as trusted partnerships, Extension educators are relied upon by state or local governments to prepare objective information used in informing government response (FAO, 2020).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care, educational, agricultural, and economic systems may be changed virtually overnight as governments seek to limit transmission. Extension educators can be immediately forced to change how they function as institutions and

organizations. This also includes how they prepare to offer various services to clientele. Extension faculties/specialists can rapidly adapt to offering programming virtually. They can also serve as a link and resource aggregator for clientele. They are responsible to work with local and state stakeholders/partners to prepare services and resources for underserved communities

Focusing on facts is necessary to increase general information among communities and encourage them to get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, county health officials shared their perspectives on why some counties appear to be hit harder by the pandemic. One finding is that low vaccination rates continue to lead to higher positive tests. In Spencer County, approximately 43% of the population tested positive for the virus. Only 33% of Spencer County residents are fully vaccinated. This rate trails our northcentral district and many other counties in Kentucky (Mattingly, 2022). Individuals are now more likely to

get tested if they are having symptoms. For example, Hardin County's 41% positivity rate translates to 278 cases per 100,000 people. This is 56 points higher than Kentucky's average. Groups of Extension educators must be cautious against looking at the numbers and jumping to conclusions. Indeed, Extension educators need to look holistically and at various variables and factors in making determinations (Mattingly, 2022).

Kentucky’s average. Groups of Extension educators must be cautious against looking at the numbers and jumping to conclusions. Indeed, Extension educators need to look holistically and at various variables and factors in making determinations (Mattingly, 2022).

Groups of Extension educators are valued for helping individuals and communities recover and build resilience during the pandemic and for future events. Extension educators play an undeniable role in understanding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemics often lead to losses and damages in productivity and reduced output, which affect food availability, reduce incomes, and affect household financial security (Ngegba et al., 2015). During pandemics, food insecurity increases, as buying habits, food production efforts, and marketing channels are disrupted by government restrictions and fear-induced changes in habits (Grove et al., 2020). Following the crisis, investment in agricultural Extension and education is requested to improve food security (Action Against Hunger, 2015). The World Bank views Extension educators as a complement to improved seed and access to agricultural technologies as key to enhancing food security via improving farmer lives and livelihoods (Toure, 2015). Various groups of Extension educators should support local producers throughout the process and in all areas of the value chains; this means they need a broad set of capacities (Chen et al., 2020).

Extension agents/assistants can offer support during uncertainty and sudden changes that come with the pandemic, as well as strategies to bounce back from shocks and enhance resilience. Some markets, such as fruits or vegetables, may disappear when flights are reduced or food export bans are enacted. Extension educators can help