Progress 04/15/06 to 04/14/08
Outputs
Community-based research projects were implemented in Ireland in 2006 and 2007. Students' research focused on best practices for cultural economic development at community-based museums, evaluating the potential of environmental education programs, and assessing resources available for community and economic development to communities in County Mayo. The first study tour from Michigan to Ireland in 2006 included visits to 17 communities in southwest Mayo. The study tour involved 20 presentations, 7 farm or business visits, 6 meals with visitors or reflection sessions, and 2 community (open to public) events. Participants were 4 MSU Extension professionals, 4 MI community members, and 1 MSU faculty member. The second study tour from Ireland to Michigan, held in 2007, included visits to 12 communities in northwest, northeast, and mid-Michigan. The study tour involved 22 presentations, 10 farm or business visits, 7 meals with visitors or reflection sessions, and 7 community (open to the public) events. Participants were 5 Irish community members, 1 Irish extension professional, 2 MSU faculty members, and 1 additional Irish nonprofit leader paid for by her organization. The third study tour from Michigan to Ireland, in 2007, included visits to 20 communities throughout southwest Co. Mayo and northern Co. Galway. The study tour involved 2 presentations, 5 farm or business visits, 7 meals with visitors or reflective sessions, and 1 community event. Participants were 3 MSU Extension professionals, 2 junior faculty, 3 community members, 1 MSU faculty member, and 1 additional MSU staff member paid for by her unit. The fourth study tour from Ireland to Michigan, held November 2-12, 2007, included 12 communities in southwest, west, and mid-Michigan. The study tour involved 18 presentations, 14 farm or business visits, and 5 meals with visitors or reflective sessions. Irish community members also guest lectured in 1 class and held a departmental brown bag in agricultural economics. Participants were 1 Irish extension professional, 4 Irish community members, 2 MSU faculty members, and 1 additional Irish nonprofit leader paid for by her organization. A faculty member from Western Michigan University joined us for 2 days, at his own cost. An international teleconference was held on March 10-11, 2007, with participants from community-based research projects, study tours to Michigan, and study tours to Ireland. 18 people participated (4 faculty, 2 MI community members, 1 extension, 1 student, 8 Irish community members, and 1 Irish extension professional). PRODUCTS: Participants in the first study tour wrote 8 case studies. They include: Tochar Valley Rural Community Network, Cogher Community Council's Bog Walk, Kiltimaugh IRD, County Mayo Entreprise Board, Clew Bay Archaeological Driving Trail, Mushroom Production in Co. Mayo, South Mayo Quality Lamb Producers Cooperative, and Tom Hennigan's Heritage Center. Participants in the second study tour wrote 5 case studies about agricultural or natural resource based community and economic development practices in Michigan. They include: Allen Street Community Center and Farmers Market, 4-H/Youth development, The Giving Tree CSA, Uncle John's Cider Mill, and the Lighthouse Keepers Program. Participants in the third study tour wrote 6 case studies about agricultural or natural resource based community and economic development practices in Co. Mayo, Ireland. They include: Mayo Abbey Organic Garden and Childcare Centre, Community Futures Planning Process, Burrishule Walk Development, Women's Enterprise Network, Connemarra Fine Foods, and Macra na Ferma (youth development programs). Participants in the fourth study tour wrote 5 case studies. They include: The Lubbers Family Farm, Farmer's Market's in Rural Michigan, The Starting Block, Pere Marquette Rail Trail, and Michigan Heritage River Trails. Project PIs wrote 2 case studies related to project activities. One focuses on engaged learning study tours; the other focuses on community-based research placements for students. Community-based research projects produced 5 reports. They include: 1) Developing the Museums of Mayo. Bridget Ferrigan. August 2007, 2) Educational Programme Development: Suggested Steps for Organizing Community-Based Learning. Kristen A. Pratt. May 2008, 3) Tourmekady Educational Programs: Exploring Habitats! Kristen A. Pratt. May 2008, 4) Developing Educational Programmes in the Tochar Valley Network Communities. Kristen A. Pratt. May 2008, and 5) Overview of Community and Economic Development Programmes in Co. Mayo. Kiana Miller. 