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- Success Story -
This project is just one example within the Land Grant University System that enhanced better nutrient and pesticide management thereby improving water quality. Please check back periodically for other highlighted programs.
E-Learning Resource for the Nursery and Greenhouse Industry
Situation
Today, ornamental crop production is among
the fastest growing sectors of agriculture. The American Nursery and Landscape Association 
has
ranked water and nutrient management as one of their top five research
priorities. Container-nursery and greenhouse systems differ
radically from traditional agronomic-type agricultural operations
in terms of water and nutrient use, and there is an acknowledged
lack of up-to-date information in these knowledge areas.
Actions
Extension Faculty from six states (in Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions) developed a web-based educational resource center to
provide research-based knowledge on water (both irrigation and surface
water) management and nutrient management for the nursery and greenhouse
industry. Users are directed to information resources on the greenhouse and nursery industries in the six states, including information on regulations, best
management practices (BMPs), active research areas, accreditation and certification
as well as the gateway to the learning modules. There, registered users have access to 25 in-depth learning modules on substrate, irrigation and surface water management, nutrient and pathogen management.
Impacts
- During 2009, over 16,200 unique visits came from 160 countries and 49 states / territories with 2,549 (17%) returning visitors. The top five countries accessing the modules were USA, Canada, India, UK and Australia.
- The site now has nearly 600 registered users, including over 130 Extension/Educators/Researchers; 39 Engineers; 52 Agronomists/Consultants; 92 Grower/Manager/Farmers and 74 Graduate/ Undergraduate Students. More than 200 users are from outside the United States.
- Nearly 60% of registered users accessed the site repeatedly during 2009, accessing an average of 9 pages per visit, with a total of over 35,400 pages viewed by registered and guest users.
- During the past two years, a number of presentations and demonstrations of the knowledge center have been made at international, national and regional conferences.
- One refereed and three non-refereed conference/trade articles have been published on the project; a further refereed (HortTechnology) article on the knowledge center is in press.
- The Knowledge Center was awarded one international (ASABE) and one National (ASHS) award in 2009.
