Impacts and Their
Values in Extension
Accountability
Florida
County Extension Directors
In-service Training,
Gainesville, Florida
November 8, 2007
Workshop by:
Dr. John G Richardson
Department Extension Leader and
Agricultural Programs Accountability Manager
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Agricultural and Extension Education
Box 7607 N.C. State University, Raleigh, NC 27695 USA
Email : john_richardson@ncsu.edu
Phone : (919) 515-6080
Fax: (919) 515-1965
Content
•
Accountability Introduction
•
Florida Commissioners
•
An Urgent County Budget Process
•
Communicating Value Testimonial
•
Numbers Count
•
Impacts and Program Measures
•
Success Stories
•
Costs and Values
•
Determining Program Value
•
Success Stories with Values
•
Key Valuing Tips
•
Communicating Program Value
•
Valuing Workshop (participant discussions)
•
Success Story Review Nomenclature
•
Lies and Statistics
Introduction

Policy makers want to see viable,
tangible program results.

Quantifiable results stay in the
public’s mind, but descriptions or
qualifications DO NOT.

We need:
 Identifiable program impacts, and….

To place economic values on them!
Florida
County
Commissioners
Questions
Why fund 4H when we
have boys clubs and girls
clubs.......... and school
programs..... and city
programs...
Why fund FCS when we
have the Health
Department and Social
Services and Elder care
programs and ,,,,,, and
..........
(Vergot)
Urgent – A NC County
Budget Process for FY
05

What are consequences of eliminating
this service?

Should we (the county) be in this
business?

How do you plan to enhance the
efficiency of this service?
[limit to no more than 2 pages placed in bullet form-to be
completed in one week]
Determining Program
Economic Benefit Values
Numbers Count!
“Whenever some quantification is done—
no matter how speculative or limited—the
number tends to get into the public
domain and the qualifications tend to get
forgotten…The number is the thing.”
(U.S. Congress Report by the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigation,
1980, 7, 10)
Accountability
and Success
Success Stories
Are an Excellent
Means for Communicating
Impacts
-------
They Should Always Convey
Impacts, and
When Possible, Values
Communicating Program Value
Success Story:
Location: Hoke
[Reduced costs]
According to the Department of Juvenile Justice,
Hoke County is a "target county" because a large
number of youth are sent to training school.
Between January and May 2004, it has cost the
county $25,272 to detain youth. To address the
character and decision making skills of youth,
Cooperative Extension offers a prevention program
called 4H Life Skills. Cooperative Extension
collaborates with Hoke County Schools to offer the
program to elementary and middle school
students. The program has reached 158 students
this year and none of the students who have
graduated from the program have been referred to
juvenile justice. For each child not referred to
juvenile justice, the county saves $72.00 a day and
$26,280 a year.
Communicating Program Value
Testimonial
Idaho State Legislator, Tom Trail (2004) stated that
… “last year, Cooperative Extension in Idaho was
facing a budget cut of at least 2%. In my position
as a State Representative in the Idaho Legislature
where I serve as Vice Chairman of the Agricultural
Committee, we requested any information that
Extension may have available to verify and support
the public expenditures from the state of Idaho for
Extension programs.
We were able to obtain
information, very much like the success story
presented in this paper, which specified very
specific and concise benefits to society and in tax
payer savings as a result of 4-H programs. In this
Idaho case it was very clear that the lower rate of
juvenile offenses and drug related problems was a
savings to society. We did get an added $200,000
budget addition for the extension and 4-H
programs partially as a result of the information
shared with the House and Senate Ag Committee
as well as the Joint Appropriation and Finance
Committee. This budget increase was approved,
even though it was in a very tight budget year.”
First, We Must Recognize Impacts
Impact = Learning +
Behavior Change + Results

Impact may be expressed as a
change in economic value or
efficiency, environmental
quality, societal or individual
well-being.
Program Measures
Level 7
– End Results
Level 6
– Practice Change
Level 5
– KASA (Knowledge,
Attitude, Skill, Aspiration)
Level 4
– Reactions
Level 3
– People Involvement
Level 2
– Activities
Level 1
– Inputs
examples of
Four Program Thrusts
(to meet local needs)
Examples

4-H youth development

Beef cattle management

Family financial management

Home gardening
Inputs
Inputs – time, funds, staff invested
Examples

One hundred staff hours are
committed.

A bus is secured for a tour

Office, copier, paper, computer are
available.

