"The goal of extension is to bring research-based knowledge to the community to help improve their lives," said Dr. Shelly Laguaña, an extension agent overseeing health and wellness programs within UOG Extension's Family & Consumer Sciences unit. "TEXTension is a new channel to get tips, advice, and reminders to people in the quickest, simplest way possible."

The free WhatsApp-based service will deliver two texts per month to the TEXTension community members. The service operates as a WhatsApp "community" instead of a "group," meaning messages will only be shared and posted by TEXTension, and members will not have the ability to reply or post comments. 

The content will include timely and locally relevant tips related to: 

• health
• nutrition
• physical activity
• gardening and other wellness activities
• and more

"We have lots of useful content planned for this year from the various extension programs, and we hope the texting format will fit seamlessly into people's lives," Laguaña said.

Anyone who has WhatsApp downloaded on their phone can sign up, and members can opt out at any time. 

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