NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF GREATER SALT LAKE AREA
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Katie Wagner
Horticultural Agent
Utah State University
Salt Lake City
Abstract
522 greater Salt Lake area residents were surveyed at the 2012 Salt Lake Tribune Home and Garden Show in Salt Lake County in March 2012. Salt Lake County houses over 1 million residents. The 2011 Salt Lake Tribune Home and Garden Show attracted over 34,000 attendees. The survey asked residents (1) if they contact the Extension service with lawn and garden questions, (2) preferences regarding pesticide use in their fruit and vegetable garden, (3) interest in reducing or eliminating pesticide use in the garden, (4) interest in attracting pollinators to the garden, and (5) preferences for accessing gardening information from USU Extension. 38% of residents contact the Extension Service with gardening questions. 21% of respondents use pesticides in their garden but 81% of pesticide users would like to reduce or eliminate pesticide use. 82% of respondents would like to learn how to attract pollinators to their garden. Due to survey results, USU Extension in Salt Lake County plans to offer more 'green gardening' information and programming to help residents reduce pesticide use and attract pollinators to the garden. Fact sheets were the most popular form of gardening information (67% respondents would use), followed by email contact with a knowledgeable gardener (57%),gardening classes (52%), online gardening videos (50%), gardening blog (34%), helpline via phone (29%), walk into the Extension Service office (18%), and Facebook (15%). The variation in replies indicated that residents prefer to access gardening information through multiple sources. Due to survey responses, USU Extension in Salt Lake County plans to expand our capability to answer gardening questions via email, create an online blog focused around low pesticide gardening, and post 'green gardening' videos online.
Authors: Wagner, K.
-
Wagner, K. Horticultural Agent, Utah State University, Utah, 84190