• Individual follow-up evaluation with business start-ups - IBID

• BR&E program evaluation

• Conduct 2-3 Mini-Society programs plus 2-3 booster sessions

• Assist with Marketplace for Kids

• "Strategic Thinking for Business Success," inservice will be held for agents, USDA Rural Development staff, REAP and Champion community leaders and economic developers

Evaluation :

Individual post evaluations with entrepreneurship program participants and business startups.  Participating agents will be asked to conduct follow-up calls with agri-entrepreneurs for testimonial and success stories. Annual teacher/4-H leader and agent mail surveys will be conducted with Mini-Society participants.

Follow-up annual surveys will be sent to local BR&E coordinators for documentation of progress in implementation of BR&E plans. 

Indicators:     

• Number of participants who successfully start a business
• Number of BR&E projects implemented
• Number of teachers/participants in Mini-Society who implement the program.
• Change in local retail sales.                   

Persons Responsible: 

Bill Klein, Brian Gion, Kathy Tweeten, Reuben Tschitter, Larry Liestritz, Rudy Radke,

PROGRAM COMPONENT
E-BUSINESS, E-CAREERS 

Key Theme(s):      Technology Related to Home-Based Business Education, Promoting Business Programs and Jobs/Employment

Sub-Committee: Lynette Flage, Dan Folske, Dale Naze, Kathy Tweeten. Jesse Handegard, Linda Hauge, Nancy Bollingberg

Situation:  

The information technology revolution holds the promise of reducing the disadvantages of distance and low population density that have long held back rural communities relative to their urban counterparts.  Survival of rural enterprises and communities depends greatly on how rural people are prepared to deal with the Information Technology revolution, where services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Rural residents must develop the necessary skills for employability or entrepreneurship in an evolving industry.  They also need the skills to market their products in a competitive area. 

Target Audience: Rural business owners and residents interested in improving their technology and marketing skills. 

Desired Outcomes:

As a result of this educational experience, participants will: 

Learn:

• Learn to use the Internet as a business research tool to find new markets or suppliers or to check out the competition.

• Decide if a web presence is right for their business

• :Learn steps in planning a website

• Learn techniques to effectively promote a website

• Learn how to incorporate the Internet into a business plan 

Take Action:

• Provide on-line or face-to-face sales and support for communities

• Develop a home based business and utilize Internet resources to market that business

• Develop a web page and market an existing business through the Internet 

Change Conditions:

• Share in technology-related opportunities through increased awareness

• Increase economic activity through technology

• Assist in lowers the out-migration of people in rural areas in North Dakota because of added distance opportunities 

Educational Program: 

Year One -2002

·         A committee will be formed of individuals interested in e-commerce activities and training across North Dakota .  They will be responsible for input on curriculum development and evaluation regarding e-commerce. 

·     “ Access Minnesota Main Street ”, an e-commerce curriculum from Minnesota will be utilized and revised for use in North Dakota .   This material includes web-based PowerPoint slide shows for appropriate sessions, web-based versions of the curriculum with links to additional resources sites and sets of take home and review exercises for each lesson. 

Individuals responsible include: Lynette Flage, Dave Rice, Kathy Tweeten, Linda Hauge, Dan Folske, Dale Naze, Gene Veeder,  David Johnson, Ray Hintz, Nancy Bollingberg, Jesse Handegard. 

Year Two - 2003

·         Four to five pilot counties will be identified and complete the “E-business” course work by fall 2003.  E-pilot counties will be trained in an intensive 2-day training program that prepares them to teach this course.  They will receive an instructor’s manual and access to Web-based instructor notes.  Individuals trained may include extension staff, local Job Development Authority members, local economic development staff, etc.  The pilot counties and the e-team committee will work together to determine individuals trained.

·         Following the train-the-trainer program, the final main delivery method of this program will be through easy-to-understand informal classroom settings in local communities.  (Some face-to-face and some video-conferencing will be used.)  Six day long sessions will be taught to small business owners by the trained individuals.

