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Faulkner County Extension reports $52,000 plant‑sale, $20,000 in student awards and plans to host 2026 state conference
Summary
Faulkner County Extension horticulture agent Chris Duquan told the Quorum Court the Master Gardeners’ May sale generated about $52,000 in sales (approximately $30,000 projected profit), funded $20,000 in scholarships for 10 local students, and the county will host the Arkansas State Master Gardener Conference in June 2026.
Chris Duquan, horticulture agent with the Faulkner County Extension Office, updated the Quorum Court on Master Gardener activities, fundraising and community programs.
Duquan said the Master Gardeners’ May plant sale recorded more than $52,000 in sales, roughly 1,300 customers and some 13,000 plants offered. After expenses he estimated about $30,000 in net proceeds. The group used part of the proceeds to award $20,000 in scholarships to 10 local college students pursuing science‑related degrees for the 2025–26 academic year.
Duquan said the county will not hold the large plant sale in 2026 because Faulkner County will host the Arkansas State Master Gardener Conference in Conway in June 2026; the local program is taking the year off to focus on conference preparations. The conference is expected to draw roughly 500 participants from across the state and will include garden tours and showcases of local extension projects.
Community programs: Duquan described ongoing public‑garden activities (first and third Saturday mornings and second and fourth Thursday evenings during the summer), family garden workdays at the Carolyn Lewis School Garden, monthly gardening seminars at the Conway Public Library and a virtual monthly program, Grow Your Own Groceries, which has run since 2020 and attracts thousands of participants. Duquan listed upcoming topics including peppers (June 12), watermelons (July 15), carrots (August) and figs (September). He also said the office is planning Certified Arborist exam‑prep training likely in late August and several 4‑H day camps during the summer.
Extension tour: Duquan invited court members to an extension tour on August 22 to showcase local farmers, 4‑H participants and Master Gardener projects.
Ending: Court members thanked Duquan and the Master Gardeners for maintenance of public gardens and community outreach. No formal county action was taken at this meeting.
