Describe the Issue or Situation

Non-extension groups and diverse community members in Calloway County often lack awareness of available agricultural programs and resources. Traditional communication methods have not effectively reached certain populations, limiting engagement and participation in programs addressing topics such as sustainable farming and home gardening.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable)

To address this issue, I collaborated with The Murray Ledger & Times to enhance communication and outreach efforts. This partnership included:

• Contributing multiple articles each quarter that promote agricultural programs and highlight relevant topics.
• Developing a dedicated “AG” section of the newspaper that runs quarterly and is supported by sponsorships.
  These efforts were designed to ensure program messaging appeals to diverse community interests and reaches populations traditionally underserved by extension communication channels.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience

The target audience included non-extension groups, urban and rural residents, young families interested in home gardening, minority farmers, and local businesses involved in agriculture. The newspaper's circulation reaches approximately 7,000 households quarterly, with an estimated readership of over 20,000 individuals across Calloway County and surrounding areas.

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact

Through this initiative, program visibility and community engagement have significantly improved:

• Multiple individuals have attended workshops or events directly attributed to the newspaper’s outreach, many of whom had no prior interaction with extension services.
• Sponsorships for the “AG” section have secured sustainability for this initiative, with local businesses investing in its continuation.
  This outreach effort has successfully bridged communication gaps, allowing agricultural programs to reach new and diverse audiences, fostering broader community involvement, and driving measurable participation growth.