Progress 01/01/22 to 12/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Contemporary food supply chains--optimized for high volume, low cost, and global reach--are not infallible [1]. Food deserts persist while substantial amounts of food go to waste [2-4]. Small enterprises lack market intelligence and market power to find and exploit opportunities. Technical and regulatory requirements restrict entry and participation [5]. Natural disasters and the current pandemic disrupt production and delivery [6]. Consumers are still sickened by contaminated [7] or improperly processed foods [8]. The targeted societal impact of the FRESCH ERC is to improve the nation's health [9] and prosperity by both avoiding or mitigating disruptions [10] and by exploiting opportunities to expand food variety and profitability [11]. An important aspect of the FRESCH ERC's work is to shift our thinking from linear "food supply chains" to flexible and resilient "food networks." Resilience within food networks means that whatever disruptions do occur have smaller negative impacts or greater positive ones. Investment in adaptive capacity within the food industry provide balance against the continuous drive for leaner (but more brittle) food systems, especially when "lean" is at odds with other sustainable development goals, such as increasing the incomes of food producers (within the United Nations' Goal 1 to end poverty) and ensuring decent work for all (Goal 8) [12, 13]. Resilience complements efficiency with effectiveness and equity. Our work supplements the existing values and organization around efficiency with values and organization of equity. Changes/Problems:The majority of limitations found within the study comes from the willingness of participants to answer questions in the Q-sort process. Researchers were limited to what information the participants were willing to share. Participants were encouraged in the initial instructions of the study to share their thought process and decisions. It was recorded by the researcher that female participants were more willing to converse and elaborate answers than male participants. Researchers were limited to the understanding of participants interpretations of Q-sort statements. Participants were invited to elaborate their decision making during the first portion of the sorting exercise, given the participants willingness determined if they were interested in elaborating their decisions. An additional limitation may be that data collection and analysis were dependent on the willingness of individuals to participate in the study. Participants were contacted via email, some were inactive accounts, while others neither proclaimed their interest and disinterest in the study. Participants were required to provide a "Yes" response, and then schedule a meeting within the researchers to meet via Zoom call to complete the interview. This came as a difficulty for some due to busy schedules, growing/harvesting season, etc. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The opportunities for training and professional development should be focused around the priorities identified through this analysis. The primary focus of financial accessibility, local engagement, communication information, informed consumers, labor and consciouness of impacts at local, regional, and national levels. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?There are plans to share the results of this project within the community of extension and through the Journal of Extension. In both cases the outcomes and priorities will be the focus of the communication. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The overall research question for this study was to define what areas of focus are preferred among individuals within the food supply system when determining the priorities of creating resiliency and mitigating disruptions. The conclusion to the research question was interpreted through the Q-sort data analysis, participant demographics, research field notes, and reflective journal. Participant's experiences and backgrounds in the food supply system guided their interpretation of statements and priorities they indicated through their individual Q-sorts. The backgrounds of participants represent various sectors of the food supply system as stakeholders, researchers, educational representatives, and government representatives. Sharing the experiences and background of participants aids in the interpretation of factors as each perspective comes from those actively involved in different sectors and segments of the food supply system. The viewpoints identified by participant prioritization were described by researchers as financial accessibility, local engagement, communication information, inform consumers, labor, and consciousness of impact. The similarity within these factors is found between consensus in government/policies in the food system, and participation in the food system. These factors represent the areas of focus that participants within the operating food system believe to be of highest importance when it comes to creating resiliency and mitigating disruptions.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2023 Citation: Adams, K., Robinson, C., and Norris-Parish, S. Understanding participant's inputs: appreciative inquiry and community capitals summit, New Mexico State University, 2023

Progress 01/01/22 to 12/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience included participants within the food supply chain including producers, processors, manufacturers, transportation, warehousing,retailers and food service. In total we had 55 registered for the three day meeting with 35 participating for the length of the event. Changes/Problems:Due to the schedule change from January to June due to COVID issues, we have also extended the timeline for the project to allow for enough time to adaquetly design and develop a useful website and complete the follow-up process with participants. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Summit facilitators utilizied the Appreciative Inquiryplatform, along with Community Capitals discussion to train and identify strengths and gaps within the food system.These two platforms provided structure and direction for the participants to understand the issues and how to move them forward. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This next reporting period we will have the results of the website development, interaction and follow-up with participants, as well as updates on projects from the sub-groups.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Summit had established three operational goals/objectives. The group of participants was successful at identifying knowledge gaps or missunderstandings. They identified and discussed priorities for industry agencies, organizations and educational group. Within the group, subgroups were organized to address a specific, managable project to move forward. These individuals all requested additional time and follow-up opportuntities with the full group.These networks that were established will provide access throughout the food system. Each of the sub-groups continue to meet after the Summit and have started to explore funding opportunities.

Publications