Highlights of the air quality education in animal agriculture project

Through the Air Quality Education in Animal Agriculture (AQEAA) project, Land-Grant University specialists from across the U.S. have been collaborating in delivering applied, research-based air quality information to those who work with livestock and poultry producers. The AQEAA project developed Air Quality content on the Animal Manure Management extension website in collaboration with the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center (LPELC). The Air Quality web content makes widely accessible the educational resources produced by this project for use in developing the knowledge base and skills of professionals who interact [and pre-professionals who plan to interact] with livestock and poultry producers. The online materials include 18 written publications, 3 videos, and 16 recorded webinars (webcasts). Also made accessible are selected research and technology summaries as well as online content produced by other organizations. The AQEAA project also developed the skills of professionals regarding air quality topics via professional development events. Website usage information, participant polls, and stakeholder surveys provided evidence that the resources developed by this project are being utilized and that delivery of the information via extension has been an effective means of communicating information on this topic. Webcasts were especially effective in communicating information and providing continuing professional development. AQEAA-sponsored workshops were effective in providing in-depth air quality information and experiences to more than 300 professionals. Collaboration with the LPELC facilitated having a ready extension outlet for project materials and is providing continued, sustainable access to online information from this project.