EDUCATION, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY ARE KEY TO SLOWING THE SPREAD OF NEW INVASIVE WEEDS.
Barker, F. J.1; Leeds, R.P.2; Smith, J.E.31Extension Educator, Agriculture, OSU Extension Knox County, Mount Vernon, OH, 43050
2Extension Educator, Agriculture, OSU Extension Delaware County, Delaware, OH, 43015
3Extension Educator, Agriculture/4-H, OSU Extension Delaware County, Delaware, OH, 43015
Abstract:
Two new invasive and devastating herbicide resistant weeds; Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) have been identified in Central Ohio. These dioecious species, capable of producing 1,000,000 seeds per female plant have been added to the Ohio Noxious Weed list which necessitates control. Our objective was to create educational programs and materials to meet all clientele learning preferences. The age of our farming population varies from low 20’s to upper 70’s. Each age group exhibits different learning styles. As Educators, we must adopt our teaching methods to meet our clientele’s differing educational needs and desires. Multiple educational programs were conducted in a three county area in Central Ohio. Classes, workshops, field days, newsletters and media releases were used to reach our traditional learners. These activities were supplemented with social media posts, new blogs, email blasts and on-line videos to meet the needs of our more progressive learners. Live weed species at various growth stages were used to teach identification and control options. Pre and post meeting evaluations show that farmers ability to identify these plants improved by 127% due to knowledge gained from participating in these trainings. Behavior and management approaches have changed. Scouting frequency has increased and farmers are encouraging their neighbors to check suspicious weed populations. Neighbors in each community are assisting each other by walking fields and removing these devastating weeds. Educational videos were created to enhance clientele learning experiences. These videos were shared through many social media sites and are accessible via Quick Response (QR) codes embedded in all educational materials. Many of these videos have been shown in various educational meetings since 2017. Survey results indicate that 27.2% of the respondents reported learning best using video, 2.6% of the respondents reported learning best using fact sheets, and 70.2% of the respondents reported learning best when both forms were used in the programing. 86% of respondents reported that they are more likely to seek out OSU Extension as a resource after viewing the videos.