·         A short-course including e-business terminology and information will be developed and taught to Extension staff to be ultimately utilized with county clientele.  The short-course would include understanding e-jargon and marketing.

·         A presentation marketing this program would be developed to provide to state, county and local decision makers with an overview of the program and results from the pilot programs.  Collaborations for this presentation would be necessary and include local JDA’s, Community developers, ISP’s, etc.

Necessary support will be provided for the NDSU Computers Department and the Master’s in e-business program in development

Individuals responsible include: (same as in year 1), individuals trained in pilot communities. 

Evaluation:   Written evaluations will be provided to e-Business participants on knowledge gained and how they plan to utilize the information for their own business. 

Year Three - 2004

·         E-business “train-the-trainer” programs will be offered to 10 more counties in year 3.

·         E-business for Small Business will continue to be offered to small business and individuals in North Dakota .

·         A quarterly web-based newsletter will be developed for individuals that have participated in the program.  It will provide updates on e-commerce and resources for North Dakotans .

      An informational piece/brochure will be developed to promote Access North Dakota Mainstreet workshops that include testimonials from small business owners with no store-front of those that use the Internet to sell good and services.

Individuals responsible include: (same as year 1), all county trained individuals. 

Evaluation: 

Written evaluations will be provided to e-Business participants on knowledge gained and how they plan to utilize the information for their own business.

15 small North Dakota businesses will participate in the E-business for Small Business program by December 2003 and become involved in e-business or update current e-business practices. 

Year 4 - 2005

·         E-business for Small business will continue to be offered to 10 more counties in year 4.

·         A long-term evaluation will be prepared and disseminated to all participants in the program with requests for jobs created or revenues increased information. 

Individuals responsible include: (same as year 1), all counties trained in the program 

Evaluation:

Written evaluations will be provided to e-Business participants on knowledge gained and how they plan to utilize the information for their own business. 

Job created and increased revenues by participating businesses will be assessed through long-term evaluations completed by year 4 -2004.

PROGRAM COMPONENT
VALUE ADDED AGRICULTURE  

Key Theme(s):     Supplemental Income Strategies

Sub-Committee: Ron Smith, Rudy Radke, Harvey Peterson, Mike Rose, Chet Hill 

Value Added Ag:

“If we are to achieve results never before accomplished, we must employ methods never before attempted.”  (Sir Francis Bacon) Goal: To add value to horticultural (vegetables, fruits, herbs, etc.) products so that more jobs may be created and money retained within North Dakota’s borders.  

Situation:

Rural North Dakota has been experiencing a steady decline in the number of medium farms and farm families for several decades. This depopulation of rural counties is turning the communities that were supported by the family farmers into literal ghost towns. In spite of this out-migration of families and associated businesses, a few brave souls remain that appear to be making financial headway through innovative entrepreneurial effort. The small farms that produce niche or specialty products have doubled in the last seven years.  The managers of these farms (from ½ up to 80 acres) typically have an off-farm full time job in addition to managing their farms.  It is clear that these and other like-minded individuals would benefit from support in production, processing, and marketing of their products.

The large farms in North Dakota have stabilized with the scale increasing.  This puts a gap between the small farm and the large scale farm, with the medium farms being squeezed out of the picture. While it is Extension’s duty to help all farm operations, it appears our effectiveness will be maximized in assisting the small entrepreneurial farmer.  

Targeted Audience:

Those individuals who show the following characteristics:

• Strong, committed leadership

• Sound marketing plan

• Committed supply

• Well capitalized

• Competent, efficient, and quality conscious processing

• Market savvy for the products they are intending to produce

• Broadly applicable business principles – that don’t “poor boy” a business

In addition, these individuals must be able to answer two basic questions to be a part of the targeted audience: 1. Does it make sense?; and, 2. Do they know who they are doing business with? The key is to know what you don’t know, and know how to get the answers.  