A budget of $2,500 is allocated.
Activities
Activities – events, activities, programs,
sessions offered
Examples

4-H Summer Camp is held July 10-15.

A six-week beef production course is
offered.

A home-study course on financial
management is presented.

A subscription-based newsletter is
offered to interested home gardeners.
People Involvement
People Involvement – number of
participants involved
Examples

200 youth participate in 4-H Summer
Camp.

Thirty-two cattle producers attend the
beef production management course.

Two hundred food stamp recipients are
enrolled in the financial management
home study course

400 people subscribe to home gardener
newsletter
Reactions
Reactions – what participants thought
of the program, its organization, its
leader etc.
Examples

Ninety percent of camp attendees indicate
that they will recommend it to others.

Ninety-five percent of course attendees rate
the information gained Very Good or
Excellent.

Eighty percent of recipients indicate the ease
of use of the study materials.

All subscribers indicate satisfaction with the
newsletter content and regularity.
KASA
KASA (Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills,
Aspirations)
Change
Examples

Ninety percent of camp participants gain
new understanding of applied leadership and
community involvement principles.

Eighty percent of beef producers gain
greater appreciation of the value of assuring
the availability of mineral supplements to
pasture cattle.

Half of the study participants indicate
gaining new money saving skills.

Eighty percent of subscribers indicate a
desire to enhance their approach to afterharvest pest management practices.
Practice Change
Practice Change – improved methods of
action adopted
Examples

Seventy camp participants demonstrate new
proactive involvement in school and
community enhancement projects.

Fifteen beef producers begin to employ
advanced nutrition management programs.

Eighty program participants begin to follow
economical food selection practices, and cost
comparisons for their interest charges.

