Prior to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Crittenden County Extension Service page was not used to it’s fullest extent by all of the agents. 4-H programs and event pictures were posted and the staff assistant was great at posting fliers for all areas of our upcoming event but that was about all we used the social media for.  But the Coronavirus forces us to step out of our comfort zone, rethink the way we deliver education programs and reach out to a whole new audience. 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.  (In January of 2015 there were only 300 page “likes”.)  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 Facebook page. The office page has been viewed a total of 2,386 during this time period also.  Besides posting webinars and programs the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment have provided, each agent has taught their own lessons via video.  Some of these include:  STEM activities, Grab and Go kit instrcutions, Making a desert dish garden (all agents), Cooking through the Calendar cooking demonstrations, Cook together Eat together Facebook Live group. 

Because of our Facebook page during this time, we have been able to reach a new audience as well as keep in touch with our client base.  We have had many positive comments to our Extension office about the posts we have made and activities provided.