Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 7/28/20


“If I’d known I’d be doing these videos, I’d have paid better attention in class,” Tim Hambrick, four-county NC Extension agent joked about NC State Extension’s video training course. Many regional and local Extension agents are tapping video technology to fill the void of canceled field day gatherings. It’s a new, timely skill set that agents are scrambling to master for their clients’ benefit.

“I’ll never advocate for virtual replacing face to face events. But for educational purposes, I think videos are very effective,” said Jenny Carleo, Extension area specialized agent. 

Short Format Success
I’ll never advocate for virtual replacing face to face events. But for educational purposes, I think videos are very effective.

Carleo dove into ag video production while previously working with Rutgers Cooperative Extension. She led a team producing 20-minute virtual field trip videos which were effective but long. In 2019 she took the initiative to use these honed skills for North Carolina growers benefit and received grants from the Corn Growers Association of North Carolina, the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association, and the North Carolina Small Grain Growers Association to develop shorter videos on commodity production for the state.  The videos have been well received, and their success is creating more demand.

“Jenny was well ahead of the times on video production as she was making or planning many of these videos prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a huge catalyst in helping specialists and agents deliver content to their clientele in new formats,” said Rachel Vann, NC State Soybean Extension Specialist.

The COVID Catalyst
The current statewide recommendation limits in-person gatherings to 25 or fewer attendees.  Tough math when local field days typically draw 100 or more. “Holding multiple events with 25 people at a time is hard to pull off – especially when we are trying to coordinate with Extension specialists across the state,” Hambrick said. He acknowledges that his events may take on a different format this year.  “As farms get bigger and farmers’ time gets busier, these videos do allow us to present more information and get it out quickly.” 

So the timing on Jenny Carleo’s video production career has been well-timed. And she is thinking beyond field days.  “I’m using video to capture the entire research project. Field days are great for Q&A, but you’re standing in a field showing growers a snapshot of a project. You have no idea what the results will be,” she said. “We have this amazing advantage this year to intentionally capture the whole growing season and data analysis and then package and release it over the winter.” The new format promises a better knowledge gain for the farmer.

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