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Consumer horticulture encompasses interior and exterior ornamental, food, and community gardening. These activities influence the environment in many ways, affecting water quality and quantity, waste management, wildlife, and environmental sustainability. Consumer horticulture also impacts human health and well-being. In spite of keen consumer interest and the robust commercial impact, there is a paucity of support for consumer horticulture at both the state and federal levels. To explore strategies for increasing support for consumer horticulture, a workshop with four presentations was held at the annual conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science on 31 July 2014 in Orlando, FL. Presentations described the formation of a new Southern Experiment Extension/Research Activity, Landscapes and Gardens for Better Living (SERA44); the local funding sources and local issues that focus research, education, and extension efforts in consumer horticulture; and the need to develop shared goals to drive regional projects. The need for a national strategic plan for consumer horticulture, and a process for creating one, was outlined. A strategic plan could galvanize the support of diverse stakeholders; focus research, education, and extension efforts; and build a strong case for resources dedicated to consumer horticulture.
Ellen M. Bauske; Gary R. Bachman; Tom Bewick; Lucy Bradley; David Close; Rick Durham; Mary Hockenberry Meyer. The Case for a National Strategic Plan for Consumer Horticulture Research, Education, and Extension. HortTechnology 2015, 25, 477 -479.
AMA StyleEllen M. Bauske, Gary R. Bachman, Tom Bewick, Lucy Bradley, David Close, Rick Durham, Mary Hockenberry Meyer. The Case for a National Strategic Plan for Consumer Horticulture Research, Education, and Extension. HortTechnology. 2015; 25 (4):477-479.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEllen M. Bauske; Gary R. Bachman; Tom Bewick; Lucy Bradley; David Close; Rick Durham; Mary Hockenberry Meyer. 2015. "The Case for a National Strategic Plan for Consumer Horticulture Research, Education, and Extension." HortTechnology 25, no. 4: 477-479.
Communication is a critical issue for consumer horticulture specialists and extension agents. They must communicate effectively with the public interested in gardening, with Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers and with other scientists. A workshop was held at the Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science on 22 July 2013 in Palm Desert, CA, with the intent of sharing tips and techniques that facilitated consumer horticulture and EMG programming. Presentations focused on communication. One program leader reported on the North Carolina Master Gardener web site, which integrates an online volunteer management system (VMS) with widely available web tools to create one-stop shopping for people who want to volunteer, get help from volunteers, or support volunteers at both the county and state level. Another program used the state VMS to house videos providing continuing education (CE) training required for EMG volunteers. This training is available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. Agents created the videos by recording live presentations with widely available, screen capture software and a microphone. Features that make the social media site Pinterest a strong tool for gathering together focused programming resources and professional collaboration were outlined. Finally, the use of a compact, subirrigated gardening system that uses peat-based potting mix was suggested as a means to simplify communication with new urban gardeners and address their unique gardening issues.
Ellen M. Bauske; Gary R. Bachman; Lucy Bradley; Karen Jeannette; Alison Stoven O’Connor; Pamela J. Bennett. Consumer Horticulture Outreach: Communication Challenges and Solutions. HortTechnology 2014, 24, 266 -269.
AMA StyleEllen M. Bauske, Gary R. Bachman, Lucy Bradley, Karen Jeannette, Alison Stoven O’Connor, Pamela J. Bennett. Consumer Horticulture Outreach: Communication Challenges and Solutions. HortTechnology. 2014; 24 (3):266-269.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEllen M. Bauske; Gary R. Bachman; Lucy Bradley; Karen Jeannette; Alison Stoven O’Connor; Pamela J. Bennett. 2014. "Consumer Horticulture Outreach: Communication Challenges and Solutions." HortTechnology 24, no. 3: 266-269.
Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers are central to expanding the outreach and engagement of extension staff. A workshop format was used at the Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science on 31 July 2012 in Miami, FL to identify successful management techniques and projects that expand EMG volunteer outreach, leading to increased extension effectiveness. One program leader described how EMGs manage a farmer’s market that has been thriving for more than 30 years, generating income for the EMG program as well as the county extension office. Another program leader described a beneficial partnership between EMGs and the university in which EMGs grow plants for demonstration gardens and classroom use, facilitating learning for university students, EMGs, and the public. EMGs in another program have assumed much of the management role of the university orchard, using it for teaching and demonstrations. The final discussion focused on extension programs that used volunteers to assist in conducting research to expand extension’s capabilities, and also increasing EMGs’ understanding of the research process. All projects emphasized the need for extension agents to empower volunteers to take on leadership and decision-making roles as well as the value of EMGs to extension.
Pamela J. Bennett; Ellen M. Bauske; Alison Stoven O’Connor; Jean Reeder; Carol Busch; Heidi A. Kratsch; Elizabeth Leger; Angela O’Callaghan; Peter J. Nitzsche; Jim Downer. Farmer’s Market, Demonstration Gardens, and Research Projects Expand Outreach of Extension Master Gardeners. HortTechnology 2013, 23, 411 -415.
AMA StylePamela J. Bennett, Ellen M. Bauske, Alison Stoven O’Connor, Jean Reeder, Carol Busch, Heidi A. Kratsch, Elizabeth Leger, Angela O’Callaghan, Peter J. Nitzsche, Jim Downer. Farmer’s Market, Demonstration Gardens, and Research Projects Expand Outreach of Extension Master Gardeners. HortTechnology. 2013; 23 (4):411-415.
Chicago/Turabian StylePamela J. Bennett; Ellen M. Bauske; Alison Stoven O’Connor; Jean Reeder; Carol Busch; Heidi A. Kratsch; Elizabeth Leger; Angela O’Callaghan; Peter J. Nitzsche; Jim Downer. 2013. "Farmer’s Market, Demonstration Gardens, and Research Projects Expand Outreach of Extension Master Gardeners." HortTechnology 23, no. 4: 411-415.
Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers are key to effective dissemination of horticultural information to the public. The goal of this workshop was to identify techniques to increase the capacity and effectiveness of EMG volunteers. The workshop focused on projects and tools that reduce the administrative burden of managing volunteers, increase the scope of issues that volunteers are prepared to address, and pool volunteer efforts and resources across county lines. Two online systems for managing and reporting EMG volunteer activities were described. Both systems are intuitive, user-friendly, and updated without the assistance of web managers. Regional web-based, advanced training on specific topics was used to expand educational messages of EMG volunteers and eliminate the costs associated with face-to-face training. Presentations were made using distance learning technologies and resources were shared online. Hosting agents tailored hands-on supporting activities to meet local needs. Volunteers expanded extension outreach by answering noncommercial landscape and garden telephone questions. Many of the administrative, logistical, and resource burdens associated with the EMG helpline phone service were overcome by working across county lines, standardizing training, centralizing supporting resources, and clustering volunteers into regional telephone helpline offices. Other projects and tools presented in the workshop focused on the need to affirm and/or foster the volunteers' connection with the university and the outreach mission of Cooperative Extension.
Ellen M. Bauske; Lelia Kelly; Kerry Smith; Lucy Bradley; Timothy Davis; Pam Bennett. Increasing Effectiveness of Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener Volunteers. HortTechnology 2011, 21, 150 -154.
AMA StyleEllen M. Bauske, Lelia Kelly, Kerry Smith, Lucy Bradley, Timothy Davis, Pam Bennett. Increasing Effectiveness of Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener Volunteers. HortTechnology. 2011; 21 (2):150-154.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEllen M. Bauske; Lelia Kelly; Kerry Smith; Lucy Bradley; Timothy Davis; Pam Bennett. 2011. "Increasing Effectiveness of Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener Volunteers." HortTechnology 21, no. 2: 150-154.