The Simpson and Butler County Extension Agents for Agriculture developed a forage management program that would be held exclusively on Zoom video conferencing technology.  The program was titled, “Forage Management Workshop” and was comprised of a 3-part series in the months of January and February with each topic featuring University of Kentucky forage and agronomy specialists.  The session titles were as follows:  “Forage Selection for Optimum Production”, “Importance of Proper Fertility in Maintaining Weed Free Pastures and Hay Fields”, and “Cultural, Mechanical, and Chemical Weed Control Systems”.  Simpson and Butler County Extension Agents, with clientele input, planned, implemented, and evaluated this program.  Evaluations were presented on Qualtrics at the end of each session. 

There were 57 registrations (via zoom online registration) for this program from Simpson, Butler, and Grant Counties. Average attendance was 36.  One session was during inclement winter weather.  This presentation method allowed us to keep clientele and specialists safe from traveling while not canceling the program.  94% of the participants reported they like using technology for learning.  Additionally, post meeting evaluations revealed that:  97% of participants responded that they will use the information they learned in their farming operation.  100% increased their knowledge of the topics presented.  Producers commented the following:   “I learned a lot from the program.  After the soil fertility session I bought my own soil probe because I thought it would be a useful tool.”

-another producer reported that after participating in the program he intended to plant a novel endophyte fescue instead of KY 31 like he had always done. 

-One producer participated from his hotel room during a conference he was attending because he was getting a lot from the program.