Agriculture and Natural Resources and Horticulture Extension agents throughout Kentucky assist growers and homeowners with a wide range if plant problems on an array of specialty crops. A survey of agents indicated that in an average month, agents assist an average of 18 stakeholders with issues related to plant diseases, disorders, and unknown plant problems. Identification of plant disease can be difficult, and a survey found that agents spent an average of 24 hours per month (15% of total working time per month) dealing with plant diseases. Thus, as a way to improve agent knowledge, increase confidence in addressing stakeholder plant disease issues, and increase agent efficiency in this area, the Practical Approaches to Disease Identification: Agent in-service and certificate program was developed.

This program consisted of 8 webinars and 4 hands-on practical workshops. Agents were required to complete a series of 7 webinars and 1 full-day practicum in order to earn the certificate. Webinars aimed to provide an understanding of the microorganisms responsible for disease, as well as information on field and office tools that can be used for sample collection and disease identification. Each one hour webinar utilized a webcam that allowed for participants to view demonstrations of tools, as well as disease symptoms and signs of pathogens. At the conclusion of each webinar, each participant completed a quiz. The practicum built upon the previous online trainings that were completed in the months prior. Each practical workshop consisted of a field walk to educate participants on the most effective approaches to a field visit. During a different part of the practicum, participants worked in groups to practice various diagnostic methods and later to work through case studies that required agents to utilize skills in plant disease identification and sample preparation and processing. Agents that completed all requirements were awarded a plaque and certificate. All portions of the certificate program were facilitated by a specialist and associate in the Department of Plant Pathology. 

Thirty-nine agents completed the entire program and earned the certificate. A survey showed an increase in knowledge of topics covered in the webinars (63%), practicum (72%), and the entire program (63%). Agents also indicated an increase in their ability to ask questions and collect data (40%); sample collection (33%); in-office diagnostics (53%); and utilization of resources (37%). Participants specified that the top three benefits of participating in the program were increased effectiveness in asking the right questions and/or collecting the right data/info (20% of responses), increased effectiveness in getting the right sample for email, text, or Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory diagnostic confirmation (16% of responses), and improved confidence (15% of responses). Ninety-four percent of agents stated they anticipated saving time with stakeholder interactions (field visits and/or office visits) and in office-level diagnostics, as a result of participating in this program. Participants indicated an anticipated average savings of 7.5 hours per month with stakeholder interactions, and 5.7 hours per month in office-level diagnostics. This translates to a decrease in the amount of time spent addressing plant disease issues from 15% to 7% of total working time per month. Ninety percent of agents anticipated saving stakeholders money as a result of participating in this program, with an average savings of $96.05 per acre. Feedback from this program was positive with agents commenting, “This program helped increase my confidence in diagnosing and making recommendations to clientele.”, and “I have already put the hands-on into application by using the tools I already had in my office, but didn’t know how to use properly.” Due to the complex nature of this program, we anticipate repeating it every 3-4 years.