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The information presented on this page was originally released on August 5, 2004. It may not be outdated, but please search our site for more current information. If you plan to quote or reference this information in a publication, please check with the Extension specialist or author before proceeding.
MSU Extension offers radio programs online
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A unique Web site is giving radio stations and the general public audio reports from Mississippi State University and several other land-grant universities.
RadioSource.net is a portal site that enables users to access and search the combined programming of the 19 participating universities. Information is available on a variety of topics, including gardening, agribusiness, environmental news, health and nutrition, and rural life.
"RadioSource.net is a unique project and a great example of how everyone gains when agricultural communicators take the lead in sharing educational resources," said Tom Knecht, head of MSU's Office of Agricultural Communications. "Pooling the radio offerings of many land-grant universities through the RadioSource.net Web site gives the public access to a much wider range of information resources than would otherwise be possible."
The MSU Extension Service joined the universities of Georgia, Kentucky and Florida, and Texas A&M as the founding member institutions.
Tyson Gair, MSU Ag Communications broadcast editor, said the site offers audio programming that can be downloaded for rebroadcast or streamed for consumer use.
"The programs and segments are available in several audio formats, including MP3, WAV and Real Audio," Gair said. "The content is organized within a specialized database so users can find information easily. Programming is searchable by topic, keyword, date or state, and available for download free of charge."
Gair said he posts the Extension Service's daily Better Farming and Southern Gardening radio programs to the RadioSource.net database each week.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently presented the RadioSource.net project team with a USDA Honor Award for outstanding leadership in establishing the English/Spanish audio service. The project is partially funded by a grant from the USDA's Agricultural Telecommunications Program.
"The MSU Extension Service can be proud of its role as one of the five lead institutions that founded RadioSource.net and contributed to its early success," Knecht said. "Our hope is that the public will benefit from the information provided at RadioSource.net, whether they visit the site or hear the programs rebroadcast on various radio stations."
