Gardening in the Panhandle: LIVE! A Lesson in Harnessing Teamwork and Technology to Better Reach Clientele
Extension Education
Daniel Leonard
County Extension Director
UF/IFAS Calhoun County Extension
Blountstown
Abstract
Since the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in 2020, UF/IFAS Extension Agents have had to adapt to changing clientele preferences by eschewing exclusively in-person educational models in favor of a more virtual approach. This sea change in societal norms caused us to develop an innovative way to reach residential horticulture clientele. Inspired by instances of Agents in other geographic areas offering “Ask an Agent Anything” online seminars as a way to attract home-bound clientele, but wanting to focus more on specific, timely topics, the Northwest District Horticulture Program Implementation Team (PIT) collaborated to create a program series called Gardening in the Panhandle LIVE! Each session covered a seasonally relevant topic with knowledgeable panelists based on their individual specialties. The series was broadcast using both Zoom Webinar videoconferencing technology and Facebook Live to capture the largest possible audience. To comply with ADA guidelines for hearing disabled clientele, episode recordings were edited with closed captioning for YouTube. Delivering each episode requires a team of 7-9 agents in the following roles: 3-4 panelists, an episode “host”, a Zoom technician, and several “behind the scenes” moderators. While the episode’s host and panelists are answering questions, the moderators are adding resource links to chats, answering pop-up questions, and filtering and forwarding potential on-air questions to the emcee. The innovative collaboration has created 25 episodes and engaged a total of 1,582 live viewers since 2020 on various social media platforms. Follow up survey participation was completed at a rate of 18% (277/1,534). 98% (272/277) of respondents reported knowledge gain in at least one Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principle. 81% (224/277) of respondents reported a plan to adopt at least one Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principle as a result of participation in the program.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Daniel Leonard
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Leonard, D. County Extension Director, UF/IFAS Calhoun County Extension, Florida, 32424