Enhancing Horticulture Education Needs Assessments Through Annual Tracking of Public Interactions
Extension Education
Joshua Martin
Assistant Professor in Horticulture
Utah State University
Cedar City
Abstract
Needs assessments are a major driver of programs that are created and utilized in extension. These assessments give extension professionals valuable insight into the information that is deemed the most important and useful to the people they serve. A variety of methods are used to collect data for needs assessments such as surveys, interviews, meetings with stakeholders, utilizing past surveys, among others. In Iron County Utah during 2024, interactions with the public was tracked in order to better understand the horticulture needs of Iron County residents. This information was collected primarily from members of the public soliciting help from the local extension office through office visits, site visits, emails, and phone calls. Tracking was done by creating main topics (e.g. fruit trees, vegetables, weeds) brought up by residents and further tracked by marking the need as: informational, a problem, or a how-to question. Information collected has helped faculty understand the overall horticultural needs of Iron County and given further insight about important horticultural issues encountered by local residents. The information gathered will be used as a major consideration when creating future programming and enhancing existing programs such as the Master Gardener course, local workshops and classes.
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: Joshua Martin
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Martin, J. Assistant Professor in Horticulture, Utah State University Extension Faculty, Utah, 84721