Re: Plant a Row for the Hungry

**"Doreen Howard" d*@ticon.net**

Linda and any others who want to start a PAR program,
Your newspaper column is a natural pulpit for PAR activities.  Don't ignore
TV and radio.  They reach more people than newspapers.  Contact your local
news anchor people on TV and ask to be interviewed about PAR for the noon
news or a slot in which they feature community news.  Then, when PAR gets
going, create news-worthy events and ask for coverage.  You call the
newsroom and ask for the Assignments Editor.  Saturdays are perfect, because
the news calendar is at its leanest, and your odds of a camera crew filming
your event are the best.  Weekdays are good, too, if you create something
that will draw viewers.  For instance, we planted a PAR garden in
Springfield, IL with 3 to 5 year olds at a day care center.  A local nursery
donated seeds and transplants.  The TV crews came out on a Wednesday morning
and filmed.  We were the lead story on the 6 p.m. news on the NBC and ABC
affiliates, because the kids were adorable, the message was socially
conscious and concise and the visuals were appealing.  One 4-year-old said
on camera that he'd never wanted to be hungry so he was going to sing to his
pepper plant every day.  You can't top that.  My point is that the more
events you stage, the better your publicity is.  BTW, that pepper plant
segment ended up on the video that runs on HGTV.

Don't forget about radio either.  By law, they have to do so many PSA's
(public service announcements) every year to satisfy FCC regulations.  Go to
the broadest-reaching stations in the area with a script.  Talk with the
program director and explain PAR.  If you feel inclined, ask to record the
PSA yourself.  Also, use the meeting as a vehicle to help yourself.  Ask if
they have good gardening coverage.  Tell them about your expertise and
volunteer to come on a program and answer questions or be an expert.
Then....after the first time or two, start charging.  This also is a good
way to get into local TV.  I've used it in two states when I started PAR
programs and picked up lots of paying work.

Good luck, and feel free to email me off-list if you have more questions
about PAR.
Doreen Howard
PAR National Director

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