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planting anything in the soil, to know the proper- ties in the dirt and what could possibly be lack- ing to produce beautiful flowers and shrubs and healthy, thriving vegeta- bles. She said to deter- mine what the soil needs, local residents can collect a pint of soil and take it to the Union County Extension Service office in El Dorado. Extension service workers will send the soil to a lab where the dirt will be analyzed and the landowner will be contacted with the results of the tests and given sug- gestions as to what the soil needs to enhance the growth of whatever the landowner wishes to plant. “Don’t guess – soil test,” she laughed.
Local Master Gardeners currently work at the South Arkansas Arboretum, the El Dorado City Hall and the cafe courtyard at Medical Center of South Arkansas. At City Hall, Barbie said the city pays for the mulch needed in the garden and plants and city workers assist Master Gardeners as they prepare the soil and plant flowers.
At MCSA, the hospital pays for materials and plants needed there and “we provide expertise and planting,” Barbie said.
They also assist children and teachers at Northwest Elementary School in El Dorado, to plant and main- tain gardens on the school campus and they assist with horticulture at Barton Library in El Dorado.
In order to raise money, theMasterGardenerslarg- est fundraiser is a plant sale during El Dorado’s annual Mayhaw Festival held the first Saturday in May. They also conduct a bulb sale and the pro- ceeds from that event are used to fund the Master Gardeners’ annual “Dirt Friends” festival. During the first “Dirt Friends”
event, Chris Wisinger, known as “The Bulb Hunter” was the speak- er. Barbie said he rescues bulbs from extinction and conducts education semi- nars about horticulture.
Of the 75 counties in Arkansas, Barbie said 67 to 68 have Master Gardener organizations that work with local University of Arkansas Extension Service offices through- out the state. The current president of the Union County Master Gardeners is Jean Eckert and vice president is Gina Mitchell. Linda Calk is secretary and Marilyn Joyner is treasur-
er. Barbie is past president of the county group and is also a member of the state advisory board.
The Luthers attend College Avenue Church of Christ and Barbie is a member of the South Arkansas Arboretum Board and serves on the Advertising and Promotion Commission.
At the state and com- munity levels, Luther described Union County Master Gardeners as indi- viduals who love what they do. “We are passionate about it and want to edu- cate people about growing things,” Barbie said.
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