Agricultural Education, Communications, and 4-H Youth Development

Determining the Impact of Adult Leadership Programs on Rural Community Development: A Case Study of the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program

The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program on rural community development. Participants in the study were graduates from Classes I through X for a total of 290 participants. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. Each participant was asked to complete a 70-item post survey. The survey instrument addressed the areas of knowledge of rural community development, if participants were acting as change agents, knowledge of community needs, role of improving community, and socioeconomic status impact on rural development. Paired samples t-test, factor analysis, and Chi-Squared tests were used to describe the responses to the participants. Extreme case sampling was used to identify eight participants for face-to-face interviews.

In spite of quantitative findings of improvement in change in behavior, qualitative findings did not reveal significant changes in behavior after participating in the program. It was evident through extreme case sampling that OALP participants have not made a significant impact on rural community development. The OALP was found to be an awareness program. The OALP was marginally successful in integrating the rural community development process into the program. It was concluded that participants were not acting as change agents, and the OALP was slightly developing leaders to meet community needs. The participants were taking a minimal role improving their communities, and socioeconomic status did affect the participants’ impact on rural community development.

PI: Kathleen D. Kelsey, Leah J. Wall

Cooperators: Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program

Develop Products and Examine the Economic Outlook and Marketing Channels for Regionally Produced Value-Added Fruit and Vegetable Products: A Formative and Summative Evaluation of the IFAFS Initiative

This project is aimed at facilitating small farm access to additional market avenues in value-added products based on regionally produced fruit and vegetable crops. These products offer an additional way for producers to assume more marketing functions and provide an alternative outlet for surplus production during peak seasons. Many value-added products can be produced feasibly within a small scale processing arrangement by farmers, entrepreneurs in partnership with local farmers, or by farmer cooperatives. The project combines the resources, strengths and technical expertise of 5 land-grant institutions and 3 multidisciplinary value-added processing centers.

A formal research evaluation strategy is an interwoven component of this USDA funded project. The evaluation will provide meaningful data to guide the work of the project team, assess the impact of the programs on the clientele, and provide accountability information to the sponsoring agency. The broad constructs to be examined by the evaluation team are satisfaction of the small farm or processor client, efficiency, timeliness, and the overall impact of technology transfer. The team will use Deming’s Total Quality Management paradigm to assess client satisfaction with consortia staff members’ commitment to solving production and marketing problems as well as Rogers’ diffusion of innovations theory to assess the success of technology transfer processes. The project began October 2001 and will continue until September 2004. Evaluation activities will begin fall 2002.

PI: Kathleen D. Kelsey

Cooperators: Food and Agricultural Products Center (FAPC) at Oklahoma State University, the Institute for Food Science and Engineering (IFSE) at the University of Arkansas and the Food and Fiber Center (FCC) at Mississippi State University.

Evaluating a Systems Approach to Provide Ornamental Integrated Pest Management Training Using Conventional & Electronic Delivery Methods

The project is a result of a United State Department of Agriculture-CSREES grant award. The formative and summative evaluation will examine the effectiveness of teaching change agents to integrate environmentally sensitive horticultural practices into their professional practices. Eight workshops will be delivered and evaluated in 2002-2003.

PI: Kathleen D. Kelsey, Mike Schnelle, and Pat Bolin

Cooperators: Horticultural Department