Author: Amanda Sears
Planning Unit: Madison County CES
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Plan of Work: Develop and Strengthen Leadership and Life Skills
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
In gardening, knowledge is power. Like life, much of gardening is outside our control. But by educating ourselves on the basic fundamentals of gardening we can learn how to recognize problems when they arise and how to manage them not only now but also in the future.
In the spring of 2024, the Madison County Horticulture Agent offered a series of classes called "The More You Know the Better You Grow". These were designed for all levels of gardeners. After each class she sent an evaluation to class participants. At the end of the growing season (late September), the Agent sent a follow up evaluation to see how impactful the class had been. Below are descriptions of each class as well results from the early and late season evaluations.
Raise the Roof: This class focused on the basics of growing plants in raised beds, including construction of the beds, plant selection and challenges.
Early results
30% of participants were new gardeners
100% of participants were going to raise at least part of their garden (vegetable, fruit, flower) in raised beds
86% felt better equipped to build their own raised bed
71% felt better equipped to take care of a raised bed
Late season results
100% said they used information they learned while attending the Raise the Roof class during their gardening season
67% reported their gardening experience was better because they attended the Raise the Roof gardening class
100% of participants plan to attend more classes at the Madison County Cooperative Extension Office
Home Landscape Basics: Discussed basic needs of landscaping such as choosing the right plant for the location, identifying problems and creating a landscaping plan
Early results
78% learned ways to amend the soils
78% learned the importance of soil testing
89% learned how to use a rain gauge
44% learned how to properly irrigate
89% learned the difference in compost and mulch
78% learned why weeding is important
78% know where to find other helpful resources
Late season results
100% used information they learned at the Landscape Basics class during their growing season
100% felt their gardening experience was better because of what they learned during the Landscape Basics class
100% plan to attend more classes at the Madison County Extension Office
Name That Pest: This class covered integrated pest management; diseases, insects and animal problems that are common in the garden, landscape and home
Early results
80% were able to identify problems and pests in their garden
80% learned about resources to help identify and control pests
100% learned why integrated pest management is important
100% recognized prevention is the first and best way to control problems in the garden
Late season results
100% felt that because of what they learned at the Name That Pest class they were better equipped to identify pests and problems in their garden because of this class
100% planned on attending more classes at the Madison County Extension Office
75% said that their garden and landscape was better because of what they learned during the Name That Pest class.
75% used less chemicals in their landscape because of what they learned during the Name That Pest class
In 2007, the Extension Service added an Agent for Horticulture to meet the change in Madison County ... Read More
Madison County residents continue to be overweight (68%) and obese (39%) which exceeds the state ave... Read More
According to National Science Foundation, “In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovat... Read More
According to YOUTH AND AGRICULTURE: KEY CHALLENGES AND CONCRETE SOLUTIONS, a coordinated response to... Read More