HOME GARDENING SCHOOL - A LOCAL FOODS PROGRAM FOR THE "HEART OF OHIO" EXTENSION EDUCATION AND RESEARCH AREA
Extension Education
Gary Gao
Professor and Extension Specialist
Ohio State University South Centers
Piketon
Abstract
\r\n  Home gardening is defined as the production of fruits, vegetables, herbs and other edible plants in a non-commercial setting. There has been a strong demand for information on growing food crops by home gardeners due to slow economy and concerns for food safety. “Home Gardening School” has been offered in 2010 and 2011 to address this need. The educator offered this program as a Local Foods Program for the “Heart of Ohio” Extension Education and Research Area (E.E.R.A.). EERA is a new concept that fosters multi-county collaboration and addresses challenge with reduced field personnel in county offices. A program flyer was created by the Extension Educator with MS Word and was emailed to home gardeners and master gardener volunteers. Press releases have been sent to local new papers. The program fee was $25 per person. This program drew a combined attendance of 74 in 2010 and 2011. Some of the topics were “Container Gardening, Growing Tomatoes, Peppers and Green Beans, Growing Herbs, Growing Berries, and Growing and Using Microgreens.” More than 94% of have found our program topics helpful. Based on a 2010 survey, the meeting attendees estimated that “their new gained knowledge was worth $869 per person.” A similar trend followed in 2011. One attended wrote “priceless!” Another person wrote “Great program, Great Speakers, Great Location, and Great Lunch!” This program also generated approximately $700 in cost recovery back to our office and can serve as a good model for other county educator or agents.
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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.
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Authors: G.Y. Gao
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Gao, G. Extension Educator and Associate Professor, Ohio State University Extension - Delaware County, Ohio, 43015