"Gardening in a Minute" celebrates a first year of award-winning broadcasts
“Gardening in a Minute,” the award-winning University of Florida Extension radio program, celebrates its one-year anniversary this month.
The first show aired October 2, 2006, and since then almost 260 shows have been broadcast—covering topics as wide ranging as wildflowers in the garden, organic fertilizer, mowing safety and Arbor Day.
“We make sure ‘Gardening in a Minute’ appeals to gardeners of all levels, and that it’s friendly and fun,” said Tom Wichman, the program’s host and main content reviewer.
In the first year of programming, the “Gardening in a Minute” radio program and companion Web site received five national communications awards. Each show is one minute long, but the Web site has more information about each topic.
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The folks behind GIAM celebrated their first year of success at Randy Batista's Art Gallery in Gainesville on Sept. 20. Click here to see photos from the soiree.
“The show is a great way to get people to the Web site, where we have tons of great research-based facts and tips for our visitors,” said Wichman.
The gardening information offered comes from the University of Florida, as well as other land-grant universities and the U.S. government. Transcripts and MP3s of all the shows are also available online.
“Gardening in a Minute” is funded by the Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology, which was created by the Florida legislature in 2006 to conduct research, outreach and education related to sustainable landscape management practices.
Both the “Gardening in a Minute” radio program and Web site emphasize “Florida-friendly” gardening practices, which aim to impact the unique Florida environment as little as possible.
“Gardening in a Minute” airs every weekday on NPR stations in 19 counties in North Central Florida and will be expanding to other stations in the near future.
Wichman, who is a University of Florida alumnus, was a Florida Cooperative Extension horticulture agent in Orange County for six years before he was hired in his current position as Florida Master Gardener Coordinator.
Wichman also serves as an unofficial gardening advisor to almost everyone he comes across.
“I love to garden,” he said. “There’s nothing more exciting to share and talk about.”
Produced by WUFT-FM in Gainesville, “Gardening in a Minute” can be heard on that station and WJUF-FM in Inverness at 6:18 p.m.
For more information about “Gardening in a Minute,” contact Sarah Graddy, Senior Information Specialist: sgraddy@ufl.edu / (352) 392-1831 ext. 244.
Click here to go to the GIAM Web site
Click here to see photos from the 1st annual celebration
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