Extension evolves with pandemic

By TOM LAVENTURE

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Bessemer — One silver lining from the pandemic might be improved access to Michigan State University Extension programming, according to the district director who addressed the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners at a recent meeting.

Paul Putnam, MSU district director of virtual programs and online resources, responded to concerns that outside of preschool through high school programming the adult participation in agriculture, business, health, nutrition and environment programming has been lower than board members said they would like to have seen. Putnam said some of that is the inability to hold in-person classes and the old-model sign-in sheet is being replaced with online registration for more accurate participation records — but not denying anyone access who has not pre-registered, he said.

Extension has done what it was required to do to follow the pandemic guidance and operate safely, Putnam said. At this time there are some programs opening up while others are maintaining a hybrid function of both in-person and virtual learning.

“I think we’re all looking forward to, you know, reopening and getting back to whatever the new normal is,” he said. “The pandemic has hit everybody in different ways in different places throughout the state.”

What may be working here in Gogebic County, might not necessarily be the same answer for another area of the state at this time, he said. The staff of the western Upper Peninsula Extension program are comfortable that protocols have kept both employees and participants safer.

“Especially the youth and the elderly,” Putnam said. 

Extension currently provides three educators in Gogebic County who oversee approximately 50 education opportunities, he said. The programming reached 152 youth in 4-H, early childhood or after school enrichment programming. 

The changes from the governor’s office since June will soon be reflected into Extension programming for the summer, he said. The transition to the new normal will be gradual with more information in the days and weeks ahead.

“It’s not like flipping a switch necessarily,” he said. “It’s kind of like the dimmer switch that you may have in your house to where the lights gradually go back on versus all of a sudden.”

Extension is looking forward to being able to support the county fairs and the 4-H youth in moving from virtual to outdoor programming and some face-to-face indoor programming with social distancing, he said. Some elderly Extension participants express they are not yet comfortable with public gatherings even after receiving COVID-19 vaccinations, he said.

“So a lot of this is based on their comfort level,” Putnam said. 

Extension staff are anxious to get back to a new normal but a lot of that comes from the state level, he said.  University employees are also state employees and that adds a couple of extra layers to returning to normal, he said.

“Which is fine,” Putnam said. “It’s just sometimes difficult to communicate what that navigation looks like to the public and to the people that we serve.”

Extension staff are committed and have been very successful with applying online programming and access over the past year, he said. In-person programming is returning but the technology from the pandemic made it clear that some virtual aspects of programming need to continue where distance or other factors prevent in-person attendance. 

There are certain groups and programs that have adapted well to the online access that may continue to move forward with a virtual option. This is important for people who live in remote areas or for other reasons do not find it easy or possible to be physically present.

The traditional model was to schedule a program at a date, time and place in an area community, he said. People had to show up.

“Now, they have the opportunity to pull that up on their screen from the comfort of their own home,” Putnam said. 

The feedback from elderly people especially has been that online programming alleviates concerns for mobility, health or traveling in inclement weather, he said. Someone who isn’t feeling well enough to go out can still log-on and participate from the comfort of their home, he said.

“As long as they have an internet connection to where they can literally be sitting around in their jammies or doing Tai Chi in the comfort of their home, versus necessarily having to drive to a location to participate,” Putnam said. 

Extension basically reacted to the pandemic shutdown in setting up virtual programming for access in an emergency situation, he said. Moving forward a more deliberate effort will start to optimize a blend of statewide and localized in-person and virtual programming.

“I think we have the ability to adapt and expand to where there are more people that express interest for online,” he said. “We don’t have all the answers right now. But we’re moving forward in this process and trying to come up with ways that will continue to support our citizens who want to participate in learning more and enhancing their quality of life within our educational system.”

Even with low numbers the feedback from participants shows the importance of providing the programming, he said. There are comments from ex-military and elderly who say the Tai Chi programming is essential to their physical and emotional health. Others talked about the importance of providing health prevention such as pain management, disease prevention, fall prevention and other courses that can be attended in person or online. Other senior projects include coupons for the farmers markets or other benefits to participating and learning. 

For more information call 906-663-4045 or visit canr.msu.edu/gogebic.