Conferences
Effectiveness and Impact of Nevada Herds & Harvest: Nevada Beginning Farmer and Rancher Project
Staci Emm, Carol Bishop, Holly Gatzke, and Loretta Singletary
Summary
Currently, 600 BFRs participate in the Nevada Herds & Harvest program, also known as the Nevada Beginning Farmer and Rancher Project, and have attended over 128 training sessions between August 1, 2011 and May 30, 2014. The project funding was recently renewed for an additional three years. The past Herds & Harvest evaluation design employs a multi-method and multi-year approach, consisting of questionnaires, interviews, retrospective, and postal mail surveys. The logic model provides the guiding principle behind this design for measuring short, medium, and long-term outcomes. Data obtained from assessments are analyzed using statistical analysis software for quantitative data and description and thematic (interrelation development) analysis for qualitative data. A summative BFR program evaluation was implemented in May 2014 with several lessons being learned in evaluation design. Overall, 75% of BFR program participants reported that the program information and assistance benefited their operation, and 89% stated the program was a reliable source of information. Fifty-seven percent reported that the program had helped to increase profits and 83% reported that the information is usually relevant to their interests. Lessons learned will be discussed as well as planning strategies for evaluation design for the next three years.
Details
| Conference | 2015 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference |
| Presentation Type | 30-Minute Concurrent |