During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kentucky Horticulture agents, headed by Andrea Stith and Amy Aldenderfer, started the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays as an alternative to in-person horticulture lessons. The live webinars are Wednesdays at 1 p.m. CT / 2 p.m. ET and. Utilizing a volunteer scheduling website, agents, specialists and other experts were recruited to present a 30-minute lesson to the general public, with time at the end for questions. All the presentations are recorded, then posted to: www.kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/, along with the slides, notes, a survey, and any other source materials that a viewer may need, thanks to Kelly Jackson. From the initial surveys following each presentation, 99.8% of respondents felt that the topics each week are relevant, 99.3% felt the information was presented in a clear way that was easily understood, and 71% planned to use the knowledge they gained, during each presentation, within 3 months or sooner.

Advertising via social media and traditional media outlets by agents and specialists have garnered audiences in excess of 100 during the “shelter in place” order. UK Ag Communications has also helped by providing an article; “Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays bring spring into your home” (http://news.ca.uky.edu/article/%E2%80%9Chorticulture-webinar-wednesdays%E2%80%9D-bring-spring-your-home). The extension director also included the sessions in the weekly update during the pandemic. 

At the time of this writing (June 2020) there have been thirteen (13) webinars, with more planned through September 2020. The audience of 1,087 participants was composed of Master Gardeners achieving Continuing Education Credits, Extension personnel searching for in-service credit, Farmers fulfilling CAIP grant requirements, and others just learning something new for their own enjoyment. The attendance at these sessions has varied from 80-140 depending on the topic. Various topics covering fruit & vegetable gardening, flower gardening, lawn care and maintenance, and pest control were presented.

The attendees of the first 10 webinars were contacted to share their impressions and knowledge gained from participation in the webinars. The follow-up survey showed the following results:

97% of respondents are going to plant cool season crops to extend their gardening season.

92% stated they can identify insects in their garden.

89% reported that they used an IPM Principle in their garden.

89% stated they have started a vegetable garden this year or revived a lagging one.

87% of respondents have raised their mowing height.

81% stated they used their knowledge gain from the webinar to correct a problem with their own compost bin.

78% stated they plan on growing asparagus next year.

78% stated they are going to try planting a second crop to harvest in the fall.

The horticulture agents have had great feedback with this series. One participant shared this on their survey, “I really look forward to these webinars on Wednesday, appreciate all the efforts to put these together & learning how to do all this remote learning during this time!!” This statewide cooperative endeavor proved to be successful as it met the needs of various individual groups of people and participation has remained steady.