USING A HANDS-ON APPROACH TO TEACH VEGETABLE GARDENING AND TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY EATING AMONG ADULTS
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Linda Seals
EXTENSION AGENT II
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Cocoa
Abstract
Fletcher, J.H.1, Scalera, S.A.2, Seals,* L.M.3, Shephard, E.C.4\r\n\r\n1. County Extension Director, University of Florida/IFAS Extension, Brevard County, Cocoa, Florida 32926\r\n2. Urban Horticulture Agent, University of Florida/IFAS Extension, Brevard County, Cocoa, Florida 32926\r\n3. Commercial Horticulture Agent, University of Florida/IFAS Extension, Brevard County, Cocoa, Florida 32926\r\n4. Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, University of Florida/IFAS Extension, Brevard County, Cocoa, Florida 32926\r\n\r\n Interest in backyard vegetable gardens and small farm vegetable production has increased significantly in recent years. Many factors have contributed to the increased interest including rising grocery costs, a desire to eat healthier, and fears of contaminated food. To meet the demand for information on how to grow backyard vegetables, and to encourage healthier eating among adults, a 12-week, hands-on class titled “Be Healthy, Grow Your Own: Vegetable Gardening in Florida” was created. The class was a collaborative effort between Family and Consumer Sciences, Horticulture, and Agriculture Extension agents. Participants were assigned a 20’x20’ garden plot (located on the Extension office campus) where they could practice the lessons learned during a weekly, two-hour lecture. They were provided with everything they needed for their garden including soil amendments, fertilizer, irrigation, seeds, and transplants, which were produced in the Extension greenhouse by Master Gardeners. Participants selected the vegetables they wanted to grow, and they kept everything they grew. The Horticulture and Agriculture agents taught all of the gardening sessions, and the Family and Consumer Sciences agent taught sessions on food safety, harvesting, cooking, and preserving fresh vegetables. To date, two classes have been delivered with nearly 80 participants in each class. A six-month, follow-up survey was delivered to participants in the first class (the second recently ended). Thirty-eight of the 41 participants who responded to the survey said they felt confident about vegetable gardening on their own after taking the class compared to only 11 who felt confident before taking the class. Thirty-two respondents indicated they planned to preserve their fresh vegetables after taking the class; only 12 participants planned to preserve vegetables before taking the class. More surveys will be conducted in the future to determine what impacts the program has had on producing and consuming fresh vegetables.
Authors: Seals, L.
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Seals, L. Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent, University Of Florida IFAS Extension, Florida, 32926