Desired Outcomes:

As a result of inputs from NDSU Extension Specialists in the areas of production, processing and marketing, these targeted individuals will:  

Broaden Their Economic Base

• By adding value to products that either didn’t exist before this initiative, or were missing target markets

• By providing stable, decent paying jobs that will contribute to the economic stability of the region

• By creating, stealing, or buying customers where there were none before

• Producer formed alliances for better production and marketing coordination  

Attract Outside Investors

When economic, entrepreneurial competency is demonstrated at the entry or mid-level development stages, the chance for outside investors improves to further expand the business climate.  

Learn:

• Cooperative planning for production, marketing, processing

• To reach beyond the economic limitations of the State of North Dakota by using modern technology via web sites for market penetration and expansion.  

Take Action:

• Work one-on-one mostly, with the individuals who are identified as being risk takers and entrepreneurs intent on being successful

• Develop targeted fact sheets

• News releases, newsletters to the identified leaders

• Website interaction

• Glean from other states success stories to inspire our interested citizens  

Change Conditions:

• Stabilize communities via employment opportunities that do not now exist

• Increase skill levels of participants to help attract outside investors  

Educational Program:  

Years One – Four - 2002 – 2005 

On-going activity in fact sheet production to targeted producers and interested individuals, augmented with Web-site interaction, quarterly advertisements, links to the NDSU Center for Community Vitality and on the Extension web page to direct people to a specific site and Extension personnel whose expertise can be of help. All of this in addition to participation in traditional meetings with appropriate groups, i.e. MN Fruit and Vegetable Growers Ass’n, Business Retention and Expansion International, ND Farmers Market and Growers Association, local farmers markets, NAFDMA, etc.  

Joint planning of research in the department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics and extension and outreach with entrepreneurs involved in value added ventures will begin.  

Provide in-depth workshop for wine makers and producers.  This workshop will network growers and wine makers plus will include business information and tourism aspects of the wine making business. An inservice for growers and wine producers will be repeated in 2005.  Money making opportunities for organizations in product for wineries and farmers markets will be communicated through media and direct contacts.

Estimated Expenditures:  

Trained staff, money, travel, a programmer for web site development and maintenance, out of state contacts, power points on the web are needed. It is anticipated Extension personnel, Mike Rose, Nels Peterson, Terry Lykken, Jerry Larson, and Brad Brummond would be trained as facilitators in Value Added Agriculture.  Total cost is difficult to estimate.  

Individuals responsible include: Rudy Radke, Ron Smith, Mike Rose, Nels Peterson, Terry Lykken, Jerry Larson, Brad Brummond, Agribusiness and Applied Economics department, Chet Hill, Chip Poland , Greg Lardy, local economic developers, Department of Commerce  

Evaluation and Assessment:  

In this process, it will not so much be a number accumulation as it will be an ability to identify and overcome typical barriers and limitations. Some barriers may indicate that the group is not headed in a direction that is feasible, or that some creative thinking is needed in order to remove or avoid the barrier. From past experience, the following barriers and limitations are common:  

1. High enthusiasm; group falls apart. Usually due to a lack of action, or progress toward the goals the group has set for itself.  

2. Group focuses too much energy on wrong or inappropriate issues. To be effective, groups need diversity in thinking and background, which often bring complications. To overcome wasting energy on non-relevant issues, refocusing on what the group was initially formed for and refocusing on the original objectives and reasons is needed.  

3. Group has many ideas, but no focus on a particular project: With group meetings comes brainstorming; with brainstorming, ideas must be prioritized to work effectively on one or two ideas at a time, with the others being developed as time, facilities, interest, and finances dictate.  

4. Barriers to implementation of project ideas: Basically these boil down to financial and philosophical; getting venture capital raised for the committed and appropriately talented individuals, and realizing that “organic” is not for everyone.  Growing herbs may require organic approaches when used for medicinal or culinary purposes, but Juneberry production requires non-organic inputs at this time to be successful.  

