Extension Impact Statements Todd Hurt, Ph.D. Office of Learning and Organizational Development

How will you get there? You are also going to spend time learning more about the program development process – The Program Logic Model – which includes situational analysis, priority setting, program action and evaluation. The logic model is a systematic, visual way to present and share your understanding of the relationship among the resources you have to operate your program, the activities you plan, and the changes or results you how to achieve. (WK Kellogg Foundation) Or in simpler terms, to demonstrate the “if-then” relationship between parts of your program. If we have the right resources, then we will be able to provide the planned activities for our target groups. If we reach those individuals or groups, then they will benefit in certain ways (in the short term). If we can achieve those short-term benefits, then we can build towards those medium term benefits. If we achieve the medium term benefits, then we would expect to be able to see change in organizations, communities, or systems – social, economic, environmental, or civic. This is a tool that will help you build a strong program from the beginning.

Program Logic Model Impact Statement Situation Inputs Outputs Outcomes/Impact Situation Response Result/Impact

Impact statements

What is an impact statement? One page Situation Response Impact

Tips for Reporting Impact Know what you want to measure Build around issues, not events Include evaluation of your programs Show a measurable change Include anecdotes Estimate the potential impact SO WHAT? Answer the question, "So what?" Show a measurable change in: Economic value or efficiency Environmental quality Social well-being Health and well-being Estimate the potential impact Who are the most likely benefactors? When do you expect outcome and why? Relate anecdotes What works for one person may work for many Build in evaluation of your programs by using Pre- and post-tests Surveys Know what you want to measure: Is it a decrease in participants' blood cholesterol or an increase in crop yield? Build around issues, not events: 70% of participants met their savings goals, not 34 people attended the meeting. Don’t exaggerate your results, don’t claim undue credit and include the negatives to present a balanced report.

Common Errors No impact reported Reporting on activities or events Not reporting to the issue Impact of activity was very small Giving more credit to other organizations Using acronyms or program names Reporting too early Common Errors Made in Writing Accomplishment Statements Adapted from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture No impact reported – Only a description of activity given Every accomplishment statement should report the results of the program, not just why and how it was conducted. The “so what” of programming efforts. Impact of activity reported was very small Ex: the amount saved by program participants was $35.00 when four 4-Hers learned to sew shorts, or 15 Homemakers saved $6.00 per member by making a glass bottomed basket.) Dollars reported are not focused on the intended outcome of a program Ex: “The youth livestock program was directed by 10 leaders volunteering 20 hours each and at a value of $17.15 per hour, that totaled a value of $3430.00 to the community,” or “The youth livestock program reported an increase of $.25 per pound for the grand champion steer at the county fair livestock sale this year.” - The intended outcome should be focused on youth development and how they changed. Inadequate length of statement Too long – ¾ of a page is too long to get people to read - Too short – a three sentence statement is too short to tell the story Gave more credit to other organizations and agencies Listed them first in write up - Gave primary credit because they contributed a grant No mention of the county name - These impact statements need to be able to stand alone. (i.e., a member of congress wants to know that this happened in one of their counties.) Using acronyms or program names without explanation APES, BMPs, NRCS, IPM, EFNEP, IRM, SEEC, KOSA, Reality Store, LEAP for Health, etc. Neither should we use personal names of adults nor youth; these are public records. Trying to report impact too early or more impact than a single activity can produce Many individual activities will not generate evidence of impact beyond an increase in knowledge. Neither will programs generate measurable impact without follow up contact with participants. Look for creative and innovative programs that had a significant outcome with a segment of the population that is identifiable - Ex: Reality Store, Homemaker Bazaar or Annual Meeting, and the Annual Tobacco Meeting - How much money was given away by the Phase 1 Committee is not an indicator of impact.

Situation

Situation Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution Vegetables are a significant industry in Georgia, with a farm-gate value of over $1 billion in 2014. There are over two-dozen vegetable crops grown on a commercial scale. However, our production seasons on many crops overlap with nearby states, causing an oversupply, which can drive down prices and profitability. Therefore many vegetable growers are looking for alternative crops that they can plant on a portion of their acreage to supplement income, particularly when market forces drive down prices of their primary commodity. Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution

Situation Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution Vegetables are a significant industry in Georgia, with a farm-gate value of over $1 billion in 2014. There are over two-dozen vegetable crops grown on a commercial scale. However, our production seasons on many crops overlap with nearby states, causing an oversupply, which can drive down prices and profitability. Therefore many vegetable growers are looking for alternative crops that they can plant on a portion of their acreage to supplement income, particularly when market forces drive down prices of their primary commodity. Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution

