To date 2020 has been a year of challenge, change and create all due to the circumstances of COVID 19.  Of the 20 + years in Extension, I have not undergone so many cancellations, postponements and rescheduling in such a short period of time.  Patience has been key to the challenges in both our work and home life.   As 4-H Extension agents we are not alone for this also affects the 4-H families that we work with.  

As one ages, change does not come easy and I have certainly learned that the younger you are the easier it is to adapt.    However, when dealing with a younger audience you too must embrace technology and learn to take advantage of a different way of conducting business.   Challenge and change go hand in hand, since late March we have not been able to conduct business as usual.   Face to Face meetings ceased to exist and “social distancing” seemed to be the new norm.  

In order to keep in touch with many of the 4-H families I have learned that “virtual” meetings are probably the next best thing to everyone being in the same room together.  For many 4-Her’s dealing with animal science projects, spring and summer is a very busy time of year and it important to be able to keep in contact with them.  During the months of April and May I have continued with our regularly scheduled meeting dates however this time held over Zoom.  This was a bit of a learning curve for my 4-Hers although they use computers regularly in the classroom and use Google meet or hang out, but most have never used Zoom.  I told them if I could do it so could they.

The first meeting was a bit of a test run.  Everyone was e-mailed agendas and officers were given the necessary information for roll call, minutes and treasurers report.  I would estimate 95% on-line attendance with parents present as we discussed the current situation of events.  In fact, I think they had way too much fun at the time.   Before adjourning everyone agreed to meet at the same time next month to discuss and vote on some serious items as cancellation of our county fair was announced the week before.  

By the May meeting I too had learned a few more tricks of the trade using Zoom and had therefore challenged my livestock club members to pay attention and learn as well how to utilize this technology.   They experienced screen sharing, chat room, virtual hand signals and using a poll upon voting on certain topics.   They were more attentive, stayed focused on the agenda and other attachments that I had previously sent to them via e-mail.   Again, with over 90% on-line attendance, I was very impressed.  In fact, one family with 4 girls, the parents had to use another means to get on-line for the kids wanted to do it themselves without their help!

Old dogs can learn new tricks and we have our next meeting scheduled in June to finalize some events in lieu of our county fair cancellation.