GARDEN CENTER GURU
Extension Education
Brooke Moffis
Commercial Horticulture Agent III
UF/IFAS Extension, Lake County
TAVARES
Abstract
Master Gardeners in Lake and Sumter Counties reach over 4,000 residents annually through traditional plant clinics. It is imperative that Master Gardeners know how to identify slow release fertilizers and active ingredients of pesticides in order to aid residential horticulture clientele. Garden Center Guru is an opportunity for Master Gardener Trainees to use University of Florida research based information taught in the classroom to evaluate products offered at a local retail garden center. The objective of Garden Center Guru is that 80% of Master Gardener Trainees will be proficient at identifying slow release fertilizers and active ingredients of common pesticides. Proficiency was evaluated by a hands-on “seek and find” quiz with teams of 2 participants delivered at a local garden center. 91% (n=75) of 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013 Master Gardener Trainees scored 80% or higher on the quiz and were proficient at identifying slow release fertilizers, active ingredients and brand names of pesticides. Master Gardener Trainees are now better able to recommend products available at local retail garden centers to residential horticulture clients. This training gives Master Gardeners and the residential horticulture clientele they reach the knowledge needed to select UF/IFAS recommended fertilizer and pesticide treatments to solve their landscape problems. It also gives participants the ability to comparative shop for lawn and landscape products that will save the Master Gardener and homeowner money and effort spent on landscape maintenance.
\r\n
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.
A poster file has not been provided
Authors: B.L. Moffis, J.E. Davis
-
Moffis, B. RESIDENTIAL HORTICULTURE AGENT II, UF/IFAS LAKE COUNTY EXTENSION, Florida, 32778
-
Davis, J. URBAN HORTICULTURE AGENT I, UF/IFAS SUMTER COUNTY EXTENSION, Florida, 33513