Being the featured speaker at Paducah Rotarians meeting 30 Sep 2020 was a fine opportunity to tell about McCracken County Cooperative Extension and the services/programs/outreach we offer. There were about 40 people in attendance on the Zoom link, due to the Covid -19 Pandemic. Participants were able to view the slideshow presentation approved by the County Manager Robert Tashjian.

    By attending on Zoom, Rotarians were able see and hear the McCracken County Horticulture Agent Kathryn Wimberley. This was Paducah Rotary's regular weekly meeting. 

    Agent covered  the topic of defining Extension plus how Extension provides educational information in the 4 program areas: ANR, FCS, 4 - H and Horticulture. Supplementing the 4 program areas, shared in the talk, were information on McCracken County Extension areas of SNAP, CEDIK and KSU's participation by State Aquaculture Specialist Forrest Wynne. As Horticulture Agent, showcasing the role of Extension Master Gardeners was a large part of the program. It was helpful to explain to the Rotarians how Extension is carried out by not only Agents and Staff Support, but also by trained volunteers. 

    Questions at the end of the presentation were about our current, soil-testing program at no charge for McCracken County residents and also the Backpack Program. An individual asked about supplying food for the backpacks.  Horticulture Agent presenting the program explained that we did not wish to appear greedy, but that monetary donations are appreciated, due to the purchase of food by the 4 -H Agent in bulk.  (Dollars go farther when the food can be purchased at the cheaper, bulk rate.)

    Of interest to multiple Rotarians was the news of the Walking Trail, now a works-in-progress at our McCracken County Extension Office. Horticulture Agent showed a rough-draft of the location and size of the Walking Trail.  The talk included how the Walking Trail should prove to be a very safe place for exercise by McCracken Countians, due to the fact that the completed site shall 1.) be ADA compliant and 2.) the open space has high visibility of the building.   

    By the day after the talk, 6 thank-you's have been received from the Paducah Rotarians.  One resident followed up by email to the Horticulture Agent and asked how to do a soil-test as a result of the presentation.