Weekly Question-and-Answer Extension Radio Show Helps Listeners Adopt Environmentally Sound Horticulture Practices

Cooperative Extension has a long history of using radio broadcasts in educational programming. The Minneapolis, MN-based CBS affiliate WCCO Radio 830AM contacted the University Minnesota (UMNExt) 2013 to reinstate an 8:00 AM Saturday live gardening show titled “Smart Garden”. After several years doing show, we wanted determine effectiveness getting information listeners, what people were differently because they heard on and how much used Extension’s resources after listening program. analyzing 410 responses online survey, found 78% respondents reported frequently or always learned something new when listening, 56% adopting environmentally important practices, such as pollinator gardens, less chemical use, better lawn care, water conservation, removing invasive plants. We concluded that this programming was making positive impact consumer horticulture practices.