PROGRAM COMPONENT
IMPROVING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LITERACY IN RURAL AMERICA  

Key Theme(s):       Impact of Change on Rural Communities

Sub-Committee: Lynette Flage, Dan Folske, Kathy Tweeten, Dale Naze, McKenzie County technology team  , North Dakota 4-H Tech Team

Situation: The Internet provides opportunities to North Dakota residents of all ages for interaction and information retrieval.  This is an especially important resource to those in rural areas.  While more and more North Dakota residents have access to computers, many live in areas where there are few Internet and other technology training opportunities available.  A basic understanding of computer technology is becoming necessary to effectively function in today’s society. 

Target Audience: Rural North Dakota residents who want to increase their Internet and computer skills.  Their characteristics include a desire to learn and improve their technical skills. 

Desired Outcomes: 

As a result of this educational experience, participants will:  

Learn:

• Upgrade their technology skills

• Learn to use the Internet as a valuable resource

Take Action:

Be able to teach computer skills and information to adults 

Change conditions:

•  Have access to better paying jobs through the expansion and support for a technology workforce

• Be able to work with the local communities to assist with a plan for developing technology related opportunities

• Improve the standard of living in North Dakota communities 

Educational Program: 

Year One - 2002

·         Final 4-day Master Internet Volunteer “boot camp” training program offered to county staff.  When complete, 44 counties will have the Master Internet Volunteer training and equipment.

·         Master Internet Volunteer program will be offered to 44 counties across North Dakota .  The ten week, 30 hour course will provide technology and Internet information to participants.

·         Quarterly e-mail updates on various “new” technologies and web sites provided to MIV’s.

·         The “Technology Connection” will be developed; a basic breakdown of the MIV program, to provide Extension staff and Master Internet volunteers a resource when providing stand alone Internet information.  The Technology Connection will be web-based and provide a “tool-kit” for those teaching technology.  Each tool kit will include a teacher’s guide, a PowerPoint presentation, participant hand-outs and hands-on activities.

·         Continued hands-on training to staff provided on requested technology topics not provided within the MIV program.  Detailed, specific web page development and digital camera use will be provided as well as other current technology issues.

·         A committee consisting of county staff members, state staff members and youth will be formed to consider a teen Web-masters/technology entrepreneur program.   This committee will consider youth entrepreneur programs and technology centers for teens to be placed in rural communities providing accessibility to technology and business-related programs for young people. 

Individuals responsible include: Lynette Flage, Dave Rice, Master Internet Volunteer leaders, Master Internet Volunteers, Angie Milakovic, ND State 4-H Tech Team, state and county staff on committee.    

Evaluation: Written evaluation of the MIV program will be provided at the beginning of the program, at the end of in-class training and when volunteering is completed.  

Year Two - 2003

Continued hands-on training to staff on web page development, digital cameras and other current technology information/programs

·         A “Teaching With Technology- Using Video-conferencing” website will be available with beginning training materials available for staff and statewide system using video-conferencing.  Face-to-face training will be held for staff on using the video-conferencing equipment.  Staff training will be 6 hours in length and provide information on use of equipment and effective teaching strategies for this medium.

·         Continued support provided for Master Internet instructors and volunteers through quarterly updates and the Technology Connection site as provided. 

Individuals responsible include: Lynette Flage, Dave Rice, Dave Haasser, Sandy Sprafka, Becky Koch, David Saxowsky, Dan Nudell, Mike Miller, Dave Jacobs. 

Evaluation: Written evaluation of the MIV program will be provided at the beginning of the program, at the end of in-class training and when volunteering is completed.  

Year Three - 2004

·         Continued hands-on training to staff on current technology information/programs

·        Formal support to the Master Internet Volunteer program will come to a close.  The web-based material will continue to be updated and available   to MIV-leaders.  A “sunset” report will be completed and the program evaluated for the 6 year period. 

·        Continued training provided on video-conferencing equipment and effective teaching strategies.  All staff will have access to video-conferencing within a 50 miles radius of their office. 

