Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kentucky Horticulture agents, headed by Andrea Stith and Amy Aldenderfer, started the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays as an alternative to in-person horticulture lessons.  The live webinars are Wednesdays at 2 p.m. ET and 1 p.m. CT.  Utilizing a volunteer scheduling website, agents, specialists and other experts were recruited to present a 30 minute lesson to the general public, with time at the end for questions.  All the presentations are recorded, then posted to the Kentucky Hort News along with the slides, notes, a survey, and any other source materials that a viewer may need.  www.kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/ 

Advertising via social media and traditional media outlets by agents and specialists have garnered audiences in excess of 100 during the “shelter in place” order.  UK Ag Comminucations has also helped by providing an article, “Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays” bring spring into your home” (http://news.ca.uky.edu/article/%E2%80%9Chorticulture-webinar-wednesdays%E2%80%9D-bring-spring-your-home).

With thirteen session there have been 1,087 participants with between 80-140 attending each session.  The audience is composed of Master Gardeners achieving Continuing Education Credits, Extension personnel searching for in-service credit, Farmers fulfilling CAIP grant requirements, and others just learning something new for their own enjoyment.

At the time of this writing (June 2020) there have been thirteen (13) webinars, with more planned through September 2020.  The first 10 webinars attendees have been contacted to share their impressions and knowledge gained by participating in the webinars.  Their insights are as follows:

Backyard Black Raspberries with Shawn Wright, Horticulture Specialist at Robinson Station: 

Participants: 124

Average duration of stay: 42.5 minutes

Follow up survey participants: 29

Things people learned: Varieties for Kentucky, how to care for plants, recommended fertility and pH levels, they are easy to grow, how to avoid pests and diseases.

60% of respondents have or are going to plant black raspberries.