Agriculture and Natural Resources and Horticulture Extension agents throughout Kentucky assist growers and homeowners with a wide range of plant problems on an array of specialty crops. A survey of agents indicated that agents assist an average of 18 stakeholders per month 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) dealing with plant diseases. 

Thus, to improve agent knowledge, to increase confidence in addressing stakeholder plant disease issues, and to increase agent efficiency in this area, the Practical Approaches to Disease Identification: Agent in-service and certificate program was developed.  The certificate program was divided into two parts.

Part 1.  The first portion of the program included a series of in-depth webinars. To qualify for the certificate program, agents were required to complete 7 of the 8 webinars. These 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 participants to view demonstrations of tools and processes, as well as disease symptoms and signs. After each webinar, each participant completed a quiz. All sessions were recorded, so agents were able to access the program within a week of the training date. These recordings also allowed for this information to be maintained as a resource for agents. 

Each webinar included between 46 and 57 participants. Surveys indicated that agents gave mean ratings of 9.24, 8.29, 8.59, and 9.53 out of 10.00 for convenience, visual and clarity of samples, time allotted for each topic/pathogen group, and video playback for make-up options, respectively. Knowledge of all webinar topics increased an average of 63% as a result of participation. The survey also indicated that 89% of agents had already put into practice skills gained from the webinar series. Ninety-two percent of participants indicated that they would recommend this webinar series to agents at all experience levels. Feedback from agents was positive with one commenting, “I have learned important ways of how to approach a homeowner who knows there is a problem but has no idea of what it is or how to help control the issue. From this class I have much more confidence in my ability to be the person for a resident to call on when they have a plant in decline.”    

Part 2.  The second part of the program was a full-day, hands-on training and field practicum. The practicum built upon the previous online trainings that were completed in the months prior.  This program was offered in four locations across the state.  In order to qualify for the certificate program, agents were required to attend one session. The practicum consisted of a field walk to educate participants on the most effective approaches to a field visit. The practicum also consisted of classroom sessions focused on skills trainings and hands-on diagnostic exercises.  Participants worked in groups to practice various diagnostic methods.  The session concluded with a series of case studies that required agents to utilize their cumulative skills. 

A total of 50 agents completed the field practicum sessions. A survey found that knowledge increased in the following areas: how to make a field visit (28%), techniques and skills for analyzing a sample (29%), disease management recommendations (32%), and making a diagnosis (37%). An increase in confidence when making a field visit, gathering data, and collecting appropriate samples (23%); evaluating a sample and applying new skills (29%); making disease management recommendations (26%); and making a diagnosis, knowing limits, and preparing a proper Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab submission (31%) was recorded. Agents also indicated a high level of anticipated ability to implement skills in the areas of making a field visit, techniques and skills for analyzing samples, making disease management recommendations, and making diagnoses with mean ratings of 8.78, 8.17, 7.96, and 8.15 (out of 10.00), respectively. Of those agents that completed the practicum, 94% would recommend the program to agents at all experience levels. Feedback from this program was positive with one agent commenting, “Wonderful program toady. I really enjoyed the hands-on learning. It all came together so well for me, and I feel much more comfortable to approach disease calls.”  

Earning the Certificate: Conclusion.  This program required completion of a series of 7 webinars and 1 full-day practicum in order to earn the certificate. All portions of the certificate program were facilitated by a faculty 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.” Program resources remain available to agents via a dedicated webpage.   Due to the complex nature of this program, we anticipate repeating it every 3-4 years.