From July 2024 through June 2025, I reached more than 181,000 individuals through a range of indirect Extension outreach activities. Using a combination of mass media, digital publications, and in-person events, I shared research-based agricultural information with farmers, lenders, stakeholders, and the broader public across Kentucky and neighboring states.

Through regular contributions to platforms like Southern Ag Today, Kentucky Field Crops Newsletter, and National Ag Radio, I consistently delivered timely insights on crop production, markets, and conservation. Southern Ag Today alone accounted for over 36,000 engagements throughout the year. I also participated in high-profile media opportunities, including interviews on CBS/FOX (15,000 estimated viewers), Kentucky Educational Television (estimated 10,000), and a feature in the Louisville Courier Journal (estimated 15,000). These efforts expanded my reach far beyond traditional audiences and allowed me to connect with producers through familiar and trusted channels.

In addition to media-based outreach, I engaged directly with stakeholders through more than 40 local meetings and trainings, including county-level programs, agricultural outlooks, and lender sessions. These events brought me face-to-face with over 1,500 participants, giving me the opportunity to discuss issues like cropping systems, market trends, and climate risk management in a more personal and tailored setting. Highlights included the Kentucky Agribusiness Summit, Alabama Row Crop Expo, and Ohio State Marketing sessions, all of which helped strengthen multistate Extension collaboration.

Demographically, I connected with over 1,042 men and 522 women, and reached Hispanic audiences through targeted efforts. I made a special effort to engage underrepresented groups, such as through the Bowling Green Annie’s Project, which supports women in agriculture. I also ensured broad geographic coverage, with programming in counties like Daviess, Todd, Hopkins, Shelby, and Webster.

The content I delivered addressed both longstanding and emerging needs in agriculture. I focused on crop outlooks, lender engagement, drought response, and marketing strategies. Throughout, I emphasized practical, actionable guidance that helped farmers make better decisions amid price volatility, changing weather patterns, and shifting conservation expectations.

This year’s work demonstrates how Extension can scale impact through a blend of direct and indirect outreach. By combining local relationships with mass communication tools, I was able to inform, support, and empower producers across a wide region—ensuring that research-based knowledge remains accessible, relevant, and impactful.