2018 ASHS Annual Conference

The National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) is a diverse consortium of leaders who provide a unified voice for promoting the benefits and value of horticulture. NICH endeavors to unite national research efforts with the goals of the diverse stakeholders in the industry, the public sector, and the gardening public in an effort to advance knowledge and increase benefits and application of horticulture for cultivating a healthy world through landscapes, gardens, and plants and an improved quality of life. In the 2017 workshop, a review was presented of research related to the economic, environmental, and community and health benefits of Consumer Horticulture (CH). Following that review, this workshop offers opportunity to discuss strengthening CH research. The 2018 workshop will begin by exploring examples of Consumer Horticulture (CH) research, collaborators, and strategies for reaching out to other disciplines. The latter half of the workshop will use facilitated discussion to identify ways to improve future CH research. Workshop attendees will rotate through stations to contribute to the discussion of questions, such as what are CH research goals? What can CH researchers do to strengthen our research? With whom should CH collaborate to achieve research goals? How do CH researchers meet these people? How do CH researchers have the conversation with other researchers? Attendee contributions will be captured on flip charts as well as by designated listeners so that the information can be compiled and reviewed and action steps identified.