Bryant Public Schools is proud to partner with the Saline County Master Gardeners to bring a new educational and community resource to Hill Farm Elementary: a hoop house designed to support hands-on learning, sustainability, and community engagement.
The Saline County Master Gardeners, an organization dedicated to community beautification and education, currently oversee 26 projects across the county. For nearly a decade, the group has worked toward a vision of building a centrally located hoop house—an environmentally friendly, non-permanent greenhouse that uses solar energy to support plant growth. That vision, led by Bruce Schrader, is now a reality.
The project came together through a collaborative effort between Bryant Public Schools, the City of Bryant, and the Saline County Extension Office. The district provided land on the Hill Farm Elementary campus, creating a central location to serve communities across Saline County, including Alexander, Bauxite, Tull, Benton, Mabelvale, Sardis, East End, Haskell, Avilla, and Bryant.
The hoop house will serve as a vital workspace for starting plants in early spring, transplanting, and propagation. It will also support the Master Gardeners’ many community projects while providing opportunities to educate both members and the public on effective gardening techniques.
“This partnership brings meaningful, real-world learning opportunities to our students and staff,” said Hill Farm Elementary Principal Amie Horn. “Students can see firsthand how plants are grown and connect classroom learning to science, sustainability, and stewardship. It creates an environment where learning extends beyond the classroom and into the community."
Funding for the project was made possible through the Master Gardeners’ annual plant sale, which supports their work and provides scholarships for students pursuing careers in horticulture. In 2025, the organization raised enough funds not only to meet its commitments, but also to begin construction on the long-anticipated hoop house.
The hoop house represents Phase 1 of a larger vision for the site. Future plans include a pavilion for year-round educational programming and raised garden beds to expand vegetable production and hands-on learning opportunities.
Bryant Public Schools is honored to support this initiative and looks forward to the continued growth of this partnership, which will benefit students, families, and the entire Saline County community for years to come.