2008. OUTCOMES: This grant has generated other outcomes, focused on improved international learning opportunities for students, greater promotions for rural entrepreneurs, and increased focus on value-added agricultural production and agri-tourism. First, a semester-long international community-based research opportunity for undergraduates and graduate students has been established with the Office of Study Abroad at Michigan State University. Future students will be able to participate in Community, Engagement, and Sustainability to earn credits focused on agricultural and natural resource based community and economic development in rural Ireland. Second, in Clinton County, MI, a study tour participant collaborated with MSU Extension professionals to organize a network of rural entrepreneurs to compile a list of regional assets. Nearly three quarters of the entrepreneurs who participated in the network wanted to improve the marketing and visibility of their rural business. A brochure and map, titled "Explore the Back Roads In And Around Clinton County," was developed, printed, and distributed as a way of highlighting 40 rural businesses and entrepreneurs. One active supporter of this marketing effort will make the brochure available to the 300,000 state park visitors in the County. Third, in Ireland, two study tour participants used their learnings to create materials on value-added agriculture and agritourism as forms of community and economic development for their respective organizations, LEADER and Teagasc. The main focus of both was the promotion of local foods and local food systems. LEADER prepared and promoted a brochure, titled A Taste of Mayo, advertising producers of high quality local foods in County Mayo. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The PIs disseminated project activities and outcomes at four conferences. The conference presentations include 1) From Community Development to Community Engagement and Engaged Learning: Enhancing Rural Community Economic Development Through MSU Ireland Study Exchanges. S.L. Dann, D. M. Doberneck, M. Lally & S. Loveridge. Poster at MSU Annual Extension Conference, East Lansing, MI. 2007. 2) Community Engagement in Rural Ireland: Lessons Learned. D. Doberneck. International Experiential Opportunities Using Pedagogy to Enhance Practice Conference. East Lansing, MI, April 4, 2008, 3) Community Development Gleanings from Ireland USDA Project on Internationalizing Science Education. D. M. Doberneck, S. L. Dann, and S. Loveridge. Presentation at MSU Annual Extension Conference, Detroit, MI. October 2008, and 4) Ready, Set, Engage! An evolving understanding of what readiness means. D. M. Doberneck, S. L. Dann, M. Lally, & S. Loveridge. National Outreach Scholarship Conference. Penn State University. October 2008. 96% of study tour participants shared what they learned on the study tours. They reached more than 500 individuals in a variety of ways, including one-on-one conversations, university classes in Michigan and in Ireland, newly organized study tours, staff at community and economic development agencies, boards of directors of non-profit community economic development organizations in Michigan and in Ireland, Extension professionals in Michigan and in Ireland, in community forums, chambers of commerce, and in detailed reports to community and economic development agencies. Students involved in community-based research disseminated their projects in Michigan and in Ireland. Presentations in Michigan were made in April 2008 (Miller & Pratt to 37 people total). A poster, Developing Place-Based Education Programs in Rural Ireland by Pratt hangs in the advising office for MSUs Lyman Briggs College (enrollment 1,800). Presentations in Ireland were made in May 2007 (Ferrigan to 25 people) and in April 2008 (Miller & Pratt to 53 people). Agricultural and natural resource based community economic development activities associated with this grant were disseminated in the popular media in Michigan and in Ireland. The Michigan newspaper articles include: Midland Daily News, Irish Group Inspired by Midland, November 9, 2007, Presque Isle County Advance, Ireland Study Group travels to PIC, April 19, 2007, Presque Isle County Advance, Three Presque Isle County Members Take MSU Study Tour in Ireland, December 21, 2006; and Alpena News, Trio Travel to Ireland for Fresh Ideas, November 24, 2006. The Irish media covered grant activities in these fora: Mayo News, Exchanging Ideas, June 20, 2007; Mayo News, US Students Working to Benefit Mayo Communities, May 22, 2007, Castlebar Community Radio, Study Tour to Michigan, Pauline McDermott, May 2007, Castlebar Community Radio, Study Tour to Ireland, Pauline McDermott, November 2006; and Mayo News, Mayo Abbey Builds Strong Links with Michigan State University, October 26, 2006. FUTURE INITIATIVES: This project has three future directions, international curriculum, continued dissemination, and additional study tours. First, the Community, Engagement, and Sustainability has been established as an international, community based research/engagement study abroad for MSU students. We expect that students will continue to enroll in this international learning opportunity. Second, the project PIs have three scholarly products under development, a Journal of Extension article, a Community Development Journal article, and an edited volume of cases students for academic audiences to use as teaching materials. Third, study tours are likely to take different forms, but continue. There is interest from Co. Mayo's LEADER Company to fund study tours for its community economic development professionals in MI. The PIs are exploring options with the MSU Alumni Association and with MSU's Institute for International Agriculture to serve as organizers of study tours for Michigan faculty and community leaders to continue to learn in Co. Mayo, Ireland.
