Source: OKLAHOMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE submitted to
DEVELOPMENT OF A GRAPE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE FOR THE EXTENSION SYSTEM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0220176
Grant No.
2009-51181-06084
Project No.
OKLN-1005
Proposal No.
2009-02777
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
SCRI
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2009
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2012
Grant Year
2009
Project Director
Stafne, E. T.
Recipient Organization
OKLAHOMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
(N/A)
STILLWATER,OK 74078
Performing Department
Horticulture & Landscape Architecture
Non Technical Summary
Our objective is to establish a Grape Community of Practice (GCoP) that will develop a national science-based repository of grape production information for the eXtension system that is readily available to the community of interest to increase short-term success and improving long term productivity and profitability. Much of the information already exists in a variety of forms and locations, but an eXtension GCoP will collect, archive and organize existing information, and create new resources to facilitate effective content delivery. The proposed GCoP project will deliver research based information to clientele as a way of supplementing and improving upon the traditional cooperative extension service model. The current model is effective, but the online accessibility of a grape eXtension project will increase visibility of the service as a whole and reach new audiences previously unfamiliar with how cooperative extension operates and give the public access to a national group of experts in grape production. The GCoP will foster collaboration among institutions throughout the extension network by enhancing technological capabilities resulting in increased outreach, impact, and recognition. The initial foci would be to establish a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) database, an Ask the Expert protocol, and create information pages which would encompass questions pertaining to basic and advanced topics in viticulture. The GCoP will create a partnership of several land-grant institutions that currently provide viticulture information, but will now place repackaged and new information into the eXtension system. Individuals from several institutions have identified themselves as willing participants in this endeavor.      
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
9031130303010%
9031131303070%
9031132303010%
9031139303010%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
1131 - Wine grapes; 1130 - Table grapes; 1132 - Raisin grapes; 1139 - Grapes, general/other;

Field Of Science
3030 - Information and communication;
Goals / Objectives
The long term goals of this project are to fulfill the eXtension requirements for becoming a Community of Practice. These requirements include: Database of Frequently Asked Questions (minimum of 100) Established protocol for "Ask the Expert" answers Curriculum outline for content Information pages (minimum of 250) Interactive learning modules Events such as workshops Subject area content creation News The critical need of the grape community of interest is access to reliable, research-driven information. Access to diverse national expertise, comprehensive content and unique features (FAQs, AtE, etc.) not found on regional websites, would be the draw of this COP. Many producers seek knowledge from available on-line sources that may or may not be credible. Even though those in the general public with an agricultural background are aware of the Cooperative Extension Service and the information it provides, many outside of that circle are unaware of or do not have access to Cooperative Extension or its resources. Therefore, this critical need can be met through the creation of a GCoP to provide critical information through creative and accessible delivery methods. The initial meeting of the GCoP will generate the development of a list of FAQ and Ask the Expert topics. Regional and subject-specific content will be discussed and committees to participate will be initiated. These will be the short-term outcomes prior to the 2010 GCoP/NVEELC. The expected outcome is that a GCoP will contribute substantially to the long-term profitability of new and current grape producers through expedient access to proven methods and the most up-to-date research available on all aspects of viticulture and enology. Sustainability of grape production will be further impacted as the GCoP membership expands and integrates participation from not only viticulture experts, but those who are leaders in the fields of plant pathology, entomology, weed science, postharvest physiology, food safety, meteorology, soil science, and others. Sustainability of the GCoP will be a high priority as well. Important partnerships with universities, other educational institutions, and grape-related organizations will be explored. Sponsorships with chemical companies, state wine and grape organizations, nurseries, wholesale operations, and processors will be explored to raise funds for continuation and expansion of the GCoP. External grants funding will also be applied for to supplement efforts.
Project Methods
The Coordinating Committee will develop a draft curriculum outline for content that will be vetted by the full GCoP at the first joint GCoP/NVEEL conference. The draft curriculum will be completed before the 2010 meeting with review by the members of the proposed GCoP at the meeting. The database of FAQs will be created by the working group assigned to its development in cooperation with the Coordinating Committee during and following the GCoP/NVEELC. The initial listing of 100 questions will be peer-reviewed by the membership at large. A protocol for "Ask the Expert" (AtE) answers will be established by the Coordinating Committee prior to the 2010 GCoP/NVEELC and amended as necessary during the conference. A working group of specific subject areas will then be charged with following through with responses to questions and relay of those questions (if appropriate) to the FAQ working group for inclusion in the FAQ database. Already existing and new information pages (a minimum of 250) will be assembled by the Extension Associate once the information has been reviewed and approved by the working group and the Coordinating Committee. This process of peer-review will eliminate unnecessary duplication of effort and strengthen material content before release through the eXtension system. Because much of this content already exists on other state-based websites, transfer to the eXtension system should occur, at least in part, before the end of this proposal period. Interactive learning modules will be discussed and a working group formed to investigate implementation of modules and the content they will deliver. This will be a longer term objective with content outlines and framework beginning in the second year with actual development starting in year three. New modules will need to be created to cover appropriate material. Already existing concepts may need to be reworked in order to fit the eXtension model. GCoP members who have had experience in creating similar modules will have the task of making this available in conjunction with the Extension Associate and Coordinating Committee. Members will continue to be recruited and added as the GCoP develops. Each committee and working group will comprise national and regional teams that will follow through development of appropriate material for delivery of eXtension web content. The methodology of this is likely to be accomplished through a variety of communication avenues such as email, instant messaging, a GCoP Wiki, and telephone. These methods are not the only possibilities, and others may exist or come into being that will be just as useful in creating the GCoP for the eXtension system. Face-to-face meetings of the PD, Co-PDs, Collaborators, and proposed viticulture extension associate will be on an annual (or possibly more frequent) basis. A face-to-face meeting of the other representative members will be on an annual basis at the joint NVEEL and GCoP conference.

Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The eXtension grape community of practice (GCoP) was funded by a competitive grant through the USDA-NIFA-SCRI in 2009. The project began in late 2009 with 16 participants, but has grown to 89 viticulture specialists from 31 different states and Canada in 2011. To date, 250+ articles have been written (including 100+ translated into Spanish), more than 400 glossary terms added, 113 FAQs, and other creative content is in development. The project was launched publically at the Unified Grape and Wine Symposium in January 2011. We hold monthly conference calls as a group as well as committee calls to engage the membership on a regular basis. Dr. Lane Greer acts as coordinator of this project and I supervise her on a daily basis. The latest face-to-face conference was held in Geneva, NY in 2012. PARTICIPANTS: Eric Stafne (project director, Mississippi State University) Lane Greer (project coordinator, OSU) Kathleen Kelsey (professor, agricultural communications, OSU) Ed Hellman (professor, Texas A&M) R. Keith Striegler (professor, University of Missouri) TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is commercial grape growers. Other audiences include state, regional, national, and international researchers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Transfer of grant from Oklahoma State University to Mississippi State University. Co-PI R. Keith Striegler has left University of Missouri

Impacts
Final evaluation of the GCoP was conducted by Dr. Kathleen Kelsey in 2012. The overall project goal was to "fulfill the eXtension requirements for becoming a Community of Practice". The minimum requirements included creating the following elements of the eXtension.org/grapes website: Database of frequently asked questions (minimum of 100) Established protocol for "Ask an Expert" answers Curriculum outline for content Information pages (minimum of 250) Interactive learning modules Events such as workshops Subject area content creation News. Overall, the project accomplished the majority of stated goals, in some cases, exceeding expectations. In terms of scholarship outcomes, Grape CoP members were extremely productive. Members made 10 presentations between 2010 and 2012 regarding the eViticulture National Website and the Grape CoP. An additional eight presentations were delivered in 2012 regarding projects related to the Grape CoP such as the Northern Grapes Project. Five posters were presented between 2011 and 2012 regarding the Grape CoP, eViticulture, and The Vineyard Doctor. One workshop was held in 2012 and three national meetings were held between 2010 and 2012 for Grape CoP members to conference (National Viticulture and Enology Extension Leadership Conference/Grape Community of Practice). In addition, four refereed publications resulting from the evaluation research and Grape CoP activities were published. Seven abstracts were presented at various conferences. Two conference proceedings, one white paper, one magazine article, and 19 newsletters were distributed to the community of interest (COI) as well. Sixteen grant proposals were written to create and benefit from the synergy of the Grape CoP from 2008 to 2012. Of the 16 proposals submitted, eight grants were funded and eight proposals were rejected. Electronic media developed related to the Grape CoP included several websites, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Flikr accounts. One podcast was produced along with six webinars. Respondents of a survey conducted during 2011-2012 reported varying levels of knowledge gain from using the website, from 0% to 100%, the majority reporting between 0-70% gains. Likewise, respondents reported gaining from 10-100% efficiency in their grape production efforts by using resources from the website. Profitability was reported to have increased from 0 to 70% as a result of using the website. These results were confirmed as respondents checked other impacts of using the website such as increasing their knowledge, confidence, skills, and becoming more connected to fellow grape producers, the land-grant university, and generally feeling more empowered to be stronger growers. It was concluded that the website had an overall positive effect on the community of interest and as more users adopt the resources, its impact will multiply.

