Virtual education programs reach clientele where they live

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2025, Connecticut, Crop Management, Extension, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State University, North Central, Northeast, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Purdue University, University of Connecticut, Urban Agriculture

Since 2020, virtual education has increasingly helped land-grant university research and Extension programs be more available to clientele where they live. These virtual programs are user-friendly and can be tailored to an audience’s educational level. By creating a virtual series that is informative and interactive, land-grant universities can significantly enhance the reach and impact of research and Extension information.

Here are a few examples of that work:

In Michigan, a virtual breakfast series provided timely, in-season information to field crop farmers and agribusiness professionals through 26 weekly webinars. The series covered topics like pest management, soil health and weather analysis, reaching over 4,700 live participants and garnering 9,000 additional views across multiple platforms. With 79% of participants planning management changes, the program could impact over 4.5 million acres of agricultural land, delivering an estimated total value increase of $2.8 million to Michigan’s field crop industry.
Michigan State University Extension; Smith-Lever (3b&c). See full statement.
Extension professionals in Michigan also hosted a four-part webinar series where 615 Christmas tree growers from 38 states and four Canadian providences discussed site and species selection, insect and disease management, nursery production systems and soil fertility. After completing the webinar, 95%of the participants said they will make a change in plant production practices. Participants represent 266,054 acres.
Michigan State University Extension; Smith-Lever (3b&c). See full statement.
Connecticut Extension professionals led the fourth Vegetable Production Online Certificate Course, training 53 new and beginning farmers in multiple areas to better operate their own farms. The post-course evaluation showed their knowledge on the subjects increased from an average of 51% before the course to 80% after the course.
Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, Smith-Lever (3b&c). See full statement.
Indiana’s Beginning Farmers program contributes to the development of farm and business plans for those new to farming. Ninety percent of the participants created a farm plan, 80% created a business plan and 70% analyzed farm finances to make a change. Seventy percent developed relationships and connected with other farmers, producers and participants interested in diversified farming and local food systems.
Purdue Extension. Smith-Lever (3b&c). See full statement.