·         Continue training and support through the “Technology Connection” providing new material to staff and volunteers on technology with short courses on the latest information. 

·         Development of technology assessment for communities.  What does it take to be “e-ready”?  Staff will be able to assist communities in preparing for e-readiness.  Staff training will be through short face–to-face presentations and web-based assessment tools.  Communities can review this assessment tool and review the checklist as it pertains to their own community. 

Individuals responsible include: Lynette Flage, Dave Rice, MIV leaders, MIV volunteers, IBID, local private businesses, local technology providers, local JDA’s. 

Evaluation: Written evaluation of the MIV program will be provided at the beginning of the program, at the end of in-class training and when volunteering is completed.

A final formal evaluation of the MIV program will be provided to staff that have taught the course at least once AND participants in the course still on the listserv.  This evaluation will encompass a six year time span and request impact information from volunteers and staff on those they have assisted.  

Year Four - 2005 

·         Continued hands-on training to staff on current technology information/programs.

·         Continued training provided on video-conferencing equipment and effective teaching strategies.  All staff will have access to video-conferencing within a 50 mile radius of their office.

·         Continued support through the “Technology Connection” providing new material to staff and volunteer on technology with short courses on the latest information.   

Evaluation: An assessment of community technology plans will be completed in Year 4.  This assessment will provide documentation of long-term social and economic issues in counties using the e-ready checklist to assist them in moving forward with technology in their community.  The tool will be sent to community technology leaders using the e-ready checklist.

  PROGRAM COMPONENT
DISASTER EDUCATION 

Key Theme(s):       Impact of Change on Rural Communities

Sub-Committee: Becky Koch, Ken Hellevang, Brad Cogdill, Charlie Stoltenow, Rita Ussatis, Kasia Kinzer, Trina Spaeth

Target Audience:

Extension Educators, community leaders, homeowners, ag producers

Outcomes:

Learn

• Extension staff’s role in the four phases of disasters
• How to prepare and mitigate for natural and man-made disasters
• How to carry out long-term disaster recovery
• To identify potential bioterrorism threats
• To organize communities for disaster preparation and recovery

Take Action:

• Extension agents will educate target audiences in their communities about natural and man-made disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies
• Extension agents will work with community coalitions to organize communities for disaster preparedness
• Homeowners will mitigate their homes
• Ag producers will carry out preparedness and mitigation strategies on their operations

Change Conditions:

• Extension staff will carry out specific roles in North Dakota disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery
• Communities will be prepared for and better able to respond to disasters
• Homeowners will mitigate their homes to reduce the impact of disasters
• Ag producers will mitigate their operations to reduce the impact of disasters

Educational Program:

2003-04

• Update the Disaster Education Resources notebook for Extension staff and make the information available on the Web.
• Provide online introduction to emergency management training for all Extension staff
• Develop train-the-trainer lessons on disaster supplies kits, disaster communication plans, farmstead security, crop security and livestock security.
• Develop a Disaster Preparedness Web page that features train-the-trainer lesson plans.
• Work with other North Dakota agencies and organizations to define Extension’s roles before, during and after disasters

Evaluation:

• NDSU Extension Service Disaster Education Resources notebook is updated and available on the Web.
• ND Division of Emergency Management PowerPoint is revised and put on the Web as a narrated PPT for NDSU Extension staff to learn about emergency management in general and their roles.
• County agents meet and cooperate with their county emergency managers
• Extension is incorporated into the North Dakota Emergency Operations Plan and county plans
• County ag agents are able to follow procedures outlined in the animal and plant emergency protocols
• At least five train-the-trainer lesson plans are on a Web site available to NDSU Extension staff and other Extension educators around the country.

Indicators:

• Disaster Education Resources
• Natural and man-made disaster train-the-trainer lesson plans.
• Extension in state and county plans
• Reports after disasters

Individuals Responsible:

Becky Koch, Brad Cogdill, Ken Hellevang