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 30-45 minute lesson to the public, with time at the end for questions.  All the presentations were 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 Communications 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 thirty-four sessions there have been approximately 2,500 participants with between 60-140 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.

Thirty-four (34) webinars were broadcast from March through November 2020. Given its popularity of this program with participants from across the state and beyond, Season 2 is underway for 2021.