According to Zephoria Digital marketing there are over 3.51 billion people actively using Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Messenger each month. To use the communication channel of social media to reach potential community agency partners and participants, The Barren County Nutrition Education Program Assistant continued updating information to the Barren County Nutrition Education Facebook page throughout the 2020-2021 program year. The total estimated reach for the Barren County Nutrition Education Facebook page was 22,852 individuals.

In Kentucky, 16.8% of adults exhibit three or more unhealthy behaviors, which puts them at a risk for poor health according to the United Health Foundation, of those factors one was physical inactivity. To encourage physical activity during the winter months, one resource shared was an infographic “Tips for Remaining Physically Active in Winter Months” created by the Barren County Nutrition Education Program Assistant with information from the Healthy Choices for Healthy Family Newsletter Volume 13 Issue 2. This infographic had reached 704 people and was shared by another State Extension Agency in Georgia.

 A second impactful resource shared was created by the Barren County Nutrition Education Program Assistant after a need for a centralized list of food assistance resources in Barren County was recognized. According to Feeding America 1 in 7 individuals in Barren County is food insecure. To help connect participants and residents in Barren County, a Food Assistance Monthly Calendar was developed. The Barren County Nutrition Program assistant contacted 20 community food pantries, distributions, churches, and other organizations. Once compiled and created, the Barren County Food Assistance Calendar for September 2021 was shared via Facebook and reached 5,400 people virtually and was requested to be printed by local community partnering agencies such as Barren County Attorney’s Office, Networking Neighbors, Bridge KY, and Habitat for Humanity ReStore Center of Glasgow.