TEACHING YOUTH AND ADULTS PLANT PROPAGATION TO INCREASE HORTICULTURAL SUCCESS AND PRODUCTION
4-H & Youth
Stephen Sagers
4-H Agent
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
TOOELE
Abstract
Utah is a high mountain desert with a short growing season in many places. Propagating plants in greenhouses helps extend the gardening season by increasing production and space efficiency. Like most of the nation, gardening interest in Utah has increased. Utah State University (USU) Extension Service responded to this need in many ways. Salt Lake School District built greenhouses for elementary schools and then tried to figure out what they were for and how to use them. Other districts implemented curriculum that is directly related to plant propagation and growing plants. The authors brought together the resources of USU Extension Service and its 4-H program, the Master and Junior Master Gardener programs, Tooele City, Tooele County and Thanksgiving Point Gardens. The authors devised and implemented numerous plant propagation workshops for youth and adults. In addition to informal 4-H Leadermete and Super Saturday training and classes, many teachers and Master Gardeners took four-week courses in personal Greenhouse Management and Construction, Growing Plants in the Greenhouse and Home Vegetable Production. The training was funded by school district grants and funding from counties, cities, Thanksgiving Point Gardens and Master Gardeners. Class participants returned to their classrooms, 4-H clubs, communities and other groups to share their knowledge. Helping them learn how to propagate plants successfully was critical for them to help educate their students and the public. Evaluations showed important experience gained, a significant increase in horticultural knowledge and increases in garden production in their personal and community gardens.
Authors: Francis, D., Sagers, S.L., Sagers, * L.A..
-
Francis, D. State 4-H Specialist, Utah State University Extension, Utah, 84322
-
Sagers, S.L. 4-H Agent, Utah State University Extension, Thanksgiving Point Office, Utah, 84074
-
Sagers, * L.A.. Horticulture Specialist, Utah State University Extension, Thanksgiving Point Office, Utah, 84043