Data from the 2020 UF/IFAS Extension Workload shows that Extension’s services continued to meet the demand for information and education throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a decline in-person contacts, but there was growth in online and virtual contacts.  Connections by email and text messages increased by 60%.  Source: http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/tomobreza/2021/04/06/numbers-confirm-extension-powers-through-the-pandemic.

 Utilizing the afore mentioned data as a benchmark for extension programming during the pandemic emphasis was placed on increased social media contacts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Kentucky State University Area Specialist   provided social media events (Album) on topics during the holidays to assist families with holiday decorating and cooking, 

This event on social media included newsletter information on buying and preparing a turkey, e recipes for a holiday meal, alternatives to turkey, and side dishes, how to carve a turkey video, and “Pumpkin seed”. Inexpensive holiday wreaths and indoor decorations videos received for dates of November to Mid-December, there were 1222 social media contacts. 

 The Slower cooker Event included topics on advantages of slow cooker, food safety, and various types of cookers. From Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with a total of 503 were reached.

The KY Saves week event reached 689 social media contacts with information and tips to increase consumer saving. These social media events reached a total of 2415 contacts for this concentrated effort to drive traffic to these sites.