ANR Agent’s Response to COVID-19
Author: Don Sorrell
Planning Unit: Campbell County CES
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Plan of Work: Improving the Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability of Agriculture Operations
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The Extension Service traditional ways of communicating with clients changed dramatically (not as much with ANR agents) with the onset of COVID -19 pandemic. The following are ways that I have reached out to the agriculture community during the pandemic.
- Sent out a letter and then a newsletter to farmers letting them know that I was still very much available to serve their needs. This information included my home and cell phone numbers and e-mail address. This information also assured the farmers I could do farm visits as usual with social distancing.
- Sent out a postage paid post card asking farmers to share their e-mail addresses so we could improve communication via e-mail, Zoom and Facebook.
- Made COVID-19 information available at Southern States farm store display.
- Sent out a special mailing about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
- Worked with Campbell County Cattle Association and Northern KY Horse Network with Zoom and conference call meetings.
- Connected producers to Zoom programs (such as Tuesday evening Beef webinar series)
- Developed a list of UK and other good agriculture websites, videos and other resources for producers to use.
- Developed 5 Youtube videos to assist farmers with timely topics. (adjusting the no-till drill, taking soil tests, understanding soil test samples, weed control in pastures and hay fields and establishing forage crops. These videos went out on Facebook and are on the Extension website.
- Developed two on farm demonstrations (weed control in hay and pasture fields and Roundup Ready alfalfa) I hope to showcase these in late summer or early fall as field days.
- Improved my Facebook postings. ANR and Horticulture Facebook contacts has increased as much as 8X since the onset of the virus.