White County’s Ferren named Arkansas Governor’s Award winner at state 4-H O-Rama

FAYETTEVILLE — Ellie Ferren, the 2025 winner of the Arkansas 4-H Governor’s Award, is a woman whose community service and career aspirations are driven by her green thumb, work ethic and compassion for those in need.
The Governor’s Award, the highest honor given by the Arkansas 4-H youth development program, was announced Wednesday during the Awards of Excellence ceremony at State O-Rama, the program’s annual gathering on the University of Arkansas campus.
As one of four finalists for the award, Ferren, along with Caitlin Cooper of White County, Connor Henry of Arkansas County, and Victoria Hickman of Greene County, were interviewed by a panel of judges in June. Each of the finalists earned a $1,000 scholarship and a commemorative glass bowl.
Ferren, the state winner in the 4-H Gardening/Horticulture competition in 2024, has loved gardening since age 6 and has been a longtime member of the White County Master Gardener program.
“It’s fun because I get to be outdoors and get dirty!” she said.
Sherri Sanders, White County extension agent, said Ferren consistently earns more than the 40 volunteer hours per year required to maintain her membership. In 2023 and 2024, she donated more than 300 hours each year to the county’s Master Gardener program. In 2023, she was named White County Master Gardener of the Year and the following year, the Green Thumbs 4-H Club that she helped start, earned the Friend of the Master Gardeners Award.
In May, Ferren was named recipient of the 2025 White County Master Gardner Scholarship and plans to attend Southern Arkansas University with major in plant science and a minor in art.
Ferren is founder of the Seeds to Feed project, in which she collected seed packets that were delivered to 15 food pantries in her county.

“Ellie knows growing your food provides more than just nutrition. It's growing seeds of hope, joy, and empowerment!” Sanders said. “I even heard encouraging feedback about a homeless couple who planted Seeds to Feed seeds and were surprised ‘the seeds worked!’ They had come back looking for more.”
Ferren served as an Arkansas Rice Rep, was a member of the County Forestry Team, and leads the Green Thumbs 4-H program, a youth program at the intersection of 4-H and the Master Gardener program. She completed Rodney Smith Jr.’s 50-yard challenge, volunteering to mow lawns for single parents, veterans, elderly neighbors and anyone else who could use some help. She also has more than three dozen community service projects to her name. Ferren also loves art and paints when she can.
“This kid works!” Sanders said.
“Along with her undeniable talent, Ellie is an absolute joy to be around. She is a true team player and always manages to be professional and bring out the best out of others,” said White County 4-H Agent Jan Yingling.
Ferren said she was exploring several career options including farmer, florist or landscape artist, which would combine her love of horticulture and art.
“4-H has helped me learn more about farming and horticulture, how to meet goals, and the importance of helping others,” she said. “I think these skills will help me in the future and I look forward to having many more opportunities because of 4-H!”
The Governor’s Award was created in the early 1980s by then-4-H director, Darlene Baker Millard, as a way to recognize high-achieving Arkansas 4-H members.