LIVING ON THE LAND PUBLICATIONS AND PODCASTS
Proposed by: Brian Tuck
Presenters: Tuck, B. , Extension Regional Administrator and MCAREC Director, Oregon State University, The Dalles, OR 97058
Susan Kerr, WSU Extension Educator, Washington State University, Goldendale, WA 98620
Washington and Oregon State University (OSU) Extension personnel and soil and water conservationists in the Mid-Columbia area of Oregon and Washington teamed to create a series of educational resources for new and small acreage landowners. The goal was to create high quality, concise and appealing resource materials with application to a variety of new and small agricultural enterprises. The publications in the “Living on the Land” series are limited to two pages in length, use short and simple sentences, are easy to read, and include tables and colorful, high-quality photos. The first publication was developed in 2010 and entitled “Pasture and Livestock Essentials” EC1634, followed by “Winter Livestock Care” EC1635-E, and “Managing Manure” EC1637-E. “Attracting Birds of Prey for Rodent Control” is in production. Members of the OSU Extension and Experiment Station Communications Department approached the authors about turning these publications into podcasts for increased accessibility by the target audience. Consequently, each publication has been divided into three podcast sessions. The podcasts are attractive and user friendly, with background sounds that enhance each podcast. Since their publication, podcasts in the series have been downloaded over 8425 times and the pdfs have been downloaded 605 times. Publications in the series have won a variety of NACAA Communication Awards, including the 2010 National Award in the Fact Sheet category. “Living on the Land” series resources can be accessed at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/details.php?search=living+on+the+land.