Communications team promotes agriculture research and Extension across the region
One of the biggest challenges faced by professionals across the agriculture industry is sharing the message of the great work being done in the field. New research discoveries, advancements in technology, and improved farming practices are leading the charge to secure a bright future for agriculture. But across the country, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture down to the county Extension office, many struggle to get their information out to farmers, communities, and stakeholders.
The College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems has a dedicated and diverse communications team that strives to promote those successes through video, photography, graphics, publicity, social media, and community events.
Investing in the importance of communicating these messages, Kentucky State University's Land Grant Program upgraded its on-campus video production studio to high-definition in order to create modern educational, promotional, and instruction-based videos to help inform farmers and community members about research and extension efforts happening at the university.
“The work of our research and Extension staff is important and impactful,” says Blair Hess, media and communications manager for the Land Grant Program. “It is our job to make sure that work makes a lasting impression on the community.”
Trevor Claiborn, farm technician and Extension assistant in Agriculture, Food, and Environment, created Farmer Brown Tha MC, the character of a rapping farmer who creates hip-hop content to educate youth about agricultural and environmental sciences. Farmer Brown reaches out to urban, limited-resource families and students who may have never previously considered the agriculture industry as a possible educational and career path.
In 2017, the Land Grant communications team, which is made up of Hess and Claiborn along with Dennis Thomas, Joe Allen, Charles Weibel, Wyvette Williams, Saundra Birch, Lyndsey McGaha, Greg Smith, and Ashley Craigmyle, will work to bring educational opportunities to communities we've previously been unable to reach. This will be achieved through additional upgrades and community partnerships with the Kentucky Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Kentucky Department of Education. The new technology will help KSU Extension create innovative productions to promote sustainable economies, environments, communities, and families.