University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s (CTAHR) extension agents are stepping behind microphones and using podcasts to educate their communities.
Livestock Walaʻau
The podcast was launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person events were halted, and extension agents like Associate Extension Agent Melelani Oshiro noticed a fatigue developing with traditional online formats.
“We did some webinars, and started to realize that, you know, you get fatigued with too many Zooms and webinars,” Oshiro said. “Podcasts are a convenient way to continue our programs and deliver information focused on the needs of Â鶹´«Ã½’s livestock community.”
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The Orchid Pod
For horticulturalists and plant enthusiasts, has offered deep-dive conversations on one of the state¡¯s most popular flowers for more than three years. Co-host and Associate Extension Agent James Keach noted the show¡¯s mission is to bridge a gap in public curiosity and knowledge about the plant¡¯s remarkable history.
“Somene in Hilo I had never spoken to before came up to me and said he was really enjoying listening to the pod as he re-pots his orchids,” said Keach.
Co-hosted by local entrepreneur Rafaell Rozendo and American Orchid Society judge Caleb Houck, the podcast has built an organically grown audience every month by sharing in-depth growing knowledge and history. It reaches thousands of listeners across Â鶹´«Ã½, the continental U.S. and more than 50 counties around the world.
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