LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas State Parks announced a new partnership with Apple Seeds, a nonprofit nutrition education organization, to establish a Central Arkansas Teaching Farm at Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
The project, in partnership with the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation, is made possible through a new Concessionaire Lease Agreement approved May 1, 2026. The agreement authorizes Apple Seeds to begin developing garden and educational infrastructure on park property.
The partnership will transform approximately two acres near the historic Butterfield House into a hands-on learning farm and outdoor teaching kitchen designed to serve thousands of Arkansas students each year.
The site will support field trips, after-school programs, summer camps and community events beginning as early as fall 2026.
Apple Seeds’ mission is to ignite a lifelong love of fresh food by connecting education to gardening, nutrition and hands-on culinary experiences. Its existing programs reach more than 20,000 students annually across Arkansas, including 4,500 students already participating in Central Arkansas programming.
The new Teaching Farm aims to expand that reach to 15,000 students per year by 2029. Students will learn to plant, harvest, prepare and enjoy fresh foods in a natural outdoor setting.
The Teaching Farm will also grow food to be donated to food-insecure families, increasing access to fresh food.
Partnering with Arkansas State Parks and bringing the model to Pinnacle Mountain State Park aligns with the state’s goals of improving childhood health, strengthening outdoor education, enhancing workforce development and expanding access to health-supportive community resources.
The teaching farm also supports Arkansas State Parks’ commitment to outdoor education and stewardship. By integrating farm-based learning into the park’s programming, the project connects children and families to Arkansas’ natural landscapes in new and meaningful ways.
The Concessionaire Lease Agreement allows Apple Seeds to begin garden construction and limited programming before future planned improvements to the Butterfield House and Barn. This transitional period is intended to ensure educational activities can continue without interruption while long-term facilities are prepared.
For more information about the Apple Seeds Teaching Farm, contact mary@appleseedsar.org or call 479-966-6424.
