The process of agriculture did not stop or even alter course for the Covid-19 pandemic.  In fact agriculture producers needed the helpful information and educational programs of the Cooperative Extensive Service even more.   As the Barren County Cooperative Extension office physically closed its door and transitioned to remote working environment, service to the agriculture producers had to shift as well.    Creatively and technology helped to reinvent the way clients’ needs were met.  Yet in this age for video conferencing and web based meeting, a simple phone call or farm visit made all the difference to producers.  Many Extension clients have grown accustom to “just stopping by the Extension office” if they have a need or question.  During the Covid-19 induced office closure call forwarding technology, text messaging, and prompt returning of calls help producers get the answers they sought.  Extension adapted to the situation because our clients still remain our top priority.   

One Monday morning I was greeted with a phone call from a local crop protection business about the appearance of 3” long grasshoppers in the wheat field.  The 2020 wheat crop had already received substantial freeze damage from not one by two late season freeze events.  The wheat producer, who already had suffered a major financial set-back due to the freeze, was almost in a panic of the thought of 3” long grasshoppers eating the rest of his crop.  After three visits including one with a specialist we were able to determine that the 3” long grasshopper were migratory and simply moving through.  The calming and reassuring look on the producers face cannot be quantified, but during this time of great uncertainty being able to calm and reassure a producer is very important.

I ran into this producer at local business about 4 weeks later.  He said had started harvesting wheat and we discussed yields.  He then said, “I want to thank you for coming out multiple times.  I guess all this craziness in the world was getting to me.  Y’all (the Extension Service) helped calm me down.”  You can put a dollar figure on this type reassurance or relief that coming through the information and understanding brought by the Extension Service.