DIY: Grow your own groceries — extension can teach you how 

U of A System Division of Agriculture 

 Fast Facts: 

• Extension agents teach how to grow, prepare fruit and veggies 

• Single fruit or vegetable crop highlighted in each class 
• Future topics: salad greens, strawberries, herbs, cucumber, mushrooms 
• Register at www.uaex.edu/grow-groceries 

LITTLE ROCK — One trend that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued into 2021 is a greater interest among Arkansans in growing their own food.  

In response to frequently-asked gardening questions, the Cooperative Extension Service has developed a series of online “Grow Your Own Groceries” presentations to share agents’ expertise in growing and preparing fruits and vegetables.  

The one-hour live presentations are offered at noon on the first and third Thursday of each month. Each presentation highlights a different fruit or vegetable crop.  

“We’re seeing a lot more people interested in edible gardening,” said Krista Quinn, agriculture agent with the Lonoke County Extension office, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “People who are interested in landscaping and flowers are getting into growing their own food, and we also are seeing people who have no experience gardening suddenly have an interest. I think it’s great. Part of the reason we wanted to do this program is to give people as much information as we can to help them be successful — whether they have a small suburban garden or a larger traditional garden.” 

In each class, an agriculture agent or specialist will discuss selecting varieties, growing methods, and dealing with common pests and problems. Then, a family and consumer science agent will demonstrate how to prepare the produce in a healthy recipe. Agents and specialists from Benton, Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Lonoke, Miller, Pulaski, Washington, White and Woodruff counties are involved in the series. 

Upcoming classes include: 

Feb. 18 — Potatoes 

March 4 — Broccoli, Cauliflower and Cabbage 

March 18 — Salad greens 

April 1 — Strawberries 

April 15 — Herbs 

May 6 — Cucumbers 

“Being able to concentrate on a single crop at a time is a nice opportunity to focus on all the details of that crop — everything from selecting varieties that do well in Arkansas to common problems that gardeners encounter,” Quinn said. 

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. The class schedule and registration are available at www.uaex.edu/grow-groceries. 

This year’s series began in January with classes about spring peas and blackberries. More than 500 people from Arkansas and neighboring states registered for each of those classes. 

Most sessions include a 45-minute presentation with a question-and-answer. After the presentation, participants will receive relevant fact sheets on the fruit or vegetable and the featured recipe.