Participant motivations for joining an extension program

Abstract

We asked participants of Gulf of Mexico, Chesapeake Bay, and Atlantic Coast restoration-focused oyster gardening programs (OGPs) about motivations for joining an OGP and engaging in an activity in general at the gardening site before and after joining an OGP. Regarding motivations to join an OGP, environmental improvement was a stronger motivation than opportunity to learn or fishing improvement, both of which were generally greater than social motivations. Additionally, OGP participation was not significant in changing motivations for engaging in an activity in general at the gardening site, suggesting that a focus on initial motivators for engaging in an associated activity may be key to Extension program volunteer recruiting and retention efforts.