Arkansas State Parks, today, announced a new partnership with Apple Seeds, a nonprofit nutrition‑education organization, to establish a Central Arkansas Teaching Farm at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. This project, in partnership with the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation, is made possible through a new Concessionaire Lease Agreement, approved May 1, 2026, which 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. Their 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, with students learning to plant, harvest, prepare and enjoy fresh foods in a natural outdoor setting. The Teaching Farm will also grow food that will be donated to food-insecure families, increasing access to fresh food.
Partnering with Arkansas State Parks and bringing this 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 in advance of future planned improvements to the Butterfield House and Barn. This transitional period ensures that educational activities continue without interruption while long‑term facilities are prepared.
To contact Apple Seeds Teaching Farm, please contact mary@appleseedsar.org or call 479-966-6424 for more information.
Arkansas State Parks: Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Arkansas state parks and museums cover 55,006 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities, and unique historic and cultural resources. Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state's economy through tourism and provide leadership in resource conservation. Connect with ASP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and visit ArkansasStateParks.com and ArkansasStateParks.com/media to learn more.