After seeing its master gardener program succeed, the Jefferson County University Extension Service is now looking to spread some digital knowledge around the area.
The office is seeking recruit digital ambassadors, who, once they’re trained, will help others with today’s technology.
“A lot of folks are familiar with our master gardener program,” said Mistti Ritter, MU Extension and engagement specialist and field specialist. “How that works is we give them training on gardening techniques and then they go out to their communities and share their knowledge. Digital ambassadors will work in much the same way.”
Like master gardeners, Ritter said, digital ambassadors will spread their expertise.
“We’re looking for people who are in communities, such as a congregation or a club,” she said. “They can help others in that community improve their broadband access and then enhance their use of that access, either by using a phone app, or connecting with telehealth services, or setting up a health portal on the internet.
“It could even be imparting some knowledge to family members at a holiday dinner,” Ritter said.
She said the digital ambassador program is a new University of Missouri Extension Service initiative.
“We’re proud to be one of only two counties in the state to be chosen to pilot this program,” Ritter said.
Newton County, which includes Neosho in southwest Missouri, is the other, she added.
“We’re excited to be at the front of what’s expected to be a statewide rollout eventually,” Ritter said.
She said Jefferson County was chosen because both local leaders and Extension Service patrons have said on surveys and at town hall meetings that they want to see broadband access expanded.
The training is free.
Anyone interested in becoming a digital ambassador will be asked to attend a meeting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Extension Service office at 301 Third St. in Hillsboro. Training will continue with three online Zoom meetings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Nov. 16, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, followed by a final in-person class from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 13.
Faculty members from the University of Missouri Extension Service main office in Columbia will teach the classes, Ritter said.
She said anyone with an interest in things digital would make a good ambassador.
“I’ve seen the curriculum, and it’s geared to people of any level of digital literacy,” she said. “Even those just getting started can help spread the expertise they learn to others, which is the focus of this program. This is for anyone of any age who wants to help others in their community.”
To sign up, contact Ritter at 636-797-5391 or rittermm@missouri.edu.org or go to muext.us/digitalambassador.