Journal of NACAA

Do Oyster Gardening Programs Lead to Knowledge Changes?

ISSN 2158-9429

Volume 12, Issue 2 - December 2019

Editor: Bindu Poudel-Ward

Abstract

Extension programs, such as oyster gardening, employ change in participant knowledge as a metric of success.  A 5-point Likert scale (SD-SA) was used to measure respondents’ perceived oyster knowledge defined by oyster reproduction, feeding, ecosystem position, effects on habitat, water quality and erosion, before and after participation in oyster gardening.  Responses from eleven gardening programs of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts were collected. Significant increases in perceived knowledge in participants was found in early periods of engagement. Differences were found among levels, suggesting participants in some programs perceived their knowledge of oysters to be higher post-participation than others.