Forty percent of subscribers indicate
adoption of new BMPs for fallowing their
gardens.
End Results
End Results – broader outcomes,
effects, and benefits resulting from
changes in practices
Examples
 Youth community projects produce
$250,000 savings to tax payers.
 Eleven Beef producers increase net income
by $6,000 per farm.
 80 home study participants reduce their
consumer credit interest payments by an
average of $200.
 50 subscribers adopt spreading of
composted materials that reduce soil
erosion, protect water quality and reduce
solid waste disposal costs for the County of
over $3,000.
BRIEF REPORTS
WANTED
“We want brief, concise reports of
accomplishments that cover the
main points of : Who’s involved;
Problem; What you did;
Difference it made; any
collaborators; Contact person;
and on one page”!
(Congressional Aide for former Congresswoman Eva Clayton)
Success story structure
Problem, Program, People,
Partners, Impact, and Conclusion
PPPPIC
Heart Healthy Program
Successful
Heart disease is the number 1 killer in Robeson County
[Problem]. Cooperative Extension in cooperation with local
hospital and Health Dept. [Partners] sponsors quarterly
“heart healthy” cooking workshops for the general public.
Emphasis is on health recipes and cooking techniques
participants can use in their daily lives [Program]. 49
consumers participated in the four workshops [People] .
Participants were surveyed several weeks following
classes, and 36 indicated they had used class recipes or
modified their own recipes to reduce fat, sodium, or
sugar. According the JADA, nutrition intervention
saves on average $8000 medical costs per patient. Thus,
for the small group surveyed there was an estimated total
savings of $288,000 [Impact] . Due to interest of
participants and program value, workshops will continue
quarterly [Conclusion] .
Key Tips For Writing Quality Success
Stories
• Follow the PPPPIC format
• Make sure the program IMPACT is presented
• Never use ACRONYMS unless meaning is described
• Focus on Cooperative Extension’s programs & roles
• Place monetary values on impacts if possible
• Use Cooperative Extension rather than “I” or “the agent”
• Focus on program outcomes rather than activities
• Write toward external audiences rather than internal
• Accept that others may not know of or understand your programs
• Avoid using client names or specialist names
• Avoid using lots of numbers and % signs
• Describe program as simply as possible
• When indicating grants, make sure the program leverage is presented
• Name only the key partners rather than everyone
• Always check the spelling
• Once in a system, review your story for misspellings and truncation
• Use Key impact words as appropriate such as job gains, dollars
earned/saved, educational improvements/gains, social or natural
environment enhancement, etc.
Jgr-4-04
Revised 8-07
Program
Costs
and Values
Cost Effectiveness
Comparisons
Extension services are being
assessed and compared to
alternatives as to level
of efficiency and real
benefits to clients and
society.
Accountability
NEED TO PROJECT
Our
VALUE
SIMPLIFIED PROGRAM COST ANALYSIS FORM
A.
Total Salary $38,000 ____divided by 1,600 = $23.75 cost per hour (this
calculation is based on an annual work time of 2,000 hours with 25% fringe
benefits added)
B.
Overhead, clerical support, and travel = 1 X (A.) = $23.75 cost per hour
C.
Total hours expended for program planning, implementing, evaluating,
marketing, etc.________188_____________hours
D.
Program Cost = A + B ___$47.50___, and multiply by
C. 188__, equals:
Total Ordinary Program Cost __$8,930___
E.
Plus
Extraordinary Program costs (if any), (examples include: participant travel
such as on tours, temporary labor such as parking attendants, meals, extra
supplies, special printing, hired travel such as taxis or airplane tickets, per
diem, consultants, and any other items that are over and above ordinary daily
operations)__$800__+ ________+________ = Total ___$800______
TOTAL PROGRAM COST (D. + E.) $8,930 + 800 = $9,730
*Quick Cost Calculation = A. $23.75 X 2 = $47.50 X C. 188 =
$8,930 + $800 = $9,730
*(plus extraordinary costs, if any)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Prepared by John G. Richardson
Extension Program Delivery and Accountability Leader
HEART HEALTHY PROGRAM
(3 professionals involved)
5 hours planning
15 hours shopping/preparation
1 hour room set up
2 hours promoting/advertising
8 hours preparing recipe booklets
15 hours presenting
1 hour evaluating & reporting
47 hours
4 workshops per year = 188 hours total
Using a salary of $38,000, the cost per hour
= $47.50
Heart Healthy Program
Successful
Heart disease is the number 1 killer in Robeson County [Problem].
Cooperative Extension in cooperation with local hospital and Health
Dept. [Partners] sponsors quarterly “heart healthy” cooking
workshops for the general public. Emphasis is on health recipes and
cooking techniques participants can use in their daily lives [Program].
49 consumers participated in the four workshops [People].
Participants were surveyed several weeks following classes, and 36
indicated they had used class recipes or modified their own recipes to
reduce fat, sodium, or sugar. According the JADA (1996), nutrition
intervention saves on average $8000 medical costs per patient. Thus,
for the small group surveyed there was an estimated total savings of
$288,000 [Impact]. Due to interest of participants and program value,
workshops will continue quarterly [Conclusion].
Program Cost Effectiveness
Program Value = $288,000
Program Cost = $9,730
Net Program Benefit = $278,270
Cost-Benefit Ratio = $29.6 to $1
Determining Program
Economic Benefit Values
In valuing impacts or results of Extension programs, one or
more of the factors listed may be considered for calculating
the economic value of the impacts. Therefore, value may
equal:












Reduced costs
Increased income
Savings
Value Added
Expected values (projected use/income)
Alternative opportunity cost of capital
Increased productivity
Willingness to pay
Multiplier effect
How we are better off = less injury/sickness/
death/medical costs/insurance premiums
Non market benefits (cost effectiveness)
Indirect values
Determining Program Economic Benefit Values Fact Sheet 2002-01
JGR & CLM/2002
NCCES
Determining Extension
Program Economic Benefit
Value
Increased
Income
Reduced
Costs
Savings
Increased
Productivity
Value
Added
Valuing
Extension
Programs
Expected
Value
Willingness
to
Pay
Alternative
Opportunity
Costs of
Capital
Multiplier
Effect
Indirect
Values
Nonmarket
Benefits
How We
Are
Better Off
URL:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/AboutCES/Factsheets/EconomicBenefitValues.htm
Reduced costs

This means for estimating program
value has been used extensively.

Estimate gains or dollars saved resulting
from participants changing their
behaviors/practices as a result of the
organization’s educational programs.

Examples: Food costs reduced as a result of
comparison shopping; or the value of
soil sampling education can be the
dollars saved when application rates
are based on analysis
recommendations rather than
indiscriminately applying higher
rates.
Increased income

Extension programs can:



help participants gain new skills that enhance
their job prospects,
lead participants to adopt innovative practices
that increase yields, or
encourage other decisions that cause participants
to increase their income.

One can estimate income gained as a result of
adopting new or alternative enterprises
that enable the more efficient use of
available resources

The program's value can be the difference
in participants' income levels before and
after the program.
Increased Savings

There are a number of
Extension programs that
focus on savings
enhancement.

