The White County Master Gardeners have announced that the Pioneer Village Master Gardener Project has been selected as the 2025 Excellence in Education Award recipient—one of the highest statewide honors given to projects demonstrating significant educational impact and measurable learning outcomes.
For more than twenty years, Pioneer Village has served as a living educational environment, offering visitors an immersive look at how plants shaped daily life and survival during Arkansas’s pioneer era. What began as a small restoration project has transformed into a research-based teaching site, complete with heirloom plant collections, interpretive signage, hands-on workshops, youth programs, and demonstrations rooted in University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture recommendations.
A Model Project Serving Three Key Educational Audiences
The project was selected for meeting all three target audiences recognized by the Excellence in Education Award:
Youth and school groups, who participate in guided tours and interactive learning
Demonstration garden learners, who study historical crops, plant uses, and pioneer-era horticultural methods
Underserved audiences, including seniors and families seeking free or low-cost educational opportunities
597 Hours of Service and Expanding Educational Impact
In 2025, 21 White County Master Gardeners contributed 597.5 volunteer hours to maintaining Pioneer Village grounds, teaching visitors, expanding educational displays, and preserving historically authentic plantings. Their continued work ensures the Village remains both a horticultural resource and a cultural learning destination.
Pioneer Village previously earned the Arkansas Master Gardener State Project of the Year Award in 2023, but new educational milestones—including enhanced interpretive materials, additional partnerships, and increased visitor engagement—qualified it for this year’s Excellence in Education Award.
“Pioneer Village doesn’t just teach people how to grow plants; it teaches them why those plants mattered and how they shaped our heritage,” said Sherri Sanders, White County Extension Agent – Agriculture. “That deeper understanding is what makes this project extraordinary.”
A Statewide Example of Practical, Research-Based Education
The Excellence in Education Award honors programs that are practical, affordable, replicable, culturally relevant, and grounded in university research. Pioneer Village exemplifies each of these standards and continues to be recognized as a model project for Master Gardener programs across Arkansas.
Education Award for their outstanding educational contributions and community impact.
For more information on the White County Master Gardeners or opportunities to participate at Pioneer Village, contact the White County Cooperative Extension Service or visit uaex.uada.edu.
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