Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts and Arkansas Grown Fruit Smoothies.
- Forestry – Jon Barry, assistant professor and extension forester
- Gardening – Janet Carson, extension horticulture specialist.
- 4-H and Youth activities, including a make-a-smoothie-with-a-bicycle demonstration – 4H faculty and staff.
- Beekeeping – Jon Zawislak, extension bee specialist.
- The Bug Zoo – Carolyn Lewis, entomology research associate.
- Poultry expo – Dustan Clark, extension poultry veterinarian and Sharidi Barber, extension youth poultry.
Tickets for the show are $10 for adults. Children 12 and under get in free. For more information about the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show, visit https://argardenshow.org/.
The 2018 show is sponsored by Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, Central Arkansas Water, Dr. Steve and Merilyn Tilley, Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, Grand Designs, River Valley Horticultural Products, Inc.; Roseberry Landscape Services; the Ozark Folk Center; Better Lawns & Gardens; Antique Brick Outdoors and Arkansas Outdoor Concepts.
About the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show
The Arkansas Flower and Garden Show is an educational presentation of the University
of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, its Master Gardener program, Arkansas
Farm Bureau Federation, the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs and the Arkansas Florists
Association. The show is a 501(c)3 organization that has distributed more than $111,000
in grants for horticultural projects and education around Arkansas.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen
agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption
of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative
Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work
within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu