arkansas master gardeners 2020 awards

Master Gardener 2021 Award Winners (awarded in 2021 for program year 2020)

Challenge Award (51 or more) - Washington County, Susan Gardner
Master Gardener Newsletter of the Year (50 or less) Greene Garden News, Angela Loveless, Editor, Greene County.  
Master Gardener Newsletter of the Year (51 or more) Weeder's Digest, Donna Tolewitzke, Editor,  Craighead County
Friend of Master Gardener (Individual) Jim Howard, Greene County
Friend of Master Gardener (Individual) Christy Gerard, Craighead County
Friend of Master Gardener (Business) Cleveland County Herald, Cleveland County
Friend of Master Gardener (Business) Harps Food Store #391,Garland County
Master Gardener Rookie of the Year (50 or less) Mark Skalka, Lonoke County
Master Gardener Rookie of the Year (51 or more) Joan Lambert, Garland County
Master Gardener of the Year (50 or less) Marty Bowlin, Cleveland County
Master Gardener of the Year (51 or more) Stephanie Neely,  Craighead County
Master Gardener Project of the Year (50 or less) Cabot Library Project, Lonoke County
Master Gardener Project of the Year (51 or more) Helping Hands Food Pantry Garden, Benton County
Excellence In Education Award (50 or less) Green County Youth Teaching Garden, Greene County

MG Program Agent of the Year (50 or less) Randy Black, Montgomery County

MG Program Agent of the Year (51 or more) Randy Forst, Pulaski County


Master Gardener Years of Service 
Click the link below to view the list
Years of Service List (pdf)


2021 Janet B. Carson County Scholarship Recipient
Pope County's Garden of Hope
The garden is a cooperation between Pope County Master Gardeners and the Pope County Probation Department.  Children are assigned to do their community service hours at the garden.  The goal of the project is to provide a positive life experience to young people by teaching gardening principles.  These will include preparing the soil, caring for plants from seed through harvesting, composting and the importance of pollinators.  The objective is that through this process the children will learn important life lessons.  



2021 Janet B. Carson High School Scholarship Recipients

Matthew Exum, Green County Technical High School, Greene County  
Matthew has always been interested in all aspects of agriculture.  After working as an assistant for a crop consulting firm, he was drawn toward learning more about making the best possible crop and yield and the science behind the development of the various products used.  He states, “Agriculture is changing daily, and I want to be part of that change.”  His career goal is to become an agronomist.  Matthew is known as an exceptional student, having a tremendous work ethic, and being very dependable.  Matthew has been accepted at Black River Technical College where he will pursue a degree in Crop Science.


Clay Farmer, Marmaduke High School, Greene County
His experience of working with various farms inspired Clay to realize the importance of maintaining crops, which allows farmers to make timely, informed, and economical decisions. His ultimate goal is to become a crop consultant where he hopes to enable farmers to confidently make impactful decisions.  Clay is known as an organized and proactive leader with an outstanding work ethic, and as a model citizen to his community.  Clay has been accepted at Arkansas State University where he will pursue a degree in Plant & Soil Science.


Sunny Jones, Conway High School, Faulkner County
Sunny believes that plant science serves as the foundation for civilization’s future.  His plans include owning a business with regenerative agriculture and environmentally friendly spaces to support healthy biodiversity.  His ideas include an ecological haven with a native plant garden, a community garden as well as a commercial vertical garden for organic produce.  Sunny is known as being intelligent, intuitive, and self-reflective and as having a giving nature.  Sunny has been accepted at the University of Arkansas Honors College where he will major in Horticulture, Landscape, and Turf Sciences/Environmental Science.