Oklahoma Gardening TV show receives environmental award
Friday, December 4, 2020
Oklahoma Gardening, a production of the Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources that airs on OETA, recently was recognized with an award of excellence from Keep Oklahoma Beautiful.
The award in the category of educational institutions was announced during the state agency’s annual Environmental Excellence Celebration held online this year. It was delivered in person Dec. 3 at The Botanic Garden at OSU, where many of the show’s segments are captured.
Oklahoma Gardening features informative segments on gardening, lawn care, tree care and landscaping, as well as segments about cooking, nutrition and food safety. In addition to segments in Stillwater, the beloved OETA feature travels throughout Oklahoma and occasionally outside the state to showcase gardens and gardeners to provide inspiration for novices and experts alike.
It is the longest-running show of its kind in the United States. Viewership on YouTube now totals about 32 million people across 166 countries.
“This recognition affirms that OSU Extension is connecting the community with valuable research,” Associate Vice President for OSU Extension Damona Doye said. “It’s just one more example of how we fulfill the university’s land-grant mission to support the public, and I’m thankful for our relationship with OETA to help make it possible.”
OETA Executive Director Polly Anderson congratulated the school and the staff behind Oklahoma Gardening.
“We are very proud of the partnership we’ve had with OSU to produce this program and share it with everyone in Oklahoma,” Anderson said. “The program is in its 47th season, which is a tremendous track record.”
OSU Extension’s Solid Waste Management Program was recognized as a finalist in the same award category. The program provides technical assistance, training and education in solid waste management and enforcement, highlighting its impact on ecology and the economy. It is overseen by Keima Borsuah, an OSU Extension assistant state specialist.
Keep Oklahoma Beautiful is a statewide nonprofit organization and state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, which has a network of nearly 1,000 participating organizations nationwide working to improve communities through litter prevention, waste reduction and beautification.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Brus | Agricultural Communications Services | 405-744-6792 | BBrus@okstate.edu