Impacts
In spring 2008, a survey was documented the impact of the project on study tour participants. The findings include: 87% of study tour participants reported that changes in how they look at agricultural and natural resource based community and economic development. 74% reported that they have changed how they practice agricultural and natural resource based community and economic development. 52% reported to have followed-up with international connections with individuals or communities they met on the study tour. 37% have followed-up with international connections with farms or businesses opportunities since the study tour.
Publications
- Doberneck, D. M. 2009 Anticipated. Community Engagement in Rural Ireland. A Lecturers Perspective. Book chapter in Towards a New Scholarship: Service Learning and Engaged Universities in Ireland. ed Seamus Lillis. In press.
- Rural Community and Economic Development: Cases from Ireland and Michigan. S. Loveridge, D. M. Doberneck, and S. L. Dann. Eds. 2008 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. Mimeo.
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Progress 07/01/06 to 06/30/07
Outputs
During the second phase of this grant, we made significant progress in completing grant activities and improved the study tours each time based on formative evaluations from past study tour participants. We organized and hosted the 1st study tour from Ireland to Michigan in April 2007. We also organized the 2nd study tour from Michigan to Ireland over the late June early July 2007 time period. For these study tours, we leveraged non-grant funding to increase the number of participants on the study tours. We sent our first undergraduate on the semester-long, community-based research internship in rural Ireland, during June through August 2007. We also recruited two additional undergraduates for spring 2008. STUDY TOUR TO MICHIGAN: The 1st study tour from Ireland to Michigan, held from April 21 to May 1, 2007, included visits to twelve different communities in northwest, northeast, and mid-Michigan. The study tour involved twenty-two presentations, ten farm or business
visits; seven meals with visitors or reflections, and seven community (open to public) events. Six case studies about agricultural or natural resource based community and economic development practices in Michigan have been developed by study tour participants. They include: Allen Street Community Center and Farmers Market, The Power of We consortium, 4-H and youth development, The Giving Tree CSA, Uncle John's Cider Mill, and the Lighthouse Keepers Program. STUDY TOUR TO IRELAND: The 2nd study tour from Michigan to Ireland, held June 22 through July 3, 2007, included visits to: twenty different communities throughout the Tochar Valley, Co. Mayo, Ireland. The study tour involved twenty-two presentations, five farm or business tours, seven meals with visitors or reflections, and one community event. Nine case studies about agricultural or natural resource based community and economic development practices in Michigan are being developed by study tour participants. They include: Mayo
Abbey Organic Garden and Childcare Center, Community Futures Planning process in Islandeady, Burrishole walk development, the Women's Enterprise Network, Clar IRD's aging in place programs, Connemarra Fine Foods, Village Enhancement in Westport, Macra na Ferma, and youth entrepreneurship programs. SEMESTER-LONG COMMUNITY-BASED INTERNSHIP: The first undergraduate student has begun her semester-long, community-based research placement in County Mayo, with the Museums of Mayo Network. She will be examining the potential of community-based museums to draw local, Irish, and international tourists to rural areas to visit ecclesiastical, heritage, and agricultural sites. OVERALL: This project continues to be on schedule and on budget.
