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Successful Virtual Extension Horticulture Programming for Homeowners

Horticulture & Turfgrass

Timothy Daly
County Extension Agent
University of Georgia
McDonough

Abstract

Gwinnett County, GA, is a densely populated county of over 900,000 people, the second-largest in Georgia. Many residents are homeowners who do not always have the necessary knowledge to maintain their home landscapes, potentially impacting their value. UGA Extension Gwinnett offers educational programs to help improve the understanding of homeowners on various horticultural topics. We hold them as ‘Lunch and Learns’ and others in the evening. Subjects covered include lawn care, household pest control, xeriscaping, tree identification and care, vegetable gardening, and others given by subject matter experts from Extension and speakers from outside our organization. With the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, our Extension office had to switch to online instruction for our programs. In total, UGA Extension Gwinnett has held 39 programs for 714 participants. A program evaluation was sent to the participants. With 107 answering it, 50% responded that they prefer online-only, 42% prefer online or in-person, and 8% prefer in-person only. 83% said they would use the information obtained from the program to change the way they manage their home landscapes. Several respondents commented, “The classes were well organized with texts and detailed pictures. The explanations were clear and concise. Please continue these,” and “The programs have been quite helpful, and I have made positive changes to my gardening.”

Authors: Timothy Daly
  1. Timothy Daly County Extension Agent, University of Georgia Extension, Georgia, 30046-4804