Welcome Home: Growing New Audiences
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Seth Whitehouse
Extension Agent
UT Extension
Clinton
Abstract
Tennessee’s rapid population growth has increased demand for horticulture information from new residents who are often unfamiliar with Extension services. To address this need, and expand Extension’s reach to newly emerging clientele, the University of Tennessee horticulture Extension team developed an entry-level, magazine-style publication, “Welcome Home: Gardening in Tennessee”, and implemented it through a coordinated statewide outreach. In fall of 2023, the publication was debuted alongside a five-part educational series delivered across 32 counties. Participants received printed copies of the publication, which served as a foundational resource for webinars and hands-on demonstrations. Educational content focused on Tennessee-specific climate and soils, home food production, turfgrass management, woody plants, and herbaceous ornamentals, providing practical, locally relevant guidance for new homeowners. Through program evaluation we gathered that more than 70% of participants were non-traditional Extension clients, demonstrating successful engagement of new audiences across the state. Participants reported an estimated value exceeding $950 per household based on knowledge gained throughout the program. The program also increased awareness of local Extension resources and encouraged continued participation in county-level educational programs. This publication-based outreach demonstrates a statewide approach for Extension to engage new clientele, broaden clientele diversity, and strengthen horticulture education efforts. This comprehensive, but unique format could be utilized by other extension professionals across the nation as a way to reach and maintain a growing horticulture audience.
Authors: Seth Whitehouse
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Seth Whitehouse Extension Agent, University of Tennessee, Tennessee, 37716