Author: Jeremy Williams
Planning Unit: Harlan County CES
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Plan of Work: Improve and sustain agriculture production
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Not only did COVID-19 create challenges on a global scale, but Extension programming also faced unprecedented barriers. As conventional meetings became restricted or eliminated entirely, delivery of educational programming required adaptation from both sides -- educators and clientele. When it became apparent in March 2020 that Extension educational programming delivery would need to adapt, agents in Virginia and Kentucky organized a series of educational offerings via Zoom. By the end of May 2021, 135 Mountain Zooms had been offered. Sessions were taught by personnel from Virginia Cooperative Extension, University of Kentucky Extension, Kentucky State University and Virginia State University, as well as by master volunteers and representatives of other agencies. Attendance at the series remained strong throughout the year, with 56 percent of the Zooms seeing an attendance of 15 or more and 20 percent with 20 or more attendees. Peak attendance at any one session was 65, and in addition to participation from Virginia and Kentucky, log-ins from Tennessee, Montana, Indiana, Ohio, Canada and even Paraguay were noted. Total attendance at the Mountain Zoom sessions came to 1366. Furthermore, postings of recorded sessions on YouTube resulted in 1094 additional, indirect contacts. Through a survey, participants shared specific examples of knowledge gained or actions taken as a result of what they'd learned. They reported adopting the use of cover crops, protection of pollinator species, the use of drip irrigation, a more mindful use of pesticides and the incorporation of safer food preservation practices. An unintended result of the series was an opportunity for families to learn together during an unsettling time. Spouses, grandparents, parents and children quite often participated in the series together.
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