Good Growing: A Weekly Dissemination of Research-based Horticulture for Illinois
Extension Education
Emily Swihart
Educator
University of Illinois Extension
New Liberty
Abstract
Illinois Extension’s Good Growing initiative is a collaborative, research-based horticulture outreach effort led by Horticulture Educators Chris Enroth, Ken Johnson, and Emily Swihart. Together, the team combines expertise in landscape design, fruit and vegetable production, pest management, community forestry, native ecosystems, and home gardening to deliver timely, seasonally relevant content to diverse audiences across Illinois and beyond. Through a multi-modal suite of educational offerings—including a blog, podcast, webinars, videos, and a weekly newsletter—Good Growing strives to inform, inspire, and empower individuals to grow and maintain healthy, resilient landscapes. The program’s flexible delivery formats support a range of learning preferences, enabling participants to listen during commutes, watch short visual segments, or read concise horticultural updates from their inbox. This adaptability ensures continued engagement as digital consumption habits evolve, allowing Illinois Extension to remain relevant, accessible, and responsive to community needs. The weekly newsletter strengthens this reach by providing curated descriptions, links to new blog posts and podcasts, and a “From the Archives” feature that highlights timely, previously published resources. Since 2020, the Good Growing Blog has emerged as the most widely viewed Illinois Extension blog, surpassing 1.9 million total views. In 2025 alone, 52 new articles generated more than 289,000 page views. Shortened versions of each article are also distributed to 106 media outlets across 18 western Illinois counties, further extending the program’s impact. Regular reader feedback reinforces the blog’s value, offering questions, encouragement, and insights that guide ongoing content development. Launched in 2023, the Good Growing Grow Along enhances community engagement by inviting audiences to join the team in growing unique or lesser-known garden plants. Each year, participants receive seeds, species descriptions, monthly updates, and surveys to support their growing experience. Registration has reached capacity annually, demonstrating strong public interest. Complementing these efforts, the weekly Good Growing Podcast—available in both audio and video formats—delivered 51 new episodes in 2025, accumulating more than 56,000 plays. Covering topics from fruits and flowers to invasive species and pollinators, the podcast expands Extension’s reach and reinforces its role as a trusted horticulture resource.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
Click to view Poster
Authors: Emily Swihart, Emily Swihart, Chris Enroth, Ken Johnson
-
Swihart, E. Educator, , Iowa, 52765
-
Swihart, E. Horticulture Educator, Illinois Extension, Illinois, 61264
-
Enroth, C. Horticulture Educator, Illinois Extension, Illinois, 61455
-
Johnson, K. Horticulture Educator, Illinois Extension, Illinois, 62650