Akins named 2017 Master Gardener of the Year

Akins named 2017 Master Gardener of the Year

Currie and Keck honored at year’s end

Special to the Times MARION — Melinda Akins is the 2017 Crittenden County Master Gardener of the Year. This distinguished honor was given to Mrs. Akins at the December meeting of the local chapter of The Crittenden County Master Gardeners, a program from the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. The award is based on amount of service, time devoted to education and involvement in activities through the Extension Service. Akins donated 173.75 hours to service and invested 138 hours in further education. Akins also received her 5 Year Pin back in September. Akins has been involved in assisting 4H meetings and preparing meals for special extension office events. She is heavily involved in making the annual plant sale a successful event for the gardeners. While she has held various leadership positions in the past, this year Akins will serve as Secretary for the group.

Georgia Keck received her 10-Year Pin and Brenda Currie received her 5-Year Pin at the November monthly meeting.

Begun in 2006, the Crittenden County Master Gardeners oversee and maintain seven local demonstration gardens, provide educational opportunities for the general public and host a plant sale where the proceeds of the sale go to a scholarship fund for students who pursue an agriculture or horticulture degree in college. To date the group has raised four scholarships. The opportunity to become a Master Gardener is available through the Extension Service’s training program. To learn more about how you can become a Master Gardener, please contact the local office at (870) 7393239.

From Jeff Tacker