Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:18:03 -0400
From: Gene Galin
Subject: Chatlist member Al Cooke mentioned in AP story about gardening
Chatham County’s extension agent Al Cooke is mentioned in an AP article about gardening –
Lingering downturn helps keep gardening boom going
Read the entire story at http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ghup08igi9zSihJ8_cwsXSLGOmsg?docId=c2f7e474fa924d538c3d388707427bba
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) – Many of the millions of people who turned to gardening to save money during the recession appear to be sticking with it during the recovery as food prices remain high and interest in safe, fresh and local food grows nationwide.
Forty-three million American households planned to grow at least some of their own food in 2009, a 19 percent increase from the estimated 36 million who did the year before, said the National Gardening Association, citing the most recent figures available. Spending on food gardening – including growing vegetables, fruit trees, berries and herbs – jumped 20 percent in one year to $3 billion in 2009 and stayed at that level last year, said Bruce Butterfield, research director for the nonprofit association.
With more novice gardeners nationwide, teachers report classes are filling up. Food gardening classes in Chatham County, N.C., for example, have doubled in size in the past five years.
“I’ve noticed just about any classes that I do that involve edible foods, the number has been up, to the point that I scheduled a specific class on just berries,” said Al Cooke, an agricultural extension agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Chatham County Center in Pittsboro, N.C.