Home Horticulture Foundations
Extension Education
Brad Fowler
Urban Horticulture Agent
Clemson University
Georgetown
Abstract
Studies show that between 2019 and 2023, over 160,000 people moved to South Carolina from states with different climates, soils, and growing seasons. For these newcomers and existing residents interested in their home landscape, accessible and reliable horticultural information is essential. Home Horticulture Foundations addressed this need through a statewide hybrid educational program. The program delivered content via online webinars and optional field days. Webinar topics included soil basics, lawn and weed management, integrated pest management, landscape plant selection for the Southeast, landscape design, and weather-wise gardening for South Carolina's climate challenges. Two optional field days at the South Carolina Botanical Garden and Brookgreen Gardens provided hands-on experiences through guided tours and workshops on proper planting, irrigation, landscape equipment, and plant problem identification. In 2024, 41 people participated in the program: 23 chose the webinar-only option, 11 attended the webinar series plus the South Carolina Botanical Garden field day, and 7 participated in the webinar series plus the Brookgreen Gardens field day. Post-module and field day surveys revealed overwhelmingly positive responses with constructive feedback suggesting adjustments to fully on-demand delivery and more practical instruction surrounding “how-to” methods instead of conceptual theory. Program impacts include increased knowledge of proper horticultural practices, greater awareness of Clemson Extension resources, and establishing a sustainable educational model that efficiently serves South Carolina's growing population of home gardeners. This program successfully demonstrates how Extension can adapt traditional programming to meet the needs of today's residents through flexible learning options while maximizing agent resources.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Brad Fowler, Carmen Ketron, Stephanie Turner, Vicky Bertagnolli
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Fowler, B. Urban Horticulture Agent , Clemson Cooperative Extension, South Carolina, 29440
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Ketron, C. Urban Horticulture Agent, Clemson Cooperative Extension, South Carolina, 29505
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Turner, S. Horticulture Agent, Clemson Cooperative Extension, South Carolina, 29648
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Bertagnolli, V. Consumer Horticulture Extension Agent, Clemson Cooperative Extension, South Carolina, 29801