Using webcasts to highlight air quality research

Eleven web-based seminars addressing air quality topics in animal agriculture have been broadcast to a national audience over the past two years as part of an ongoing USDA NIFA-funded effort referred to as the Air Quality Education for Animal Agriculture (AQEAA) project. AQEAA's goal is that many people will use the science-based resources developed in the project to make well-informed decisions about air quality matters, especially when considering and implementing new practices or policies. The purpose of the webinars is to expose livestock industry stakeholders and air quality policymakers to research expertise in air quality topics of concern. On average, about 100 'attendees' participate in the live broadcasts, with 3-5 times this number accessing the archived webcasts. Webcast attendees are generally 'multipliers' who interact with and influence a number of producers. Feedback from attendees indicates that the webinars suit the target audience's desire for useful information that is readily accessible and fairly easy to understand.