National extension workshop: Connecting learners and educators to broaden reach and maximize impact in the 21st century

Disseminating training nationwide through the Cooperative Extension Service, particularly as global demand for poultry products continues to increase, is critical for sustainable poultry production. Increasing urbanization, globalization of the poultry industry, consumer interest in animal welfare and labor shortages present opportunities for Extension professionals to engage diverse audiences and increase agricultural literacy. As part of the Poultry Science Association's 2024 National Extension Workshop, we presented examples of initiatives aimed at connecting educators, teachers and learners to address some of the pressing issues facing the poultry industry. The Frontline to Farm Program (F2F) is an example of a multi-layered, tailored training and outreach approach that assists military veterans with their farming endeavors. The F2F program has reached 60,000 people to date and continues to assist veterans as they transition to civilian life. In addition to developing targeted Extension programs such as F2F and others, developing training opportunities for future Extension professionals is critical for the sustainability of the U.S. poultry industry. Many undergraduate students and youth are unaware of the career opportunities in Extension. Examples of successful approaches to incorporate younger generations into Extension are the Hatch-Out Program and poultry summer camps at Mississippi State University. Tailored to younger audiences, these programs use "bite-size" learning, technology and social learning techniques. Another approach to increase awareness of Extension opportunities is to connect students with Extension Educators as part of transformative learning opportunities. For example, the study abroad program to Vietnam offered at Purdue University, originally developed at Michigan State University, broadens students' perspectives of Extension and can lead to the development of intercultural competency, enabling students and Extension professionals to better communicate with diverse audiences. Communication is key to the success of Extension, and communicating with people who make decisions about animal agriculture, whether through their purchases or their votes, can significantly impact poultry production. Informal learning events, such as exhibits at state fairs, provide opportunities to reach broad audiences and increase their knowledge of agriculture. Continued success of Extension efforts at supporting stakeholders relies on multi-dimensional approaches to engage diverse audiences, which are enhanced by close collaboration among teachers, educators and scientists.