By Caroline Roper
One year later, the PIE Center webinar series continues to make learning about important agricultural and natural resources issues as Easy as PIE.
The Easy as PIE webinars celebrated its first birthday in style, hosting its highest-attended webinar in early December that focused on public perceptions of genetically modified organisms, food safety and food security. PIE Center researcher Joy Rumble and Associate Professor Kevin Folta hosted the webinar, which more than 50 people attended. Rumble is an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, while Folta is the interim chair of the Horticultural Sciences Department.
Over the past year, Easy as PIE has covered a wide variety of issues, including water quality and quantity, local food, branding, and media relations. Outreach and Training Coordinator Nicole Dodds created the series to give people across the country access to the PIE Center and the chance to learn about important issues.
“We wanted to offer a monthly outreach product that would feature expert, live speakers on pertinent topics in a format that was convenient and available at no cost to our stakeholders,” she said.
By relying on experts to share their scientific knowledge, Easy as PIE webinars address topics many perceive to be contentious, such as December’s focus on genetically modified organisms, according to two-time webinar host Joy Rumble, a PIE Center researcher and assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.
“It was a controversial topic and I enjoyed listening to Dr. Folta address participants’ concerns,” Rumble said. “It showed that while our practices and the industry have critics, we can handle them in a professional and appropriate manner. Those conversations are important to have.”
Since the webinar series began, 330 people have participated in Easy as PIE from 25 states and Washington, D.C., according to an internal PIE Center assessment. Additionally, the online meetings have saved attendees and their employers nearly $49,000 in fuel and salary costs.
“Easy as PIE is a great opportunity for people to learn and interact, all without leaving their office,” said Media Specialist Laura Bernheim, who hosted December’s webinar. “It makes research and information much more accessible and useable.”
After a live webinar, the recording is posted online for future viewing. The 12 webinars have been watched online more than 1,150 times.
As the Easy as PIE series continues to grow, the PIE Center has already begun planning future topics such as climate change, grant writing and public opinion’s impact on legislation, which will be held in January.
“In 2014 we have a whole new slate of exciting topics, many of which go beyond a specific agricultural or natural resources issue,” Bernheim said.
The PIE Center hopes to further expand the reach of webinars in the upcoming year with a new slate of topics and a plan to host additional “hot-topic” webinars as newsworthy issues arise.
“We’d like to host a few hot-topic webinars on critical issues that arise around agriculture and natural resource issues,” Dodds said. “These webinars may be shorter and will be organized quickly as pressing issues arise.”
