By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — For many Arkansans, the start of a new year includes resolutions to exercise more and develop healthy habits. Walk Across Arkansas, an eight-week, group-based exercise program supported by the Cooperative Extension Service, is designed to help Arkansans get on their feet and connect with their peers.
GET MOVING, ARKANSAS — To help Arkansans get active, the Cooperative Extension Service's Walk Across Arkansas program asks participants to log their number of minutes spent being physically active each day. The free program is offered each spring and fall, and past participants list numerous benefits, including better sleep, lower stress levels and strengthened relationships with teammates. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)
The Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach and education arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, offers Walk Across Arkansas each spring and fall. Participants log their total number of minutes spent being physically active each day. Any moderate to vigorous physical activity that boosts the heart rate counts — not just walking.
Heather Wingo, extension health program associate for the Division of Agriculture, said Walk Across Arkansas helps participants improve their mental and physical health.
“Walk Across Arkansas is not just a step towards physical well-being,” she said. “It’s a stride towards a healthier, happier life.”
Registration for the spring 2024 session opens Feb. 26, and participants can register and log exercise minutes at walk.uada.edu/walk/. The competition starts March 11 and ends May 12. Teams can consist of one person and up to 30 people.
Program benefits
Past participants of the program have reported improved sleep, more energy, stress relief and weight loss, in addition to new relationships with Walk Across Arkansas teammates.
“This program helps people connect over a common goal and have fun achieving it,” Wingo said. “Participants often motivate each other through friendly competition with other teams in their community, and having the encouragement of your teammates is a great way to stay inspired.”
During the fall 2023 Walk Across Arkansas session, 464 Arkansans in 95 teams logged 1,188,942 physical activity minutes. Fifty-two of the state’s 75 counties were represented among participants.
Anyone can participate in Walk Across Arkansas. Division of Agriculture employees must use a personal email address, not their work email address, to register. Visit walk.uada.edu/walk/ to learn more and register or contact your local county extension agent.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.