The increased savings realized by
program participants can be
considered the estimated
value of the program.
Increased Productivity

This valuation method is commonly used in nonagricultural businesses as well as in agriculture.

Productivity is the ratio of output per unit of input.

Therefore, practices, processes, or innovations that
either increases output or reduces the units of
inputs would increase productivity.

Examples:




Farming more acres with the same number of
employees
Larger or more efficient equipment often increases
the productivity of a farm operation
Increased crop yield per acre
The difference between the value gained resulting from
adopting a new practice, and the costs required
to implement the new practice, would be a good
estimate of the value of educational program
causing such efficiency gains.
Value added

Value added is the increased value from
using a product in a new way or
modifying the product in a way that
generates more profits for the business.

An example: a farmer uses the grain
produced on the farm as feed for his
livestock rather than selling the grain
for cash. This may significantly
improve the returns per bushel of grain
produced.

The value of the program that resulted in
this alternative use of the grain can be
estimated to be the difference in returns
produced by feeding the grain to the
livestock compared to the price of the
same bushel of grain if sold.
Expected values

This method of program valuation, requires
one to have knowledge of the end
product or result that is expected from
the educational program.

For example, the value of a program to help
people start home-based business may
be the projected income generated by
such a new business.

The expected income can be estimated based
on the known history of similar
ventures.
Alternative Opportunity
Cost of Capital

Some Extension programs address alternative
allocation of resources within one’s business to
increase total return.

The increase in total returns can be used as an estimate
of the program value.

For example, a farmer has a choice to
1. invest in machinery which would result in a major
cost savings ,or
2. to invest the same funds in a regular savings acct.

The value of the program to assist the farmer in making
this decision could be estimated to be the
difference between the net income realized from
the cost savings of the machinery investment and
the interest earned had the money been invested in
a savings account.
Willingness to Pay


The willingness of people to pay for some item or
service may be used as an estimate of the
economic benefit of providing that product
or service.
Consumer’s perception of improved quality of
products has been successfully parlayed
into additional income through improved
product packaging or presentation.

People are often willing to state how much they
would be willing to pay for certain
improved packaging, conveniences, and
services.

Such stated willingness-to-pay could serve as the
basis for estimating the value of educational
programs exploring the costs and benefits of
activities such as improved market
development, or services such as
recreational opportunities (trail
development, agri-tourism, or similar
recreational ventures).
Multiplier effect

This term is often used in economic development
circles.

When new money is introduced into a community
as a result of economic activity, it is likely
that there will be greater demand for other
goods and services in the community.

This may result in more new businesses.

The "multiplier" then, is the number of times that
the initial dollar of economic activity causes
additional dollars to be generated in the
community.

The estimated value of the Extension program that
stimulated the initial increase in economic
activity could be the total value of additional
goods and services being generated.
How we are better off?

The insurance industry continually places values on
peoples’ lives and serious injuries.

Changes in habits, lifestyles, practices, infrastructure,
and physical and social environment, impacts
our well-being.

Removal of hazards, improvements in physical
surroundings, and changed behaviors that
results in reduced illnesses or increased life
expectancy, all add to the value of life.

Adopting practices that result in safer driving,
improved eating habits, improved water quality
and safety, increased seat belt use, safer
pesticide handling, and numerous other
behaviors are examples of changes that impact
the protection of human life.

The value of such changes in behavior can reasonably
be quantified using statistical values ascribed to
human life, injury, and health, and thus can be
used to estimate the economic value of
educational programs.
Non-market benefits
(cost effectiveness)

Extension programs produce change in human behavior.



Easy to identify
Difficult to value due to their non-market nature.
Examples of non-market benefits: (not bought or sold)



changes (increases) in a person’s education level,
changes in one’s aspirations or attitudes,
improvement in one’s quality of life, self-esteem, or
major leadership skills and abilities.

Human development and social change have been
studied and values projected for these changes.

These projections can be used to place values on such
Extension programs.

For example, US Census Bureau estimates values of
different education levels in lifetime earnings.
EDUCATION PAYS OFF
New data from the Census Bureau shows that people with
higher education levels earn more money over a lifetime.
Lifetime earnings estimates
(Full-time workers ages 25 to 64)
$3.4 million
Doctoral
Professional
4.4 million
Master's
2.5 million
Bachelor's
2.1 million
Associate's
1.6 million
Some college
1.5 million
High school
1.2 million
Less than high school
1.0 million
$0
Source: Census Bureau
The Associated Press
$1
$2
$3
million
million
million
THE NEWS & OBSERVER
Sunday, July 21, 2002
$4
million
Indirect values

Indirect values are difficult to assess.

