Evaluation of Green Industry Trainings

Summary

Georgia urban agriculture and green-industry practitioners rely on timely information and training from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension to inform decision making and implement the latest best management practices. Important outreach is delivered through educational events in collaboration with industry conferences and trade shows. An evaluation of green industry trainings informs future program planning and helps to gain a better understanding of green industry training and impacts.

Situation

Experts from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension teach educational sessions at two major annual green industry trade shows. These sessions provide timely education to green industry and landscape management professionals in Georgia. Issues include pruning, pest management, landscape health, marketing, and landscape management.

Response

A survey instrument was developed as a collaboration of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, UGA Extension, and the Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture. The surveys were distributed and collected at two major industry events: The Georgia Green Industry Association Wintergreen Horticulture Trade Show and Conference on January 21-23, 2020; and the Georgia Urban Ag Council Landscape Pro University on January 29, 2020.

Impact

A total of 564 surveys were collected, providing valuable data on the effectiveness of training, behavior change, and economic impacts of training. Key findings from the Georgia Green Industry Wintergreen Conference were: 77% of respondents reported they would definitely use the information they received from the sessions at the Wintergreen Conference; 94% of the respondents reported they would definitely or probably use the information provided. On average, participants in attendance reported they would save or gain $23.44 per client/customer as a result of implementing changes related to the information provided from the conference sessions; The total self-reported value of the information presented by UGA Extension was $680,952. Key findings from the Georgia Urban Ag Council Landscape Pro University were: 74% of respondents reported they would definitely use the information they received from the sessions at the Landscape Pro University; 95% of the respondents reported they would definitely or probably use the information provided; On average, participants in attendance reported they would save or gain $20.93 per client/customer as a result of implementing changes related to the information provided from the conference sessions; The total self-reported value of the information presented by UGA Extension was $157,154. The study informs future program planning and provides a better understanding of green industry training and impacts.

State Issue

Urban Agriculture

Details

• Year: 2020
• Geographic Scope: State
• County: Gwinnett
• Location: Georgia Station, Griffin
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources