Virtual Conferencing in Extension: Reaching Audiences, Saving Resources and Impacting the Environment Hurt, T.* 1 , Abreu, M.E. 2 , Martinez-Espinosa, A. 3 , Mickler, K. 4 1 Training Coordinator, Center for Urban Agriculture, University of Georgia, 1109 Experiment St. Griffin, GA 30223, 2 Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Gwinnett Co. Lawrenceville, GA 30045, 3 Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, 1109 Experiment St. Griffin, GA 30223, 4 Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Floyd Co., Rome, GA 30161 Abstract T he mission of UGA Extension is to deliver research based information to all the counties and the citizens of Georgia in a timely fashion. Automobile travel costs, employees productive professional time, budget debits and unnecessary carbon emissions has prompted us to develop creative ways to deliver information. Horizon Wimba (web classroom) allows interaction between presenters and audiences through real-time presentations, multiple location access, slide viewing, live conversation, and voice and written messaging board. We have taken advantage of this technology to implement multi-location, real-time educational programs to deliver science-based information to statewide audiences in the State of Georgia. 349 people participated the 4 workshops lunch and learn series in 18 counties representing all four Extension Districts in Georgia. Using a conservative estimate of only one vehicle travel from each location roundtrip to training venue for each of the four workshops yields the following approximate savings: $6000 in mileage reimbursement, 200 hours of UGA Employee time, and 3,400 less pounds of carbon emitted to the environment (US DOE 5.5 lbs. of carbon produced per gallon of gas burned). Participating Agents Situation: The State of Georgia has a territory of 153,951 km² and a population of 9,072,576 . There are 157 counties in the State of Georgia yet over half of the state’s population is concentrated in the Metro-Atlanta area. Travel through Atlanta due to congestion and travel from outlying counties to UGA are both impediments to program delivery. Internet bandwidth to the County Offices has improved in the recent years. The Center for Urban Agriculture Turf/Landscape Issue Team chose to pilot an internet delivered horticultural lunch and learn series to take advantage of both the subject matter experts and the power of the county delivery system. Materials & Methods Educational Programs Four (1) hour horticultural workshops utilizing Horizon Wimba software on UGA Servers broadcast to selected counties around Georgia (45 minutes of presentation and 15 minutes of interactive questions and multi-location interfacing) Presenter Requirements Power Point Presentation, University hosting server,. User Accounts for each offsite location. Presenter controlled delivery of the presentation and provided live narration using a computer headset. County Requirements Laptop, speakers,projector, broadband internet and a headset.. Results and Discussion Participation 349 people total for 4 workshops in 18 counties. 212 written evaluations were returned 197 respondents (93%) indicated they would attend future sessions using this format. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest the average response on: Personal value of the interactive session was 4.1 . Participants expressed that the training venue was acceptable 4.6 Enjoyed the presentation 4.3 Will attend another virtual seminar using Horizon Wimba 4.5 Benefits to the economy Using a very conservative reduction estimate of only one vehicle travel from each location roundtrip to Griffin GA for each of the four workshops yields the following approximate savings for the University: $6000.00 in mileage reimbursement 200 hours of UGA Employee time Additional Cost to the University = $0.00 Benefits to the environment 12,344 miles less traveled 617 gallons less gas consumed (20 miles per gallon) 3,400 less pounds of carbon released to the atmosphere (this is the amount of carbon in 12,000 lbs of CO 2 emitted) University of Georgia College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences Center for Urban Agriculture Branded Flyer Workshop Locations Presenter’s View Northeast Walton William Carlan Northwest Walker Norman Edwards Northeast Pickens Rick Jasperse Northwest Muscogee Jennifer Davidson Southwest Houston Willie Chance Northwest Harris Steve Morgan Northwest Gwinnett Maria Eugenia Abreu Northwest Fulton James Reaves & Louise Estabrook Northwest Floyd Keith Mickler Northwest Fayette Sonja Brannon Southwest Dougherty James Morgan Northwest Cobb Carolyn Gentry Northeast Clarke Amanda Tedrow Northwest Clayton Winston Eason Northwest Cherokee Paul Pugliese Southeast Chatham David Linvill Northwest Catoosa Charles Lancaster Northwest Bibb Karol Kelly District County Extension Agent

Results and Discussion

Participation

349 people total for 4 workshops in 18 counties.

212 written evaluations were returned

197 respondents (93%) indicated they would attend future sessions using this format. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest the average response on:

Personal value of the interactive session was 4.1 .

Participants expressed that the training venue was acceptable 4.6

Enjoyed the presentation 4.3

Will attend another virtual seminar using Horizon Wimba 4.5

Benefits to the economy

Using a very conservative reduction estimate of only one vehicle travel from each location roundtrip to Griffin GA for each of the four workshops yields the following approximate savings for the University:

$6000.00 in mileage reimbursement

200 hours of UGA Employee time

Additional Cost to the University = $0.00

Benefits to the environment

12,344 miles less traveled

617 gallons less gas consumed (20 miles per gallon)

3,400 less pounds of carbon released to the atmosphere (this is the amount of carbon in 12,000 lbs of CO 2 emitted)