Happy Retirement to Mark Keaton

Mark Keaton is retiring December 2018.

Mark Keaton is the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Agent Staff Chair for Baxter County.  As county Extension Agent in Baxter County, Mark works with livestock and forage producers, homeowners and the 4-H youth.  He is an Ex-Officio Member of the Baxter County Fair Board. Mark holds Classes to train Fair Judges. He also recruits and trains Master Gardener volunteers to represent the Extension Service and to help disseminate gardening information.

Mark grew up on a beef cattle and poultry farm in northwest Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with Bachelor and Master of Science degrees. He began working for the Cooperative Extension Service in 1985 and transferred to Baxter County in 1989.   Mark was awarded the 2016 Arkansas Master Gardener County Agent of the Year.

As our County Extension Agent, Mark Keaton is our liaison with the University of Arkansas Agriculture Department. Mark supports Baxter County MGs with his accessibility and knowledge and his attendance at our Board and Membership Meetings.  Mark has a weekly column regarding horticulture, farming and livestock issues and the "Monthly Gardening Calendar" published in our local newspaper, the Baxter Bulletin. Mark chairs the Baxter County Extension Council Agriculture Sub-Committee meetings to review programs and to identify needs for Baxter County citizens. Mark as Staff Chair, and Billie Collins 4-H, helped Arkansas host the 2016 National Agriculture County Agents Association Conference.  Over a thousand agents nationwide attended the Conference to receive professional development during the hundreds of sessions offered. 

Mark and his wife Donya live in Midway.   Their son, Brett is 22 years old and will graduate in May 2019 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with an Ag Business degree. Mark enjoys going to Razorback football and baseball games; watching St. Louis Cardinal Baseball games; and Professional Bull Riding and rodeos. 

Thank you, Mark, for all the support you have given the Baxter County Master Gardeners. We will miss you. Enjoy your retirement!!!

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