Indirect benefits are affected by factors beyond the scope the
educational program.

Valuation of indirect program results is questionable at best, if
attempted by persons not recognized as valuation experts.

Example: the value of refrigeration equipment sold to provide
better protection for food in a restaurant

The primary program goal: food safety through proper food
preparation and handling practices by food service
workers.

Motivation to buy new equipment may be: a result of Food
Handlers Extension Certification Program.
HOWEVER

In reality, the equipment may have simply been:

A replacement of old equipment,

Merely a step toward expanding the restaurant’s business,

Or, simply the result of a visit by a very good refrigeration
equipment salesperson.
Key Valuing Tips

Must be believable

Use common sense

Be reasonable and realistic

Use credible sources

Seek multiple sources of values information (Web,
Experts, respected publications)

Ask clientele

Use observation skills

Anecdotal evidence may be sufficient

Use comparative values if needed

Historical values or commonly accepted values may be
used

Extrapolation may be used if realistic

May use estimates of values lost

Shadow pricing may be used (reduced crime rates,
education)

Think beyond the box

Can not readily value everything

Beware of unintended messages

Some outcomes may take longer than others
Jgr 10-07
Communicating Program
Value Through Success
Stories
Location: Caldwell [Increased income]
Many small and limited-resource farmers are constantly looking
to diversify their agricultural enterprises in order to stay in
business. One area for potential growth in the foothills and
mountains is in the green industry. During 2006, 131 small and
limited-resource farmers received information on growing
nursery and greenhouse crops as value-added products
through workshops and personal consultations. Of the 131, 27
have diversified or expanded into the green industry. As a
result, 324 acres are in production resulting in an increased
total income of $291,600 for the 27 farmers.
Location: Robeson [Reduced costs]
[How we are better off]
Robeson has the 2nd highest diabetes mortality rate in NC for
primary cause. Afro- and Native Americans, majority of
Robeson's population, have a higher diabetes rate than
Caucasians. Robeson County Cooperative Extension partnered
with the Health Dept. and 4 minority churches in 2006 (4 were
completed in 2005) in conducting diabetes educational classes
and grocery store tours. 71 consumers participated. According
to follow up behavioral change surveys, 69% had improved foot
care and 79% had made dietary changes to better control their
diabetes. One congregation used class information to revive a
member experiencing low blood sugar. One man relieved foot
numbness by using correct walking step. In follow up
conversations, several participants commented on increased
label reading and used correct diabetic terminology. Nutrition
intervention is known to contribute to health care savings
($5400 per person); thus this instruction saved an estimated
potential of $383,400.
Communicating Program
Value Through Success
Stories
Location: Hoke
[Reduced costs]
According to the Department of Juvenile Justice, Hoke County is a
"target county" because a large number of youth are sent to training
school. Between January and May in only one year, it has cost the
county $25,272 to detain youth. To address the character and decision
making skills of youth, Cooperative Extension offers a prevention
program called 4H Life Skills. Cooperative Extension collaborates with
Hoke County Schools to offer the program to elementary and middle
school students. The program has reached 158 students this year and
none of the students who have graduated from the program have been
referred to juvenile justice. For each child not referred to juvenile
justice, the county saves $72.00 a day and $26,280 a year.
Location: Chowan
[Expected value]
[How we are better off]
[Increased productivity]
[Increased income]
2007 was an extremely dry season for all of the counties' row crop and
vegetable farmers. Because rainfall was extremely short of providing
crop needs, growers were increasingly dependent on the abundant
surface waters of the Chowan River and the Albemarle Sound. The
sound and river become increasingly salty over time when rainfall is
limited. Monitoring for salt concentration was initiated in late May and
continued through the growing season. Salt concentrations were
reported in newsletters and made available on request. Concentrations
became high enough (3000ppm) that continued irrigation would cause
crop damage. Cooperative Extension implemented an educational
program focusing on Salt Concentration Monitoring that enabled
growers to make informed decisions on irrigation timing and frequency
and avoided a potential 20% loss in yield. On approximately 10,000
acres of irrigated crops, this could have amounted to a $800,000 loss.
Communicating Program
Value Through Success
Stories
Location: Iredell
[Reduced costs]
Poultry growers in Iredell, Alexander, and Wilkes Counties have
been assisted by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Service in Iredell County to properly manage the waste
produced on their farms. 87 growers were able to realize a cost
