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

2. 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.

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

4. Impact statements

5. What is an impact statement?
One page
Situation
Response
Impact

6. 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.

7. 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 $ 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.

8. Situation

9. Situation Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution
Vegetables are a significant industry in Georgia, with a farm-gate value of over $1 billion in 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

10. Situation Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution
Vegetables are a significant industry in Georgia, with a farm-gate value of over $1 billion in 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

11. Situation Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution
Vegetables are a significant industry in Georgia, with a farm-gate value of over $1 billion in 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

12. Situation Target audience Problem Localized Possible solution
Vegetables are a significant industry in Georgia, with a farm-gate value of over $1 billion in 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

13. Response

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Impact

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

21. 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.

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

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

24. 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

25. 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

27. Impact Resources Online Course
Impact Statement Submission Site
“Frequently Asked Questions”
“How Are Impact Statements Used?”
National Impact Database
Online Course

28. Time for Questions or Other Examples?