Source: UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
WRDC 2021
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1026609
Grant No.
2021-51150-34735
Cumulative Award Amt.
$494,880.00
Proposal No.
2021-04714
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2021
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2023
Grant Year
2021
Program Code
[UU.R]- Rural Development Centers
Recipient Organization
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
LOGAN,UT 84322
Performing Department
Western Rural Development Cent
Non Technical Summary
The Western Rural Development Center collaborates with western land-grant universities and public and private sector partners to promote excellence in research, education, and Extension for the prosperity of western rural communities. The Western Rural Development Center works to build capacity throughout the region's Land-Grant Universities and Cooperative Extension Service to help rural communities prosper, thrive economically, and become self-sustaining.At the Western Rural Development Center, we link the science-based research and educational outreach capacity of the region's public universities with communities, local decision-makers, entrepreneurs, families, farmers and ranchers to help address a wide range of development issues. In order to more effectively address these issues and the emerging concerns facing the residents of the rural West, the Western Rural Development Center focuses its efforts on three priority areas: 1) Community Development; 2) Climate Education; and 3) Land Use and Management Planning.
Animal Health Component
60%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
60%
Developmental
30%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
60860993080100%
Knowledge Area
608 - Community Resource Planning and Development;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3080 - Sociology;
Goals / Objectives
The Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) collaborates with western land-grant universities and public and private sector partners to promote excellence in research, education, and Extension for the prosperity of western rural communities. The WRDC works to build capacity throughout the region to help rural communities prosper, thrive economically, and become self-sustaining. At the WRDC, we link the science-based research and educational outreach capacity of the region's public universities with communities, local decision-makers, entrepreneurs, families, farmers and ranchers to help address a wide range of development issues. In order to more effectively address these issues and the emerging concerns facing the residents of the rural west, the WRDC focuses it efforts on three priority areas: 1) Communty Development; 2) Climate Education; and 3) Land Use and Management Planning.The WRDC is proposing the following initiatives for its Fiscal Year 2021-22 Plan of Work. This plan builds upon activities established in previous years. These proposed initiatives and activities support the following USDA Strategic Goals for FY 2018-2022:- Goal 4 - Facilitate rural prosperity and economic development;- Goal 6 - Foster productive and sustainable use of our National Forest Systems Lands;- Goal 7 - Provide all Americans with access to a safe, nutritious and secure food supply.
Project Methods
We collect data from primary and publically available sources. The knowledge generated will be shared via our publications, webinars and videos.

Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Residents and leaders in the rural west. Changes/Problems:As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to personally visit the communities as often as usual. We learned to conduct more of the meetings virtually. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?WRDC personnel received training, and well as leaders in all of the communities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Our ASAP project was initiated in 5 counties in Utah, 8 counties in New Mexico and 5 counties in Washington.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

    Outputs
    Target Audience:Residents and leaders of rural communities in the west; community development Extension professionals; policy makers at the local, state, and national level. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions for us and for those we work with. We were able to provide resources to help communities deal directly with the pandemic. Also, we were able to do a much larger share of our work virtually. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Through ASAP, we worked with a number of rural communities where we provide training for community leaders. Additionally, we meet monthly with Community Development Extension Professionals where we learn from one another. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through publications and reports. We have also released a video about the ASAP process. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Extensive work is ongoing to continue our efforts to meet project goals.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Substantial progress was made for each goal. This was the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Substantial effort was made to help rural communities prosper during an extremely difficult time. A number of publications were released to help communities address the concerns caused by the pandemic. Additionally, we conducted ASAP in a number of communities, with much of the work being done virtually. Additionally, we have nearly completed the development of our GIS data base.

    Publications

    • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Albrecht, Don. 2020. "Building a Resilient 21st Century Economy for Rural America. University of Colorado Press.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: WRDC Video "Strengthening Rural Utah Economies."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10LxGIMVYMw
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Lacy, Katherine, Malieka Bordigioni, Ruby Ward, Staci Emm, Karin Allen, and Anne Whyte. 2021. "Consumer Preferences for Locally Produced Beef." WRDC Research Brief.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Albrecht, Don, Marion Bentley, Tom Harris, Roger Coupal, and Riana Gayle. 2020. "Vulnerable Industries and Employment in U.S. Counties." WRDC, COVID-19 Series.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Coupal, Roger, Tom Harris, Marion Bentley, and Don Albrecht. 2020. "Economic Impacts of COVID-19 Recovery: Thinking Through Growth, Decline and Rebound Logic." WRDC, COVID-19 Series.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Albrecht, Don, Marion Bentley, Tom Harris and Roger Coupal. 2020. "COVID-19 and Economic Opportunities for Rural America." Rural Connections, Fall/Winter.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Spangler, Kaitlyn, Riana Gayle, and Don Albrecht. 2020. "Balancing Environmental and Economic Priorities in Rural Western U.S. Communities." WRDC ASAP Research Series.