Project/Program Description (100 words or less) For over 100 years, the cooperative Extension service has been dispersing knowledge accumulated at land grant universities with the rest of the state. They have helped many generations modernize daily practices from farming and gardening to cooking and healthy habits. Today there is a role for Extensions to play in helping everyone in the community make full use of the current digital age. Drawing on program experience, this presentation will explore Extension’s relationship with technology. From helping communities embrace technology to integrating technology into programming, there is much to be learned from Extension so far. An explanation of how your program/project relates to the theme Innovative Pathways. You may also include an explanation of how your program/project relates to the conference track(s) selected. 250 words or less. Technology is both a challenge facing communities and a tool we can use to help. The digital divide has economic and social impacts, as technology is required for everything: applying for jobs, banking, healthcare, education and more. At the same time, technology offers solutions to many issues facing communities: Telehealth increases healthcare access, online banking assists with staying on budget, and eLearning provides more options for education. With technology being in this unique position to hurt as much as it helps, it is essential for it to be included in community development practices. This presentation will explore both sides of this coin, and how Extension has employed programming to address the digital divide and taken advantage of technology. Through digital inclusion efforts, technology is a powerful tool for social justice and gaining economic autonomy. We will share best practices and lessons learned