PRODUCTS: Six community and economic development practitioners visited Michigan for a 10-day study tour in April through the grant. A seventh rural community member accompanied them, paid for by a rural Irish nonprofit organization. Two MSU faculty members accompanied them. This study tour generated six case studies and some background writing for the final handbook. Evaluations of the study tour were also completed by study tour members. In addition, the 2nd study tour to Ireland began during this grant reporting period. Three MSU Extension staff members, two junior MSU faculty members, and three community leaders participated in this study tour. An eighth study tour member from MSU accompanied the group; her fees were paid by the Dean's Office, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, MSU. Eight additional case studies and evaluations are expected by July 30, 2007.
OUTCOMES: According to the post-study tour evaluations from the 1st study tour from Ireland to Michigan, on a scale of 1-5, the study tour participants gave the study tour a 4.8 out of 5.0 for significantly improved their understanding of the potential for U.S. farms, businesses, or communities to collaborate in the future, 100% of the participants said that the Study Tour exceeded their personal learning goals (highest ranking); and the participants gave the Study Tour a 4.8 out of 5 (5 being the highest ranking) on the study tour overall. Evaluations from the 2nd study tour from Michigan to Ireland will be submitted during the next reporting phase.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The PIs continue to develop a website of teaching and learning resources related to this grant initiative. In addition, members of the 1st study tour from Ireland to Michigan spoke about their experience on the Castlebar Community Radio on Tuesday, May 15, 2007. The program was rebroadcast three times that week in County Mayo. The 1st study tour from Ireland to Michigan received newspaper recognition in the Alpena News (a Michigan-based newspaper) reaching northeast Michigan. The PIs have submitted and received acceptance for a poster presentation at Michigan State University's annual Extension conference, where they will disseminate lessons learned and impacts of this study tours on October 9, 2007.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: The project's other grant activities are on schedule. The second study tour from Michigan to Ireland will be completed by July 3, 2007. The second study tour from Ireland to Michigan will be completed October 21 through November 1, 2007. The first student internship will be completed by August 16, 2007. The second and third student interns have been recruited and selected for a community-based internship from January to May 2007. The fourth and final student intern will be recruited during Fall 2007. Plans for the case studies to be finalized into an edited volume are underway. Conference planning for the dissemination conference is also underway. Finally, the PIs continue to explore potential partnerships both in Michigan and in Ireland to sustain exchanges of ideas about agricultural and natural resource based community and economic development and to increase the internationalization of undergraduate curricula.
Impacts
Participants from the 1st study tour from Michigan to Ireland helped to organize and host the 1st study tour from Ireland to Michigan. The participants from that study tour helped to organize and host the 2nd study tour from Michigan to Ireland. There is significant interest from the participants of the 2nd study tour from Michigan to Ireland to host the 2nd study tour from Ireland to Michigan in the fall 2007. Connections, personal, professional, and organizational, are forming between the community members, the Extension staff, and the faculty members from both countries. These deepening relationships are already and will impact agribusiness development, rural community development, and internationalized curriculum. For example, study tour participants from Michigan have been in contact with producers in Ireland about new markets for wood pellets and microbiotic butter. Two rural communities (Rogers City, MI and Claremorris, Ireland) are in the process of exploring
sister city/twinning as a way of supporting rural community development. One MSU professor is exchanging curriculum modules with an Irish faculty member from the University of Maynooth. Another MSU professor is exploring how to have Irish rural development professions as guest speakers in her fall MSU class using internet technology. There is considerable and growing interest among the study tour participants to continue to assist one another with agricultural-based community and economic development.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 04/15/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
During this first phase of our project, we have made significant progress in: designing, recruiting for, conducting and evaluating the first of four study tours; promoting and recruiting for the student experiences; and starting to monitor for long-term impacts from participants' international educational experiences. The first Study Tour from Michigan to Ireland included eight participants and one study tour coordinator from Michigan. The eight participants included four community members, three MSU Extension staff, and one MSU faculty member. The 10-day Study Tour schedule included twenty-eight presentations, seven farm or business visits, nine meals with discussions or group reflections, and four evening programs with local community members. Study Tour participants visited over twenty different communities in County Mayo in the rural west of Ireland: Mayo Abbey, Killaser, Swinford, Ballinrobe, Tourmekady, Aughagower, Brackloon, Balla, Murrisk, Westport, Mulranny,
