Pest management issues can emerge quickly and affect all of Kentucky’s 120 counties similarly or differently. University of Kentucky pest management extension specialists initiated an additional forum with county agricultural extension agents to keep a reciprocal dialogue open, complete with updates and observations from across the Commonwealth. The forum, a bi-weekly Zoom call with county agents, referred to as In the Weeds with IPM, is held near the start of each planting season and continues throughout the growing season. The format has proven to be a helpful and efficient way to provide updates on potential or emerging pest management issues and how to effectively communicate those issues to clientele. 

For the 2024 growing season that began in March and ended in September, 261 agents participated in the Zoom calls, with multiple agents participating regularly in the biweekly calls. Specifically for FY 2024, from July to September, 116 agents participated in the calls. When the Zoom calls resumed on April 8, 2025, through June 24, 2025, 196 agents participated in more than one of the sessions during that time period.[TL1]   

At the conclusion of the 2024 growing season, agents completed a survey on the importance of these meetings, with 100 percent of respondents stating they strongly agreed the information from the calls was beneficial to their role as a County Agent. Also, 92 percent of the Agents surveyed indicated they shared information learned with clientele. Agent comments indicated that they always received useful information from the Zoom calls. Agents appreciated the timely updates and discussion, and felt this format was a great method to deliver updates and provide recommendations to clientele.