Communicating To All Audiences

Published: 2020
By Jaycee Searer

It has been 10 years and counting since Dawson County MSU Extension partnered with Glendive Broadcasting. Weekly, three-minute radio spots are delivered to listeners across Dawson County. Various topics that range from livestock health and nutrition to crop pests and management, and to food preservation, are broadcast to radio audiences. These radio shows allow the MSU Extension agent to connect with local community members and provide facts and answer questions. The MSU Extension agent also partners with other agriculture-related committees, organizational boards, and community members to promote upcoming events, local news, and more to the listening community. Glendive Broadcasting has continued to be a proud supporter of MSU Extension and the 4-H program in Dawson County. Dawson County 4-H was selected as the August Community Highlight program and was showcased the entire month of August. Video clips, pictures, and radio spots were just a few ways they promoted Dawson County 4-H. Glendive Broadcasting also attended the 4-H Fair and broadcast live from the fairgrounds. Youth members, 4-H leaders, and community members were able to speak live on the radio. They also live-broadcasted our 4-H Youth Livestock Sale. MSU Extension is grateful for Glendive Broadcasting and their continued support. MSU Extension in Dawson County has also utilized social media applications to promote Extension services and the 4-H youth program. Since technology has moved to the forefront this year, we have found ways to connect with young producers, potential 4-H members, and community members directly. By utilizing the marketing tools social media provides, we have been able to increase our audience and communication through applications such as Facebook. We have also created a “MontGuide Wall” at our office and have updated our MSU publications from agents and specialists. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, we offered members in our community many to chances to hear from Extension specialists and educational speakers in person to allow them networking and educational opportunities, and we have offered those opportunities virtually in the latter half of the year.