savings of $1,142,970.00 in commercial fertilizer cost by
utilizing poultry litter as the nutrient source for crops grown on
their farms. Growers were assisted in litter analysis, soil
testing, and crop nutrient requirements. 3529 acres of crop land
and 15,676 tons of litter were analyzed and applied according to
agronomic rates and in an environmentally friendly manner.
Location: Henderson [Increased Income]
[Expected Values]
Several projects focused on sediment reduction and water
quality has resulted in an increased demand for native riparian
plants but limited local supplies. Through educational programs
CES in partnership with various other agencies has been able to
encourage five new growers to begin producing these plants to
fill this niche. This will allow contractors the opportunity to
source this material locally, potentially increasing the income of
the local nursery industry by $1,000,000 annually and saving
several miles of streambanks. This $1,000,000 will be kept in
local coffers.
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the story and offer your
comments and suggestions
Family and Consumer Sciences Programs
The NC Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County
Center utilizes the volunteers of the Extension and
Community Association (ECA) to carry educational
information out into their communities within the
county. The 155 Cabarrus ECA members focused on
strengthening families through education, leadership
and community service. Twenty seven members
participated in the Certified Volunteer Unit (CVU)
program which documents their volunteer hours
annually. The 27 members who recorded their hours
volunteered 16,396 hours helping with Extension
programs and community service projects. Valued at
$18.04 per hour, their efforts equaled $295,783 in
contributions to the county. Daycare teachers, battered
women, international residents, needy children and 40
additional local, state and national organizations
benefited from their hours of volunteer efforts.
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the story and offer your
comments and suggestions
Family and Consumer Sciences Programs
Each year, millions of people are affected by
foodborne illness. Many cases are a result
of dining in restaurants and food service
establishments that have used unsafe food
handling practices. In June 2006, Beaufort
County in partnership with the Beaufort
County Environmental Health, Martin and
Chowan County Cooperative Extension
trained 35 food service managers in the
Servsafe Food Safety Course. As a result of
taking and passing the certification exam,
28 food service operations, will add 2 points
for the next 3 years to their overall
inspection grades. Based on data provided
by Extension's food safety specialist, a case
of foodborne illness costs $862. If each
establishment prevented one case of
foodborne illness, the savings would be
$30,170.
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the story and offer your
comments and suggestions
Community Development Programs
Protecting our watershed and river
basins are critical for eastern North
Carolina. Through collaboration with
the county board of commissioners,
the Beaver Management Assistance
Program was funded at a level of
$4,000. For this small investment,
landowners have realized a savings
of over $55,000 through beaver
population control.
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the story and offer your
comments and suggestions
Community Development Programs
Trash and junk along roadsides is an
eyesore in parts of Henderson County.
Cooperative Extension works closely
with the Henderson County Community
Development Council to provide
educational programs. One of the service
projects identified by the Council is litter
reduction. In the spring of 2006, eight
community development clubs
participated in litter reduction and picked
up 312 bags and 4 truckloads. 57
individuals gave 451 hours to litter
reduction efforts. In addition to improved
appearance of roadsides, there is an
increased awareness for concern for our
environment generated by these
volunteer efforts. At the current US
Labor Department standard volunteer
hourly valuation, their efforts in time and
effort alone is valued at $8,136.
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the story and
offer your
comments and suggestions
Youth Development Programs
Parents and Child Care Providers in
Northeastern North Carolina participated
in the Northeast District Child Care
Conference on March 24 and 244 reported
learning useful skills that will assist them
in their homes/centers/ and programs. The
information shared prepared the staff for
day care situations and saved an
estimated $5,000 in training costs for
these limited resources centers. Over 3000
children (ages 5 and under) are serviced
by this audience and they paid employees
need certification that is appropriate for
their level of care. American Red Cross
Trainings are also providing guidance for
the child care facilities in Perquimans.
After completing the written test and the
practice skills, 30 adults and 4 youth
became certified in Adult, Child, and Infant
CPR and 11 adults renewed their first aid
certification.
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the story and offer your
comments and suggestions
