The COVID-19 pandemic created what could be stumbling blocks to delivering programs and educational events for extension clients. To address the needs of their clients and overcome these stumbling blocks, the Crittenden County Extension Office turned to alternative program delivery methods. These methods included distributing educational resources through social media, grab and go bags, and remote client consultation by phone. 

Soil testing, plant disease and insect identification samples continued by using phones, email and an external drop off location for samples. ANR Dee Heimgartner utilized her cell phone to receive pictures of several different plant diseases and insects from clients for identification. Soil samples were dropped off using a drop box behind the office. 

On site instruction was halted during the pandemic so to address educational programming needs Facebook videos was utilized by Heimgartner to deliver educational programming on soil samples, herb gardens, lawn maintenance and gardening tips. Facebook was also a way to release information using infographics, guess the plant of the week games for plant identification, and general agriculture and home horticulture publications. Since March 18, 2020 the Crittenden County Extension Facebook page has grown by 101 new people that liked the page bringing the total number of page likes to 1,215 people. During the first month of COVID pandemic the page likes increased by 46 or 557% increase from the previous month. People have engaged in page post by liking, sharing or commenting a total of 15,408 times. The page has reached a total of 33,300 people since March 18. Page reach is the amount of people who have seen any content from our Face book page. The office page has been viewed a total of 2,386 during this time period also. One of Heimgartners post on the asian giant hornets was shared 80 times and reached 7,599 people.

During the COVID pandemic, Crittenden County Extension Service offered “Grab and Go” bags with projects from all three program areas during the months of March and April.   88 % of the audience polled picked up bags 2 or more times with half of that percentage getting them more than 5 times.   Because of the educational information that our extension office offered, we reached a new audience, 24% of the people picking up bags were new clientele.   Of the activities provided, families enjoyed (in order of rank of highest to lowest) the family activities the most with also liking agriculture/gardening bags, arts, cooking, STEM activities, healthy living, photography, sewing , natural resources and budgeting.  79% of the audience polled indicated they or a family member learned a new skill.  Most examples included that their family is learning how to garden and take care of plants while learning about seeds, soil, and how plants grow. Because of the activities and educational resources provided, 79% of people polled indicated that their families are making healthy lifestyle choices, 95% we engaging in more family time, 83% said they were growing a garden together, and 100% of the audience polled said they will continue to use the services that the Crittenden County Extension Service provides.  There was also a place for people to add their name, address and phone number if they would like to receive more information about what the Crittenden County Extension Service provides to the community.   We feel as an office that during this time that we were able to still provide clientele with quality educational programming for the whole family and it was a positive service to help people and families during this stressful time. Heimgartner provided bags on beef cattle; natural resources; hypertufa containers; flowers, herbs, vegetables and a salsa garden. A total of 271 bags of information and activities were provided by the ANR agent.