"Moving The Great Bend Farm and Ranch show from a live event to virtual in a 2-week span to innovate and adapt programming to an online format for the first time. This allowed participants to engage with specialists while adhering to local and state guidelines at the beginning of the pandemic"
Cottonwood District Ag PDC (Program Development Committee) members identified grain marketing and on-farm grain storage as important issues in 2020. A “Grain Market Outlook & Strategies for 2020” program ws presented, and broadcast on the Cottonwood Facebook page https://bit.ly/2L6MXy3 Local coops & grain companies participated in a panel discussion about marketing opportunities.
The Cottonwood & Walnut Creek District had planned an in-person “On Farm Grain Storage” program, but moved it to a virtual format with Facebook Live. Presenters included an instructor with the K-State International Grains Program and representative from the Farm Service Agency.
AGRICULTURE
4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Officer training for 4-H youth from Cottonwood, Midway and Post Rock Districts successfully helped youth grow in their elected roles . This collaborative, virtual effort utilized the experience of several 4-H alumni and community leaders to help youth to understand parliamentary procedure and communication skills and develop leadership skills. Skills learned benefit their club in the short term and life-long impacts with future employers, civic boards, and the business community.
4-H Ambassadors met virtually for a session of interactive learning. 4-H Ambassadors in the Cottonwood District, are 9th-12th graders who have completed 2 years in 4-H. Topics for the work session included social media platforms, how to engage in a virtual world, and reaching new audiences all while keeping the National 4-H theme of "Opportunity 4 All" in mind. Each county was provided time to brainstorm and plan local activities
Thriving Across Generation: Succession Planning in Rural Kansas was a collaborative effort with the FHSU Small Business Development and High Plains Mental Health in March at the FHSU Memorial Union. The forty-seven participants included ag families, small business owners and individual families. Post surveys revealed that the level of understanding before and after the program increased in every area discussed:
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Comments from participants regarding the benefits of the program included:
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Enrollment for the new 4-H year began October 1st, so now is a great time to check out the opportunities that 4-H can provide for the youth in your life!
Estate Planning 2020 https://youtu.be/Mgh9rSdbSYs