Youth Development Programs
The Hertford-Northampton 4-H Livestock
Show and Sale provides an opportunity for
youth to raise livestock, earn a profit and
earn a number of life lessons. This year,
forty-two participants raises hogs, lambs,
goats or steers. The youth earned $30,275
above realistic market price. Two youth
received college scholarships. Through
participation in showmanship clinics, mailings
and one-on-one interaction the youth learn
the nutritional and health needs of their
animal and how to raise a good quality meat
animal. They also learn valuable life skills
such as patience, time management,
teamwork and public speaking.
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the story and offer your
comments and suggestions
Determining peanut maturity and digging at the
optimum time, is one of the many management
decisions peanut farmers make each year. To
help farmers determine the optimum time to
dig, the NC Cooperative Extension Service
conducted peanut pod blasting clinics in Martin
County, with farmers bringing in samples from
each their fields. The outer layer of the peanuts
was removed with a pressure washer and
maturity was determined. Six maturity clinics
were held and 195 samples were checked for 61
farmers. This represented 6,636 acres of
peanuts. Research shows that yields can be
increased by about 19 pounds per acre per day
when peanuts are dug at the optimum time. By
following Extension recommendations from the
maturity clinics, farmers were able to increase
their gross income by about $265,000 by
digging at the optimum time.
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the story and offer your
comments and suggestions
A Creedmoor employer wanted to assist its
employees in their efforts to become healthier and
more physically active; 51 employees at Solectron,
Inc. participated in A New Leaf: Choices for Healthy
Living. Partnering with the Granville County Health
Department, two one-hour classes were offered
weekly for nine weeks. Of the 41 participants who
completed a series evaluation, 27 lost weight, 14
reported lower blood cholesterol readings, 28
reported sleeping better, 30 increased time spent in
physical activity, 23 didn’t get as out of breath
when physically active, and 8 reported increased
confidence. A significant number increased the
number of servings of whole grains eaten every
day; started or increased walking to at least one
mile a day, five days a week; started using hunger
as a signal to eat instead of responding to time,
food availability or emotions.
Valuing Workshop
A Creedmoor employer wanted to assist its employees in
their efforts to become healthier and more physically active; 51
employees at Solectron, Inc. participated in A New Leaf: Choices for
Healthy Living. Partnering with the Granville County Health
Department, two one-hour classes were offered weekly for nine
weeks. Of the 41 participants who completed a series evaluation, 27
lost weight, 14 reported lower blood cholesterol readings, 28
reported sleeping better, 30 increased time spent in physical activity,
23 didn’t get as out of breath when physically active, and 8 reported
increased confidence. A significant number increased the number of
servings of whole grains eaten every day; started or increased
walking to at least one mile a day, five days a week; started using
hunger as a signal to eat instead of responding to time, food
availability or emotions.
Stroke and Hypertension
Associated Behavior Taught/Measured in EFNEP
Prepare/serve food with less salt
•Using food labels to select food
•Meal planning around DGs
•Reduce/control weight
•Increased physical activity
•
Yearly $ Saved Per Person, If Condition Avoided
Stroke: $22,000 per patient
Hypertension: $348 per year for outpatient care
(Total cost = $17,400,000,000)
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/nutrition/490-403/490-403.html
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the stories and offer your
comments and suggestions
To reduce the number of Wills
County youth sent to training
school, Wills County 4-H Outreach
Program offers the juveniles
referred a structured service plan of
learning aimed at improving selfesteem, social conscience, personal
enrichment, social growth, and
development. In 2005, 36 courtreferred youth were diverted from
training school through
participation in the Wills County 4-H
Outreach Program, saving taxpayers
$1,800,000 in incarceration costs.
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the story and offer your
comments and suggestions
4-H and Youth
Although the family farm is not as prevalent as it
once was, farming still exists and children still
need to be taught the importance of Farm Safety.
Everyday there is the potential to be fatally injured
in a farm related accident. Extension hosted the
first annual Farm Safety Day Camp in Lenoir
County, with over 135 participants. The camp is
sponsored at the National level by Progressive
Farmer to reduce the amount of farm related
injuries and deaths. Multiple local sponsors
contributed to the success of the camp. The
campers returned home with valuable information
about how to be safer around tractors, ATV's,
moving parts, chemicals, fire, and large animals, as
well as information about First Aid and Emergency
Awareness. The information gained will help
