Feature Story

Stone, A.K.*¹,
¹ Extension Educator, Ohio State University, Toledo, OH, 43615

This special feature was published in the Toledo Blade (Toledo, Ohio) on Tuesday, September 9, 2019. The feature was requested as longer and more indepth piece in addition to a weekly column by the editor. The word count was increased from what was normally required in the weekly column earlier in the year.  In 2019, the Monday and Tuesday Editions of the Blade were published online only for the first time in the history of the paper. 

The feature was written for the general public which included seasoned gardeners to new sprouts, and individuals who may have not had an interest in horticulture and related topics, but may have wanted to learn more. Ten tips where identified and described and was published in the fall when individuals were preparing for the upcoming winter season in their garden and landscape.

When writing the feature, it was intended to be educational, engaging and enjoyable, while at the same time, empowering readers to grow their knowledge in horticulture and implement the knowledge gained.

The readership of the Toledo Blade reaches across state lines and is estimated that the daily circulation in the first quarter averaged 46,572 and the Sunday circulation was 77,530. Additionally, the Blade had established three different digital publishing platforms including toledoblade.com, eBlade.toledoblade.com, and the Blade NewSlide and apps for each that work specifically on smart phones.

The feature provided an avenue to increase awareness not only about horticulturally related topics, but also about Extension and the resources and services that are provided locally.