‘Yard of Month’ Contest Ready For Applications
RISON – The Cleveland Coutny Master Gardeners and the Cleveland County Cultivators garden club is now taking nominations for its new “Yard of the Month” program.
Malinda Berry, a member of both organizations, said the “Yard of the Month” program is to recognize county residents who “make an extraordinary effort in improving and maintaining their property,” and the property “contributes to the overall appearance of the community.”
The “Yard of the Month” will be awarded for the months of May through December with the November winner being dedicated to the yard featuring the best fall/Halloween decorations and the December winner dedicated to the best Christmas decorations.
Applications for yards to be considered must be turned in a month in advance. For instance, the deadline for turning in applications for “May Yard of the Month” is March 31, while June is April 30, July is May 31, August is June 30, September is July 31, October is Aug. 31, November is Sept. 30 and December is Oct. 31.
“Yard of the Month” applications will be available here online soon or can currently be picked up by visiting the Cleveland County Cooperative Extension Office at 501 East Magnolia in Rison or the Cleveland County Herald office at 215 Main Street in downtown Rison.
Berry said yards will be judged on overall appearance, tidiness and neatness of the front of the property. She said judges will be looking for pruned, trimmed and shaped foliage, edged and defined lawns, borders and flowerbeds. Other factors that will be considered include design and landscaping, including use of color and texture, and curb appeal.
All residents of Cleveland County are eligible for the award. Winners will have a “Yard of the Month” sign posted on their property for the duration of the winning month.
Purpose
The Yard of the Month Program is being established to recognize residents of Cleveland County Arkansas who make extraordinary effort in improving and maintaining their property, that contribute to the overall appearance of the community and help promote the goals of the Cleveland County Master Gardeners and County Cultivators.
General Information
The Yard of the Month Guidelines and application will be available online at www.ClevelandCountyArkansas.com or picked up at Cleveland County Extension office,501 E. Magnolia St., Rison Arkansas or Cleveland County Herald office, 215 Main St., Rison, Arkansas. Photos must accompany application. Nominations for Yard of the Month may be made by someone other than the property owner with owner’s permission and agreement in writing to follow guidelines.
Click Here for Application
A Yard of the Month will be selected for the following months:
| Month | Application Deadline | Judging Date |
| May | March 31 | Mid April |
| June | April 30 | Mid May |
| July | May 31 | Mid June |
| August | June 30 | Mid July |
| September | July 31 | Mid August |
| October | August 31 | Mid September |
| November | September 30 | Mid October |
| December | October 31 | Mid November |
Winner will be notified by the end of the month prior to award month and a Yard of the Month sign placed in their yard, photos taken for website and newspaper publication.
Guidelines
1. The Yard of the Month program will be managed by a committee made up of at least three, but no more than five, volunteers who are members of Cleveland County Master Gardeners or County Cultivators.
2. All citizens who live within Cleveland County are automatically eligible.
3. Award winners are selected based on the judging criteria, factors and guidelines listed in this document.
4. The upkeep and maintenance of the yard may be by property owners, residents/tenants or a professional landscaper or groundskeeper.
5. An award duration term is approximately a single calendar month and runs until the following month’s winner has been notified. Durations may vary due to judging schedules and holidays.
6. No more than one Yard of the Month recipient will be selected in a single month.
7. Winners are expected to maintain their yard during their award month in the same manner that allowed them to win the title.
8. Winners must be willing to have photos of their yard taken and published in the Cleveland County Herald and the Cleveland County Arkansas website. Winners will be contacted prior to releasing information to said newspaper and website.
General Judging Factors
Judging factors for the months of May through October include the overall appearance, tidiness and neatness of the front of the property as evidenced by pruned, trimmed and shaped foliage, edged and defined lawns, borders and flowerbeds. Judges will utilize the following factors when selecting Yard of the Month winners:
Yard Maintenance:
Healthy lawn, neatly mowed and edged; pruned and trimmed shrubs and trees; healthy, living plants, minimum weeds in flowerbeds; yard free of debris and clutter.
Design and Landscaping:
Use of color and texture; creative, unique curb appeal; pleasing appearance making the property an asset to the community.
November and December Criteria
Holiday Yard of the Month candidates for November (Halloween/Fall decorations) and December (Christmas decorations) will be judged solely on the total exterior appearance of their property and front yard as viewed from the front including the overall appearance of the decoration on the front of the property. Judges will utilize the following factors when selecting Holiday yard of the Month candidates:
Design:
Use of color and texture; creative, unique curb appeal; pleasing appearance making the property an asset to the community.
Holiday Spirit:
Use of materials: lights, sounds, inflatables, figures, etc.; creative use of holiday imagery and symbols; unique, inventive and thoughtful layout.
Award Schedule
Award winners will be selected as close to the beginning of each month as possible. The winner will confirm their willingness to participate upon being contacted. If the first participant/selection declines to participate, the Cleveland County Yard of the Month committee will then choose another property.
Awards
All award winners receive an official “Yard of the Month” lawn sign to be placed on their property for the duration of their award and recognition in Cleveland County Herald and ClevelandCountyArkanssas.com website.