Educating Urban Youth on Horticulture as a Profession or Hobby through Fair Participation

Abstract

Young people often do not know about the many areas of horticulture as a profession. Generally, youngsters ages 5 to 18 often have difficulty raising an animal to show at agricultural fairs due to costs, space, and deed restrictions. Pasco County Extension has developed a program for young people allowing
them to participate in the fair and obtain an opportunity to learn about raising plants, marketing, and other aspects of the horticultural industry. These students learn about different types of plants (including perennials, woody landscape material, foliage, etc.), growth characteristics, sales techniques, and showmanship. Through education, they learn how to keep track of their costs,
identify plant problems, and hone pruning techniques. Students even learn marketing skills, culminating in sales at the end of the fair. Workshops, mandatory educational meetings, 4-H project books, and mentoring with professionals and Master Gardeners are used in the program. Each year between 40 and 50 4-H or FFA students select and raise plants, then show and sell them at the annual county fair.