Claremorris, Hollymount, Castlebar, Pontoon, Ceide Fields, Foxford, Partry, Clogher, Breaffy, Louisberg, Ballintubber, and Kiltimagh. Eight case studies about agricultural or natural resource based community and economic development practices in Ireland have been developed by Study Tour participants. They include: the Tochar Valley Rural Community Network, Clogher Loop Walks, Kiltimagh Integrated Rural Development Company Limited, Clew Bay Archaeological Trail and Tourist Amenities in Murrisk, the County Enterprise Board and Entrepreneurial Development, Mushroom Production throughout County Mayo, the Ballinrobe Lamb Producers Cooperative, and Tom Hennigan's Heritage House. We are now reviewing and editing these case studies for eventual inclusion in our final project publication. Plans for three additional study tours are underway. Seven individuals from west Ireland have been identified to travel to Michigan on the second study tour to occur in April 2007. Two scholarship winners
have been selected. An additional two scholarship awardees will be identified. This project is on schedule and on budget.
PRODUCTS: Four community leaders, three Extension staff, and one faculty member participated in the first ten-day Study Tour from Michigan to Ireland, October 22-November 1, 2006. Eight case studies of agricultural and natural resource based community and economic development from Ireland were developed. Evaluations from Study Tour participants were completed and collected.
OUTCOMES: One Study Tour participant extended his stay in County Mayo by two days to continue his learning about agricultural and natural resource based community and economic development in Ireland. According to the post Study Tour evaluation, 100% of the participants said the Study Tour significantly improved their understanding of the potential for U.S. farms, businesses, or communities to collaborate in the future (highest ranking). 100% of the participants said that the Study Tour exceeded their personal learning goals (highest ranking). 100% of the participants gave the Study Tour an excellent ranking (highest ranking).
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Dissemination activities include a Community Forum held in Rogers City, MI on December 15, 2006 for 35 community members, a newspaper article in The Western People (newspaper in County Mayo Ireland) on October 31, 2006, a radio show recording on Castlebar Radio (County Mayo Ireland) on October 25, 2006, and a newspaper article in The Alpena News (northern Michigan newspaper) on November 24, 2006. The PIs are developing a website to assist in the exchange of ideas between Michigan and Ireland and others interested in agricultural and natural resource based community and economic development.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: This project's other grant activities are on schedule. The first Study Tour from Ireland to Michigan will be held April 21 to May 1, 2007. The second Study Tour from Michigan to Ireland will be held June 22 to July 1, 2007. The first student scholarship will be for an extended study June to August 2007. The second Study Tour to from Ireland to Michigan will be held October 21 to November 1, 2007. The second student scholarship will support a student for January to June 2008. Two additional scholarships will be awarded in 2008. A dissemination conference will also be held that year. The PIs are exploring approaches for extending the project's activities past the grant period, including expanded tours in Michigan, alumni tours to Ireland through the MSU alumni association, and a 2008 extension sponsored study tour to rural Ireland.
Impacts
In addition to the Community Forum in Rogers City, other study tour participants have planned follow-up activities in their respective communities. For example, one community member, with the assistance of two other Study Tour participants, plans to organize an innovations and entrepreneurs network for rural business owners in her county. One MSU Extension educator intends to work more closely with the MSU Agricultural Product Center for business development in Michigan, and she is interested in developing businesses in proximity to local rails-to-trails projects. In addition, she is incorporating what she observed in Ireland about hospitality and rural life into her community meetings. She states, My work has always been about community and economic development although I didn't really recognize it. Another participant reports seeing opportunities for developing a lamp producer cooperative in northern Michigan, based on his international experience through this
project. Yet another participant plans to develop a driving trail connecting local sites of interest, much like the Clew Bay Archaeological Trail in County Mayo.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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