Page 26 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2021

National Vegetable Society
The National Vegetable Society undertook an online survey from June 30th to July 19th, 2021. The survey consisted of 21 simple questions seeking members views of the society and the benefits of membership. The survey was promoted on the NVS website, social media and via the summer edition of NVS Simply Vegetables publication. The survey link was available on the NVS members only section of
the NVS Website and a broadcast email was sent to all members who had given consent to be contacted via email (1260 members).
The trustees would like to express their sincere appreciation to all those who took the time to partake in the survey. We have had a very positive response of 444 replies. The results were presented to the NVS trustees on July 21st. Responses provided trustees with a greater understanding of member expectations and identified areas for future development and planning.
“It is great to get views from a wider source, as sometimes I feel, we are a little tunnel visioned and these views will fill us with new vigour and direction to carry on.” Sandra Hall (Chairperson)
We are delighted to share the results as follows:
Question: How long have you been a member of the National Vegetable Society?
Question: Why did you Join the National Vegetable Society?
The NVS is a growing society, and our membership
is continuing an upward path with a large increase of members in 2021. Members are joining via variety of means such as finding us on the internet, being referred by a friend and various other ways including flyers being placed in DT Brown catalogues which are then mailed to growers.
The NVS improves standards of vegetable growing. New Members are seeking the knowledge to get the best out of their gardens and grow the best quality vegetables. Some are allotment and kitchen garden growers with no knowledge or interest in showing, some will be eager to
improve in the local village show and the small minority will be seeking to become the next top exhibitor.
Question: Are you connected to a District Association (DA)?
Question: How long have you been growing vegetables?
Question: What skill level do you consider yourself to be at?
The new website is fresh, current, and simple to navigate. The website was rated 4 out of 5 stars in the survey. The feedback confirmed it was a great improvement and many asked for the news and events sections to be updated regularly. Some noted the loss the old members forum, but we would encourage everyone to register and login into
the members only area where more benefits for members are available including a discussion area and we have established a National Vegetable Society Members Facebook page to share photos and ask questions.
Since the survey we have taken your feedback on board and provided a link to the Society past championships which are stored on Flickr. These photos can be a great reference to members. Our new growing leaflets designed for the general grower are popular and are available on our website and we were delighted to see the vegetable covered align to the most popular grown vegetables.
Question: Do you currently grow vegetables for exhibition?
26 Simply Vegetables
BY RAYMOND HIGGINS FNVS