The year 2020, will forever be in our minds as one of the most challenging years, but with great challenge, the Logan County Extension Service found great opportunities to serve through innovative thinking and planning. When traditional educational programming was unavailable, the Logan County Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, and 4-H & Youth Development as well as the SNAP-Ed Assistant created opportunities for educational growth.

Zero-touch drive-thru’s have been a great way to serve clientele with needed items and materials while maintaining safe distancing to limit potential spread of the COVID-19 virus. With community partners like Family Resources Youth Service Centers and Russellville Rotary, the Logan CES was able to serve over 2500 families in multiple events, serving preschoolers, families, and senior citizens.

Grab-Bags and Surprise Boxes have also been a new way to serve our clientele. Through the pandemic, the Logan CES created multiple themed grab-bags to serve families while at home, encouraging family growth, communication, and working together. These bags were available at certain locations outside the Extension Office during set times to reach clients of all backgrounds and working times. The surprise boxes were mailed to our existing 4-H Cloverbuds and members with links to video instruction, recorded be the Extension Agents, or to social media live events so all members could work together while staying at home. Topics of home gardening, tree planting, beef, dairy, and STEM activities were just some of the many addressed in the grab bags and surprise boxes.

Educational programming took new forms in 2020, including virtual programming in several formats to serve various audiences. Agents and Assistants recorded and live streamed many lessons and programs that were shared with elementary schools, local broadcasts, and social media platforms. Unlike in previous years, the Logan County Agriculture Appreciation Luncheon was streamed in every third grade classroom in the county as well as being watched by community leaders.

The Logan County Extension Office also served as the community host for events and meeting through the pandemic where social distancing was required. Our large indoor and outdoor meeting spaces were equipped and available to serve community members and groups in efforts to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including becoming the host of the county-wide vaccine clinic.

Even thou 2020 has been a challenging year, the Logan County Extension Service has been a driving force of community growth and family growth. By utilizing all facilities and services to create innovative ways of communication and reach, the Logan CES has been able to serve over 2650 families and over 8494 individuals, not including community members utilizing their opportunity for free Wi-Fi on the Extension Campus.