The problem:

Getting timely information to a disconnected population provides a whole new set of challenges.  This is especially important when the information may impact the lives of those affected.  The drowning of five kids from an Amish family in Bath County, and the recent lightening strike of an Amish farmer, also in Bath County, are prime examples of this fact.  

The educational program response

In response to these events, a taskforce was established made up of members from the National Weather Service, Local Emergency Management personnel and the Bath County Extension Office.  The taskforce, known as WARN (weather awareness for a rural nation) has developed educational materials that meets the requirements of the Amish community that can be used in Amish classrooms.  Materials have also been developed for use in adult programming through extension offices.  The WARN taskforce is also providing extension newsletter articles each month to extension offices, in the hopes that these printed newsletters will reach underserved and disconnected audiences.  We are also in negotiations with Midland to develop an Amish compliant weather radio.  The first two prototypes have already been developed. On the national level, we hope to get other organizations to understand how important it is to develop resources for these types of audiences who may not have the same access to information as our traditional clientele. 

On September 13th, The WARN taskforce presented a one hour program at the annual meeting of the National Weather Service to discuss why we exist and the steps we are taking to develop methods to meet the needs in these disconnected communities.  The Bath County Ag agent was a presenter via Zoom providing background and ideas on how to better connect with the Amish families in local communities in order to provide information and resources.  

Screenshots from Twitter have been attached above with just a few of the comments from participants from across the country.

The participants/target audience

The program is focused on Amish and other populations that are disconnected by choice.  These families are particularly hard to provide information in our technological world.  

Other partners (if applicable)

National weather service, Emergency Management personnel, Bath County Extension ag program

Program impact or participant response.

We have met some of the goals, providing educational material and newsletter articles for extension agents.  The program has now been presented on a national stage and the impact of the program can be seen from some of the twitter comments above.  Once Midland moves forward with the Amish weather radio program, we will be working on ways to develop grants for counties to purchase and distribute radios in communities with Amish populations.