The Sharp County Master Gardeners recognized two outstanding youths during their August meeting, also reading a milestone for the club itself.
On Aug. 12, Highland High School graduate Taci Humphries and Cave City High School graduate Caleb Cates were each presented with a $1,000 scholarship to help with higher education.
According to President of the Sharp County Master Gardeners, David Thomas, the scholarships were made possible by the club’s fundraising efforts, particularly plant sales.
Thomas said this is not the first scholarship the club has ever awarded, but it is the first time the club has had larger sums of money to award.
“We’re a volunteer group that are very enthusiastic about gardening; both vegetables and ornamentals and we like the share what we learn with others,” Thomas said. “We have several locations we installed and keep on public property.”
Thomas said the club was impressed with the essays presented to them by Humphries and Cates.
“Caleb plans to become a cardiologist and we hope once he completes his education he returns to the area,” Thomas said. “Taci is a fifth-generation farmer and plans to further her education in animal science. She has already logged 260 hours at a local veterinary clinic through an internship program.”
When asked what it takes to become a master gardener, Thomas said it was a process, but not necessarily a difficult one.
“In order to do that we all go take a course though the University of Arkansas online and promise to devote a certain number of hours of volunteer work and continuing education each year,” Thomas said. “We hold seminars throughout the year and want to bring back the idea that gardening is important for our livelihood and our planet.”
The club meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Ash Flat Library at 10 a.m. for their regular membership meeting. Following each meeting, beginning at 11 a.m. a monthly educational workshop is offered. Both the meeting and workshop are open to the public.
“They’re welcome to come to the general meeting too. The educational part of our program is especially important because it addresses a wide variety of timely topics,” Thomas said.
For more information, contact Cody Stroud the Sharp County Extension Office by calling 870-994-7363.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