reduce the likelihood of accidents on the farm for
the whole family.
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the stories and offer your
comments and suggestions
?????
Cooperative Extension is a leader in providing critical
training for child care providers in Cabarrus County.
Cooperative Extension provided 74 hours of instruction
in the 2006-07 school year to 630 afterschool teachers.
Training was valued at $25 per person, giving a total
value of $15,750. These professionals have taken
advantage of Cooperative Extension's training and are
responsible for 3,277 youth in their programs.
4-H Blue Ridge Conservation Corps is a work force
preparedness program focusing on job skills,
academic performance and life skill enhancement.
BRCC operates 6-days a week for 16 weeks each
semester. Corps Members are identified as at-risk
of Juvenile court involvement, high school failure
or drop out. Corps members earn points
redeemable for cash. One student who has
remained with BRCC since inception, and during
the summer she mentioned an interest in working
with young children in a camp setting. Through
collaboration with Ashe County 4-H Summer Parks,
we were able to place this BRC participant with a
summer day camp job as she had requested. She
is reported to be performing well and enjoys her
first “real” job.
Valuing Workshop
Instructions: Review the story and offer your
comments and suggestions
Missed opportunity ? [$1,408,000]
The profitability of soybean farmers
has been increased by $22.00/acre
by Extension programming.
Programming activates such as onfarm-tests and demonstrations, field
days, community meetings and onfarm-test reports were employed to
reduce seeding rates. A survey of
grower seeding practices found a
reduction of seeding rates by onefourth and a yield increase of 5%.
This resulted in an increased profit
of $22.00 per acre on 64,000 acres.
Plenty of Room For
Improvement!
Some Fine Examples?
Doozies
My newspaper article about the new tax
information for farmers resulted in at least
one CPA sending the article to all his
farming clientele. Without this information
and tax identification number, farmers will
have to pay taxes at the standard tax rate
for farm products.
14 niche swine producers attended a Pork
Quality Assurance class taught by Mary
Jones in Flat County. There was a 67%
increase in knowledge through the use of
pre and post tests and all 12 participants
became PQA Level III certified. These
same producers also attended a Trucker
Quality Assurance class taught jointly by
Jill Cox, instructor at Straight Good
Community College that same day. 6 of
the 12 participants passed the test to
become TQA certified.
URL:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/AboutCES/Factsheets
/
Program Valuing and Costs
Extension Program Cost Analysis
URL: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/AboutCES/Factsheets/progcost.html
Developing Cost and Benefit Estimates
URL: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/resources/education/sd8/
Determining Extension Program Economic
Benefit Value
URL:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/AboutCES/Factsheets/EconomicBenefitValues.htm
Success Story Review Nomenclature
The number or numbers placed on individual success stories reflects an appraisal of the story, which can be
used for recognizing opportunities for story enhancements. Please analyze your story and indicate any and
all numbers that apply. They are not rank ordered.
1. Excellent story with clear impact and values.
2. Very good, and also includes values.
3. Good, but could include values.
4. Contains some good information, but needs to follow the PPPPIC format.
(Problem, Program People, Partners, Impact, and Conclusion).
5. Indicated impact is weak.
6. Is well written, but has no actual impact.
7. Mostly an activity report.
8. Is more a narrative but not a success story.
9. Where is Cooperative Extension?
10. Seems focused to internal readers rather than on external readers.
11. Uses too many numbers and/or per cents that reduce clarity of story.
12. Is not easy to follow.
13. Probably needs to be rewritten for clarity.
14. Watch the use of Acronyms!!!!!!! Who knows what they represent?
15. Watch the spelling!!
16. When identifying 4-H, be sure to include Cooperative Extension too.
17. Do not promote specialists, as they are also Extension; only promote the
program impacts.
18. Grants are an admirable part of resources accumulation, that need to be
reported in Section G. A success story is how the grant is leveraging the
program that is producing impacts.
19. No actual Extension program identifiable.
20. Fails to say much of anything.
21. Truncated!! Indicates lack of review of data entered into ERS.
Dr. John Richardson, NC State University, 2005/2007
Lies and Statistics
The governments are extremely fond of
amassing (sic) great quantities of
statistics. These are raised to the Nth
degree, the cube roots are extracted, and
the results are arranged into elaborate
and impressive displays. What must be
kept ever in mind, however, is that in
every case, the figures are first put down
by a village watchman, and he puts down
anything he damn well pleases.
--Attributed to Sir Josiah Story
(1880-1941) H.M. Collector of
Inland Revenue
Have Fun Valuing
Have a nice day