Situation Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution Vegetables are a significant industry in Georgia, with a farm-gate value of over $1 billion in 2014. There are over two-dozen vegetable crops grown on a commercial scale. However, our production seasons on many crops overlap with nearby states, causing an oversupply, which can drive down prices and profitability. Therefore many vegetable growers are looking for alternative crops that they can plant on a portion of their acreage to supplement income, particularly when market forces drive down prices of their primary commodity. Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution

Situation Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution Vegetables are a significant industry in Georgia, with a farm-gate value of over $1 billion in 2014. There are over two-dozen vegetable crops grown on a commercial scale. However, our production seasons on many crops overlap with nearby states, causing an oversupply, which can drive down prices and profitability. Therefore many vegetable growers are looking for alternative crops that they can plant on a portion of their acreage to supplement income, particularly when market forces drive down prices of their primary commodity. Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution

Response

Methods/ Response How did you serve your clients? What did you DO? Workshops Educational presentations Curriculum developed Research findings New methodologies and models New practical knowledge for policy decision makers

Response What Who When How much From 2014-present Dr. Timothy Coolong has trialed at least two crops per year that are not significant commodities in Georgia in order to identify crops, varieties, planting windows, and other production practices that may allow growers to diversify their farming operations. In 2015, in collaboration with Justin Shealey (Echols County Extension Agent) a 1.5 acre demonstration trial was implemented outside of Statenville, GA with multiple planting dates and varieties of Brussels sprouts.  What Who When How much

Response What Who When How much From 2014-present Dr. Timothy Coolong has trialed at least two crops per year that are not significant commodities in Georgia in order to identify crops, varieties, planting windows, and other production practices that may allow growers to diversify their farming operations. In 2015, in collaboration with Justin Shealey (Echols County Extension Agent) a 1.5 acre demonstration trial was implemented outside of Statenville, GA with multiple planting dates and varieties of Brussels sprouts.  What Who When How much

Response What Who When How much From 2014-present Dr. Timothy Coolong has trialed at least two crops per year that are not significant commodities in Georgia in order to identify crops, varieties, planting windows, and other production practices that may allow growers to diversify their farming operations. In 2015, in collaboration with Justin Shealey (Echols County Extension Agent) a 1.5 acre demonstration trial was implemented outside of Statenville, GA with multiple planting dates and varieties of Brussels sprouts.  What Who When How much

Response What Who When How much From 2014-present Dr. Timothy Coolong has trialed at least two crops per year that are not significant commodities in Georgia in order to identify crops, varieties, planting windows, and other production practices that may allow growers to diversify their farming operations. In 2015, in collaboration with Justin Shealey (Echols County Extension Agent) a 1.5 acre demonstration trial was implemented outside of Statenville, GA with multiple planting dates and varieties of Brussels sprouts.  What Who When How much

Impact

Outcomes (Impact) How has the clientele/situation improved as a result of your program?

Medium term Long term Short term Impact …Brussels sprouts can be successfully grown in Georgia in the fall cropping season and make a significant profit for growers… growers who have now planted nearly 100 acres of the crop and purchased a packing line…returns to growers in Georgia could reach $7 - $8,000 per acre for each crop. If 200 more acres are planted in Georgia based on these research and demonstration projects the total value could exceed $1.4 million in impact.

Short term Impact …Brussels sprouts can be successfully grown in Georgia in the fall cropping season and make a significant profit for growers

Medium term Impact growers who have now planted nearly 100 acres of the crop

Long term Impact So what??? to growers in Georgia could reach $7 - $8,000 per acre for each crop. If 200 more acres are planted in Georgia based on these research and demonstration projects the total value could exceed $1.4 million in impact. purchased a packing line

Why Impact Statements Matter Illustrates our accountability. Improves visibility of programs (local, state, national) Generates support materials for lobbying Is a repository of anecdotes for speeches or letters Helps build greater understanding of the Extension programs

Impact Resources Online Course Impact Statement Submission Site http://apps.caes.uga.edu/impactstatements/ “Frequently Asked Questions” “How Are Impact Statements Used?” National Impact Database https://landgrantimpacts.tamu.edu Online Course http://campus.extension.org/course/view.php?id=1208

Time for Questions or Other Examples?