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One Size Does NOT Fit All: Engaging Diverse Stakeholders through Varied Impact Communication Methods

Leadership and Administrative Skills

Blake Carter
County Extension Agent
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service
Springfield

Abstract

Cooperative Extension has a long history of creating significant and meaningful impact through research, educational programs, and other outreach efforts. Extension agents are uniquely positioned to engage a diverse audience when reporting the impact of these efforts. Developing local, regional, and state engagement is critical for a number of reasons including Extension funding and resource development, identification of unmet needs and critical issues, and the development of collaborative opportunities. Extension stakeholders might include fellow agents or state staff, community pillars like commissioners and local producers, and external partners like federal agencies or commodity groups. Given the diversity of the Extension audience, it is critical to avoid a “one size fits all” approach to impact reporting. Participants in this session will: (1) Identify key stakeholders who can be engaged through impact reporting; (2) Learn different types of impact data that can be collected; (3) Discuss benefits and pitfalls of formal and informal methods of impact reporting; and (4) Evaluate which methods of reporting might be valuable to which stakeholders.

Authors: Robyn Stewart , Blake Carter
  1. Robyn Stewart Lincoln County ANR Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Georgia, 30817
  2. Blake Carter Effingham County ANR Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Georgia, 31329