USU Extension professionals are working every day in Utah and we have not stopped or slowed our services through the COVID-19 pandemic. Our more than140 faculty and experts, strategically located throughout the state, were nimble and worked diligently to provide meaningful programming through these extraordinary times.
Through social media, email, websites and more, we provided home, family, finance, and health and wellness information people needed. We are so proud of the food distribution programs we provided as well as the traditional education areas we have been able to maintain. Extension has pivoted quickly to meet the needs of youth, many of which have struggled with feeling disconnected from their peers, impacting their mental health. Demand for our agriculture, horticulture and related programming has increased ten-fold and we have met that need with virtual field days, social media connections and YouTube videos. Our award winning Rural Online Initiative became even more relevant and expanded its reach to include those in our urban areas struggling with job loss due to COVID-19.
We will continue to serve the people of Utah both virtually and face-to-face now and in the future. We are proud of the impacts we are having and the programming we provide to improve the lives of Utahans.
Finally, we are thrilled to launch this new publication Outcomes & Impacts Quarterly. Throughout the year we will collect the impactful and inspiring stories demonstrating the essential work USU Extension provides to our local communities and provide it to you in this newsletter format. Please read on below for a selection of highlighted programming in this inaugural issue of Outcomes & Impacts Quarterly.
