4-H plants Altheimer garden
The Altheimer Library Branch’s 4-H Community Garden was recently planted.
Jefferson County 4-H, in partnership with the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System’s Altheimer Branch, recently announced the planting.
4-H youths from Altheimer meet every second and fourth Tuesday to develop first-hand knowledge about agriculture. The 4-H club explores a wide variety of hands-on, learn-by-doing opportunities at each meeting, according to a news release.
County Agent Timothy Wallace, along with club leaders Meloney Darrough and Ceria Mays, have been working on this idea and working with the youths to develop the garden concept for months.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The youths started by planting seeds in cups to get seedlings and caring for them until it was time to put them into the garden.
Area gardeners and farmers joined them and volunteered to till the ground and make rows for the youths to plant.
To date, the youths have planted cherry and better boy tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, sweet peppers, radishes, purple hull peas, watermelon and sweet corn.
4-H is the premier youth development program conducted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service.
The four H’s emphasized — Head, Heart, Hands, and Health — are designed to prepare young people to step up to the challenges in their communities and provide youth with the skills to lead for a lifetime.
Any youth wanting to join the Altheimer 4-H Club or any 4-H Club should contact County Agent Timothy Wallace at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service, (870) 534-1033 or twallace@uada.edu or the Altheimer library.
Black Hall of Fame grant helps program
The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation awarded $50,000 in grants to projects benefiting minority and under-served communities, including a southeast Arkansas program.
The grants support projects focused on education, health and wellness, youth development, strengthening families and economic development in Arkansas, according to a news release.
Among the list of non-profit recipients was the Prevention Education Programs — Grand Prairie Healthy Families.
“Focusing on single, pregnant first-time mothers under the age of 25, this program enrolls mothers during the pre-natal period, or before their child is 3-months old,” according to the release. “Once enrolled they continue to receive services until the child turns three. The program primarily serves residents who reside in Arkansas County or the southern area of Prairie County or Monroe County.”
The online grant presentation was held May 30.
“We are pleased to support the efforts of grassroots and other nonprofit organizations in Arkansas through our grant program,” said Charles Stewart, ABHOF Foundation chairman. “Their work validates the mission of Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation. We are proud of our partnership with these great Arkansas institutions.”
For the list of recipients or details, visit www.arblackhalloffame.org.
VA sets virtual claims clinic
The Little Rock VA Regional Office will hold a virtual claims clinic for Arkansas veterans from 4-6 p.m. June 27. To reserve a timeslot, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 before 4 p.m. June 26, according to a news release.
Veterans may speak one-on-one to staff of the Little Rock VA Regional Office regarding their claims for VA benefits. Staff will also answer questions about PACT Act benefits, existing VA benefits claims, and assist with filing new claims.
The main office of the Little Rock VA Regional Office is located at 2200 Fort Roots Drive in North Little Rock and open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Veteran Assist Phone Line, 501-370-3829, is staffed Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WBU names locals to honors’ lists
Williams Baptist University at Walnut Ridge released the names of students on the President’s and Dean’s lists for the 2024 spring semester.
The President’s List includes those full-time students who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average, while the Dean’s List consists of those with at least a 3.5 GPA, according to a news release.
Southeast Arkansas honorees include:
BRADLEY COUNTY
President’s List — Warren: Ethan Stanley.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
President’s List — White Hall: Morgan Lunsford.
Dean’s List — Redfield: Thomas Corp.