1. Benefits, Challenges and Opportunities
for Improving the Effectiveness of Demonstration Gardens as
Educational Tools for Cooperative Extension
Charlotte D. Glen 1, Gary E. Moore1, K. S. U. Jayaratne1, Lucy K. Bradley2
NCSU, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences - Dept. of Agriculture and Extension Education1; Department of Horticultural Science2
Raleigh, North Carolina
ABSTRACT FINDINGS
Demonstration gardens are common features of Location of Gardens
Extension horticultural programming, yet little Garden Characteristics: Fifty gardens developed and maintained by Extension staff and volunteers are currently utilized in 34 counties in North Carolina.
research exists on how they can best be utilized
or the challenges and benefits they present. This Size of Gardens Year Initiated Location of Gardens Plant Composition
descriptive study investigated characteristics of Less than 1000 sq. ft. 12 1981-1985 1
State
Property
Cooperative Extension demonstration gardens in 14
8% Other
Edible
1000 to 5000 sq. ft. 1986-1990 3 6%
North Carolina, how they are managed and used Non Profit
Only
5001 sq.ft. to 0.5 acres 7 20%
1991-1995 6
as educational tools by Extension agents and the Property
10%
0.51 to 1.5 acres 6 Mixed
perceived benefits and challenges. 1996-2000 7
Extension 46%
Other County Center
1.51 to 5.0 acres 7 2001-2005 15 50% Ornamental
Property
14% Only
Agents develop gardens to enhance their non- Over 5.0 acres 4 2006-2010 18 34%
formal education efforts, enable self-directed Number of gardens Number of gardens
learning, engage volunteers, and build County Park
12%
partnerships. The majority of gardens are less
than one half acre in size, include both edible and
ornamental plantings, and are heavily supported Garden Utilization: Gardens are being utilized to enhance non-formal education, enable self-directed learning, engage volunteers, and build partnerships.
by volunteers. Though many agents were found to
be fully utilizing gardens to enhance non-formal
education, few were fully employing practices that Garden Utilization to Enhance Non-Formal Education Targeted Audiences
enable self-directed learning, or evaluating the Guided tours 97% Most Commonly Demonstrated
93%
garden’s outcomes and impacts. 67%
Principles and Practices
Garden demonstrations 79%
73% • Food Production, 83%
Agents perceived the greatest benefits of • Water Conservation, 59%
Audiences are directly involved in planning and development
• Plant Selection, 59%
gardens to be their efficacy as an educational 83%
• Composting, 52%
Interactive workshops
delivery method, their ability to enhance the 90%
31% 31%
• Native Plants, 52%
overall program, their capacity to provide Audiences are directly involved in garden maintenance
opportunities for meaningful volunteer service and 93%
facilitate the development of partnerships. The Home Master
Gardeners Gardeners
Youth Green
Industry
Teachers
greatest challenges of incorporating gardens Most Frequently Identified
into Extension programming were perceived to be Partners and Supporters
Techniques to Support Self-Directed Learning Frequency of • Extension Master Gardener 88%
availability of time, money, and volunteer support. • Garden Centers, 67%
Website Volunteer Involvement • County Government, 63%
10% • Garden Clubs, 34%
It was concluded that demonstration gardens are Brochures Never
• Landscape Companies, 34%
an appropriate and effective educational delivery 20% 3%
Self guiding tour brochure
method for Extension programming. When 33% Occasionally
14%
developing gardens, particular emphasis should Interpretive signage Charlotte Glen
53%
be given to engaging volunteers. Additional Plantings in scale with home landscape Extension Agent – Horticulture
recommendations are to integrate the garden 60% charlotte_glen@ncsu.edu
Seating areas allow reflection 910-259-1392
into the entire Extension program, to employ 60%
Regularly 83%
multiple practices to enhance self-directed Paths provide access
67%
learning, and to develop a framework for Educational theme
evaluation that captures the garden’s full impact. 83%
Plants labeled
87%