In Hopkins County, Extension programs provide vital education and services across health, family, agriculture, youth development, and community leadership. However, as new programs developed post-COVID and staffing expanded, there was a need to increase visibility, strengthen community partnerships, and reach new audiences who were unaware of the full scope of Extension services.

To address this need, Hopkins County Extension agents implemented a comprehensive outreach strategy that included:

-Hosting lunch group meeting with local coalitions (including schools, health departments, libraries, and nonprofit organizations).

-Providing educational programming to Dawson Springs High School FCCLA students through hands-on workshops in nutrition, Horticulture, and leadership. Students also followed up with a writing an essay on the Extension Service.

-Speaking at meetings for civic organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and health coalitions to increase awareness of Extension resources.

-Presenting to Leadership Hopkins County, a key program for community leadership development.

-Enhancing social media efforts to engage a wider online audience.

These intentional and varied marketing efforts successfully expanded the reach and relevance of Hopkins County Extension. Through face-to-face relationship-building and strategic digital outreach, agents strengthened partnerships, educated youth, and enhanced community leadership—helping ensure the sustainability and growth of Extension’s mission across the county.

Operating under their mission of delivering “information, education, and solutions… growing ideas into better communities, stronger local economies, and healthier lives” hopkins.ca.uky.edu+1kers.ca.uky.edu+1, the agents’ multi-pronged marketing approach is a shining example of how Extension can thrive.