As a new agent, I found it very important to promote myself to the community through a variety of outlets. Not only am I a regular participant in almost every agricultural club in the county, but I am also prolific in posting on our county Facebook page, sending emails to my subscription list, writing weekly local paper articles, and creating a quarterly agriculture print/digital newsletter. The farmers of Henry County are accustomed to receiving their information from each source; NRCS, Conservation District, FSA, extension, and other community organizations. This can be taxing to keep up with. Several people have expressed frustration in always “missing out” on important information from each of the previously mentioned resources. I have crafted my outreach in a way that encompasses all the relevant information in one source. The farming demographics skew toward the older generation, but I am seeing an influx of young farmers in the county. According to the 2017 Agriculture Census, the majority of producers are aged 35-64. That age range can have a variety of media preferences. With that in mind, I utilize all that I have access to. Almost weekly, I write an article for the Henry County Local. This paper has 2,700 subscriptions. I have had multiple farmers reach out as a result of reading one of my articles.

My quarterly newsletter has proven successful as well. I create a newsletter based on what is relevant at the time. I include timely tips in each edition on cattle, forages, grain, and horticulture. I promote upcoming extension events. I include articles about policy updates. I create a section that educates farmers about funding opportunities and the deadlines for each. I have 204 individuals subscribed to the paper newsletter.

To accommodate the farmers who prefer a more timely outreach, I created an email list. I have grown that list to 88 people. Each week I send out an email with timely reminders. Topics include deadlines for FSA reporting, NRCS programs available, pest scouting reminders, and upcoming extension programming.

I use the county’s Facebook page to reach new audiences. My posts typically reach 1,500 people on the platform. Some posts reach as high as 5,000 people.