Looking Forward to Mobile: Speaker Preview, Dr. Heather Kirk-Ballard
Dr. Heather Kirk-Ballard
Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist of Consumer Horticulture
LSU AgCenter
Program Details: Keeping Consumer Demand High –Riding the Green Wave of the COVID-19 Gardening Explosion
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the nation into a quarantine scenario in the spring of 2020, people found themselves with extra time on their hands. The 2018 National Garden Survey showed 12 million Americans felt, “I’m too busy to have much time for gardening.” With gyms, entertainment venues and restaurants closed and people working from home, a surplus of time remained. People turned to gardening in record numbers.The green industry continues to be high demand with many reporting significant gains in profits and sales. How do we maintain the momentum? Join us to discuss strategies for meeting customer demand.
Bio: Dr. Heather Kirk-Ballard is an Assistant Professor and Statewide Extension Specialist of Consumer Horticulture with Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. In addition to her research and Extension program, Dr. Heather Kirk-Ballard is the Host of the AgCenter’ s Get It Growing program and a committee member of the Louisiana Super Plants Program. Dr. Kirk-Ballard’ s research program focuses on consumer’s home garden needs, the effect of plants on the environment, our health, the economy and the community.Additionally, her research includes development of sustainable landscape practices.