In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in person meeting being canceled we were looking for a way to get programs to the people in the counties. The Leiws ANR worked with  the Carter County Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent has created several “Around the Farm” videos to assist farmers and homeowners with their farming operation as well as their gardens and landscapes, and the Mason County Horticulture Agent to create “Plant Professional” videos to assist with home and commercial horticulture clientele.   The videos have been posted to Facebook and on the newly created Carter County Ag YouTube channel and the Plant Professional Channel

The videos have proved to be a successful tool to reach people while the office has been closed to the public.   Within minutes of posting a video about soil sampling, a local farmer called and asked for more information and the tools needed to a practice on their farm.  

 After viewing the video on how to properly treat lice in cattle, a producer called and asked for the plans to build a livestock scale, that was designed by UK Biosysems and Engineering, that were mentioned in the video. It is important to treat with proper amounts so that we can slow down resistance to pest that cattle producers face.

Teaming with the Mason County Horticulture Agent, we developed a series on container gardening. With the pandemic in full force many people were wanting to raise their own food due to the unstable food supply in America. Brown Bags kits containing seeds and SNAP recipes were made and set up so that people could start their own garden. Also a flower arrangement video was done to allow families to make their own flower arrangements to relieve stress while making a low cost arrangement  at home.   

The videos will also be a valuable tool in the future.  Clientele will be able to view them at their own connivance to help with problems as they occur.   Office staff are also able to refer people to the videos when they call with a specific question