Addressing Gaps in Consumer Knowledge About Horticulture
The retail gardening industry in the U.S. is expected to reach $50 billion by 2023, and it is a significant driver of the agricultural economy. To meet the corresponding demand for information, consumer horticulture professionals will need to develop innovative digital outreach, research-based solutions, a concerted recruitment of youth, and enhanced collaborations.
A recent research update from the American Society for Horticultural Science highlights how, to understand the current gaps in research and the extent of the involvement of public gardens, surveys were conducted among two groups of consumer horticulture/Extension researchers and staff of public gardens. The results of the surveys were presented at the virtual conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science in August 2020 during a workshop hosted by the Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardener Professional Interest Group.
The workshop included four presentations, and two of those are discussed in an ASHS paper: 1) research gaps in consumer horticulture, and 2) bridging the divide between horticulture and public gardens. Among researchers, even though there was a general understanding of consumer horticulture, there was a disconnect in participants’ perceptions of the roles of horticulture in the economy and recreation. The greatest knowledge gap was in basic horticultural practices. Regarding public garden professionals, there needs to be a concerted effort to educate them about consumer horticulture so they can provide a consistent message to their audiences and the general public.
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