Horticultural Diplomacy: A Framework for Growing Culturally Aware Gardeners

Authors

• Stephen Stresow-Cortez, Cornell UniversityFollow
• Stephen Reiners, Cornell UniversityFollow
• Ashley Miller Helmholdt, Cornell UniversityFollow

Volume

64

Issue

2

Abstract

Derived from person-to-person diplomacy models, a ``horticultural diplomacy'' framework was implemented in a statewide vegetable variety trial program for two seasons to introduce Master Gardeners to diverse crops and cultures. Scaffolding learning with relevant recipes, bed groupings, community tasting events, and collecting community (citizen) science data helped participants build garden skills, gain a greater appreciation for other cultures, and inform new educational materials. Horticultural diplomacy is part of a deliberate effort aimed at growing food and building understanding among (primarily White) volunteers. The techniques that helped make this program successful, adaptable to other garden programs, and aspects that require improvements are outlined.

Authors’ Contribution Statement

Study conceptualization, data collection and analysis, writing—original draft, writing—review and editing.

Data Availability

Restrictions apply to the availability of these data. Data are available from the authors upon reasonable request and with the permission of the necessary organization(s).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Stresow-Cortez, S., Reiners, S., & Helmholdt, A. (2026). Horticultural Diplomacy: A Framework for Growing Culturally Aware Gardeners. Journal of Extension, 64(2), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.66752/1077-5315.5688