Recipient Organization
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
240 FRENCH ADMINISTRATION BLDG
PULLMAN,WA 99164-0001
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The Western Extension Risk Management Education Center at Washington State University has a 23-year record of superior performance in administering the ARME (ERME) program to deliver risk management education to agricultural producers. The Western Center will provide leadership in projects and activities to create environments that support learning, collaboration, and partnerships to develop and deliver programs that improve agricultural producers' ability to manage risk and improve their economic viability. Our plan of work is in alignment with USDA's strategic goals by strengthening the farm safety net through outcome-based programs that ensures America's agricultural system is equitable, resilient and prosperous. The Western Center at WSU is leading several projects developing climate smart agricultural solutions. We are committed to a philosophy of continuous improvement and engagement to support ERME and USDA/ARME strategic objectives. Our proposed plan of work will enhance reporting metrics using a Performance Measure/Theory of Change Construct to demonstrate the economic and public value impacts of our programs. The Western Center at WSU has developed significant capacity to deliver risk management programs with regional, multi-regional and national impacts. Our partnership network and communication plan has established expertise, resources, and programs necessary for serving a diverse audience of producers and that is critical to serving the needs of special emphasis audiences in particular. We are committed with our plan of work to help all producers improve their economic viability for long reaching economic, social and environmental impacts for rural, urbanand other emerging and underserved communities.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Goal Statement: Agricultural producers improve their economic viability by participating in the risk management programs we provide. Improving producer economic viability supports rural communities, improves family income and provides economic opportunities for rural and underserved populations.Specific Program Aims and Objectives: (Integrated into our plan of work for each of the three years.)Administer the ARME Competitive Grants Program in accordance with the ERME Operations Handbook for efficiency of operations and compliance with the objective of continued improvement in documented producer outcomes and strengthening program capacity through feed-back from our ERME clientele, Advisory Council and other stakeholders.Provide leadership and work collaboratively with the other ERME Centers to enhance and deliver the ARME Competitive Grant Program. This includes following the protocols outlined in the NIFA approved ERME Handbook for 1) how our Center Advisory Councils select proposals for funding and contribute to RFA development. We will have RMA representation on our Advisory Council who will provide direct input on Center activities and review of proposals. Leverage agricultural producers' improved risk management outcomes as a result of the education programs we fund and deliver to support USDA/NIFA's strategic goals that ensures America's agricultural system is equitable, resilient and prosperous. This will be demonstrated through producer adoption of new technologies; implementation of innovative production practices and effective use of policies and programs that enhance producer profitability thereby strengthening the farm safety net.Lead and participate in multi-regional risk management education efforts such as the ERME National Conference, Ag Marketing Summit, WAEA and AAEA, the Intertribal Agricultural Conference and other conferences using both virtual and in person sessions (See Communication Section). The Center helps to facilitate and organize the Extension tracks for both WAEA and AAEA's annual meetings; as well as to coordinate ag tours educating participants on the diversity of agricultural systems.Expand our digital footprint for outreach to our WERMEC clientele and stakeholder partners and where appropriate, in collaboration with the other ERME Centers to build the capacity of our ag educator network.Leverage Western Center expertise and networks to provide risk management education and outreach, through multi-state projects, invited presentations and curriculum development.Continue to work with and support the Western Extension Committee (WEC) of farm management and marketing specialists to respond to emerging and ongoing risk issues in the Western region and nationally. This will include responding to special emphasis areas as identified by Congress. In addition to WEC, key partners in this endeavor will include WAEA and AAEA.Provide leadership on project evaluation and performance measures by working directly with western region funded projects and collaboratively with the ERME Centers to ensure compliance with performance targets. Build upon current/ongoing efforts to increase risk management capacity for producers with limited exposure to risk management concepts, tools and strategies by: 1) supporting applicant organizations and funded projects serving communities of producers who fall within the five special emphasis categories including American Indian and Hispanic producers prevalent throughout the West.
Project Methods
Our funded projects will deliver science-based knowledge to producers through formal or informal educational programs that include workshops, classroom instruction; and with a mix of virtual and in-person learning. Innovative training methodologies which include distance learning, on farm practicums and experiential learning are designed to enhance workshops and classroom instruction. Each of our competitively funded ERME projects is required to identify how they will measure each of the producer actions of Understand, Develop and Implement for each proposed result/outcome that is listed. Evaluation responses will determine changes in knowledge, actions, or conditions of the target audience.The ERME online reporting verification system (RVS) includes an Outcome Analysis module designed for projects to directly upload their evaluation data as part of their online report. This will allow each Center to analyze results evaluation methods. This structured compilation and housing of data will provide reliable indicators and evidence of producers' (target audience) risk management achievements and ability for long term change. Additionally, milestone impacts and other economic indicators of success will be demonstrated through producer success stories as part of each project's evaluation plan.