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Iowa gardeners get ‘in the zone’ “One of the biggest problems Iowans face with television gardening programs and magazines is that the information is not appropriate for Iowa because often the plants, etc., are not good for our area,” said Carol Henderson, publisher of Iowa Gardening magazine. Now, thanks to Iowa Gardening magazine and Iowa State University Extension, more Iowans are receiving relevant research-based gardening information. Iowa Gardening magazine has teamed up with ISU Extension to produce television gardening segments, called “Gardening in the Zone,” to reach as many Iowans as possible. Iowa Gardening magazine produced a gardening show last year, but decided to merge with ISU Extension for expert advice and production improvement, Henderson said. “It is important that the information be accurate and specific to Iowa — zones 4 and 5,” Henderson said. “With the help of ISU Extension, we thought it would be appropriate and beneficial to combine our resources.” ISU Extension specialists are involved in planning and topic selection, serve as on-air personalities and assist in editing the program. Gardening in the Zone appears on three channels in Iowa once a week: Channel 8 KCCI in central Iowa, on Fridays on the 5 p.m. News; Channel 9 KCRG in Cedar Rapids, on Fridays on the Morning News; and Channel 7 KETV in Omaha/Council Bluffs, on Thursdays on First News. Talks are under way to bring the segment to the remaining Iowa television markets. Each segment lasts approximately two minutes and provides tips and ideas on a variety of topics including pest damage, market information, wildflower tours and beautiful flowers and plants that are specific to Iowa weather. “We have received many phone calls from people, great feedback from KCCI and both parties involved are just very pleased with the outcome,” Henderson said. “ISU Extension has produced videotapes with a high visual impact. And people are more interested if the quality of presentation is high.” Henderson added, “We can reach folks through television coverage who might not know about the resources of ISU Extension and our magazine. Gardeners can seek us out for other information, beyond the particular topics on television.” For more information, visit the Gardening in the Zone Web site. |
The Extension Connection is a quarterly publication of Iowa State University Extension. Laura Sternweis, editor, lsternwe@iastate.edu Nondiscrimination statement and information disclosures Last update: July 2004
* Iowa's
rural communities: * Biosafety Institute asks questions, finds answers * Peer groups offer a new way of neighboring * Master Gardeners volunteer more than 80,000 hours |