Publications

  • Kelsey, K.D. and E.T. Stafne. 2012. A model for evaluating eXtension communities of practice. J. Extension (in press).
  • Stafne, E.T., E. Hellman, R.K. Striegler, J.A. Wolpert, and J-M. Peltier. 2012. Industry involvement in the creation and funding of the eXtension Grape Community of Practice. HortTechnology (in press).
  • Kelsey, K.D., E.T. Stafne, and L. Greer. 2011. Land grant university employee perceptions of eXtension: A baseline descriptive study. J. Extension 49(6): Article 6FEA2, available at: http://www.joe.org/joe/2011december/a2.php.
  • Stafne, E. T. and K.D. Kelsey. 2011. Perceptions of land-grant university specialists regarding competition and collaboration with community college programs in viticulture and enology. HortTechnology, 21(6):789-796. Available: http://horttech.ashspublications.org/content/21/6/789.fullijkey=bVlH 1iTdUxhG7h0&keytype=ref
  • Stafne, E.T., E. Hellman, R.K. Striegler, K .Kelsey, L. Greer, and K. Ker. 2012. eViticulture: Online Educational Materials for Commercial Grape Growers Developed by the Grapes Community of Practice. January 2012. 8th International Cool Climate Symposium for Viticulture and Oenology. Hobart, Tasmania (http://www.winetasmania.com.au/files/Ker_poster_Grape_Cop.pdf).
  • Stafne, E.T., E. Hellman, R.K. Striegler, T. Martinson, B. Reisch, and J-M. Peltier. 2012. A Collaborative Research and Extension Outreach Model: the Grape Community of Practice. Amer. J. Enol. Viticul. (in press).
  • Stafne, E.T. 2012. Assessing Digital Scholarship in Extension. 2012. HortScience (in press).
  • Skinkis, P. A. (2011, March). eViticulture: New Viticulture & Enology Resources. Viticulture & Enology Technical newsletter. Oregon Wine Research Institute, Oregon State University. Available: http://owri.oregonstate.edu/sites/owri.oregonstate.edu/files/document s/31_vitenotechnwsltr-mar2011.pdf
  • Stafne, E.T. 2010. Lane Greer to coordinate Grape Community of Practice project. In: E.T. Stafne and W.G. McGlynn. (eds.). Le Vigneron vol. 5(2):2.
  • Stafne, E.T., L. Greer, E. Hellman, R.K. Striegler, and K. Kelsey. 2011. eViticulture.org: A National Grape Community of Practice. HortScience 46(9):S18 (abstr.).
  • Stafne, E.T. 2011. eXtension and Pecan Growers: A potential new learning environment. In: M. Smith (ed.). OPGA newsletter vol. LII no. 2:2-3.
  • Stafne, E.T. 2012. eViticulture: Educational Online Information for Grape Growers. In: S. Hamerski (ed.). The Notes from the North newsletter xx:xx (submitted).
  • Stafne, E.T., E. Hellman, R.K. Striegler, and K. Kelsey. 2010. Formation of an eXtension grape community of practice. HortScience 45:490 (abstr.).
  • Hellman, E. and F. Westover. 2011. The Grape Doctor A Vineyard Problem Diagnosis Tool. HortScience 46(9):S316. (Abstr.).
  • E.T. Stafne and L. Greer. 2012. eViticulture.org: An online resource for viticulture information. Proc. 31st Annu. Ark. Okla. Hort. Indust. Show 60.
  • Stone, A., E.T. Stafne, J. McQueen, J. Heemstra, D. Amaral-Phillips, N. Hummel, D. Francis, D. Treadwell, E. Hoover, and A. N. Azarenko. 2010. Recommendations for Enhancing NIFA/eXtension Partnerships. White Paper.
  • Walter-Peterson, H. 2012. eViticulture. The American Fruit Grower (in press).
  • Stafne, E.T. 2011. eViticulture.org social media. In: E.T. Stafne (ed.). Le Vigneron vol. 6(4):2.
  • Stafne, E.T. 2011. eViticulture.org is now live. In: E.T. Stafne (ed.). Le Vigneron vol. 6(2):2.
  • Stafne, E.T. 2011. Unified Grape and Wine Symposium. In: E.T. Stafne and W.G. McGlynn. (eds.). Le Vigneron vol. 6(1):11.
  • Bordelon, B. 2012. eViticulture. Facts for Fancy Fruit (Purdue Extension Newsletter for Fruit growers) Volume 12 Issue 3, April 25, 2012 (on-line http://www.hort.purdue.edu/fff/fff.shtml)
  • Martinson, T. 2012. Introducing the Northern Grapes Project. Northern Grapes News. 1(1): 1-2.
  • Particka, C. 2012. Managing Acidity in the Winery Kicks Off Northern Grapes Webinar Series. 1(1): 3.
  • Shoemaker, W. 2012. What are Northern Grapes Northern Grapes News. 1(2): 1-2.
  • Particka, C. 2012. Northern Grapes Project Launched at MGGAs Cold Climate Conference. Northern Grapes News. 1(2): 2.
  • Domoto, P. 2012. Vineyard Studies: Improving Management Practices for Northern Grapes. Northern Grapes News. 1(2): 4-6.
  • Cook, K. and C. Particka. 2012. NGP Team Profile: Katie Cook. Northern Grapes News. 1(2): 6-7.
  • Peltier, J.M. 2011. eViticulture: A National Resource for Viticulture Information. NGWI newsletter Summer 2011 (http://ngwi.org/files/documents/Summer%202011.pdf).
  • Peltier, J.M. 2010. USDA Funds Key NGWI-Sponsored SCRI Project. NGWI newsletter Winter 2010 (http://ngwi.org/files/documents/NGWI_Winter_2010.pdf).
  • Peltier, J.M. 2009. 2009 SCRI Update. NGWI newsletter Fall 2009 (http://ngwi.org/files/documents/Fall_2009.pdf).
  • Skinkis, P. A. (2011, July). eViticulture.org: A new source of viticulture information from land-grant universities. In OSU Viticulture & Enology Technical Newsletter. Oregon Wine Research Institute, Oregon State University. Available: http://owri.oregonstate.edu/sites/owri.oregonstate.edu/files/document s/32_vitenotechnwsltr-jul2011.pdf


Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The eXtension grape community of practice (GCoP) was funded by a competitive grant through the USDA-NIFA-SCRI in 2009. The project began in late 2009 with 16 participants, but has grown to 72 viticulture specialists from 30 different states and Canada in 2011. To date, 150+ articles have been written (including 100+ translated into Spanish), more than 400 glossary terms added, 113 FAQs, and other creative content is in development. The project was launched publically at the Unified Grape and Wine Symposium in January 2011. We hold monthly conference calls as a group as well as committee calls to engage the membership on a regular basis. Dr. Lane Greer acts as coordinator of this project and I supervise her on a daily basis. A face-to-face conference was held in St. Louis in 2011. PARTICIPANTS: Lane Greer (project coordinator, OSU) Kathleen Kelsey (professor, agricultural communications, OSU) Ed Hellman (professor, Texas A&M) R. Keith Striegler (professor, University of Missouri) TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is commercial grape growers. Other audiences include state, regional, national, and international researchers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Second year evaluation of the GCoP was conducted by Dr. Kathleen Kelsey. The Grape CoP has been successfully implemented, publically launched and has accomplished all stated objectives for year two. At the time of the survey, there were 64 members listed in the Grape CoP database; however, less than 30 are actively participate in contributing content. Thirty members responded to the survey. The majority of respondents are reviewing articles, FAQs, glossary terms, submitting photographs, and writing articles for the CoP. Assuming that the 34 members who did not respond to the survey are non-active members, of the 64 members, 47 are not active participants. The majority of members spend less than one hour per week developing content for the Grape CoP. Motivating People to Actively Participate in the CoP. Members are motivated by the collegial nature of the CoP. Other members are motivated by professional development and recognition and sharing the resource with clients. A lack of time was cited by 28 of the 30 respondents. Additional responses included it does not count toward tenure and promotion, it's not expected by administration, lack of incentive, and not knowing how to use the website interface. One-half of respondents suggested that one item per month would be adequate participation. Members preferred to review and write articles for the CoP. One-half preferred to serve as a question responder for ask an expert, nine preferred to develop FAQs and glossary terms. Seventeen of the 30 respondents desired recognition of their contributions by their college administration. Less than one-half of the respondents (13) answered the question regarding their plans to contribute to the development of interactive learning modules. Of those that answered, seven did not intend to initiate development of learning modules, inferring that 58 of the 64 members have no plans to contribute to learning modules. Less than one-half of the respondents (13) answered the question regarding their plans to develop a certificate program for growers using modules of instruction. Of these 13, seven had no plans, inferring that 58 of the 64 members have no plans to contribute to developing a certificate program for the Grape CoP. Two people had already developed modules and were willing to share their resources. Several people commented on existing certificate programs at community colleges, including VESTA. Less than one-half of the respondents (13) answered the question regarding their plans to develop a news forum. Of these 13, four had no plans and four expressed negative views toward a news forum, inferring that 59 of the 64 members have no plans to contribute to developing a news forum. Two people were positive about contributing to the forum. Ten people responded to other plans they have for contributing to the Grape CoP effort offering various resources already addressed in the findings. When asked if members had other concerns, nine people responded, reitterating previously expressed opinions. A customer satisfaction survey was developed and linked to both the Grape CoP eXtension website and the eViticulture website. No one has completed the survey to date.

Publications

  • Kelsey, K., E.T. Stafne, and L. Greer. 2011. Land-grant university employee perceptions of eXtension: A baseline descriptive study. J. Extension (in press).
  • Stafne, E.T., L. Greer, E. Hellman, R.K. Striegler, and K. Kelsey. 2011. eViticulture.org: A National Grape Community of Practice. HortScience (abstr.). (in press).
  • Stafne, E.T., E. Hellman, R.K. Striegler, and J-M. Peltier. 2011. Industry involvement in the creation and funding of the eXtension Grape Community of Practice. HortScience (abstr.). (in press).


Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The eXtension grape community of practice (GCoP) was funded by a competitive grant through the USDA-NIFA-SCRI in 2009. The project began in late 2009 with 16 participants, but has grown to more than 50 viticulture specialists from 24 different states in 2010. To date, over 90 articles have been written, more than 400 glossary terms added, 102 FAQs, and other creative content is in development. The project will be launched publically at the Unified Grape and Wine Symposium in January 2011. We hold monthly conference calls as a group as well as committee calls to engage the membership on a regular basis. Dr. Lane Greer was also hired at OSU to act as coordinator of this project and I supervise her on a daily basis. PARTICIPANTS: Lane Greer (project coordinator, OSU) Kathleen Kelsey (professor, agricultural communications, OSU) Ed Hellman (professor, Texas A&M) R. Keith Striegler (professor, University of Missouri) TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is commercial grape growers. Other audiences include state, regional, national, and international researchers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
First year evaluation of the GCoP was conducted by Dr. Kathleen Kelsey. In her report she indicated areas of achievement for the group: Grape CoP members have had good success with interactions. Monthly conference calls, individual team meetings, and weekly newsletters have been essential for creating a sense of community and fostering positive interactions. The Grape CoP is on track and has accomplished all goals for year one. The majority of CoP members have been productive and are committed to the project. Eighty-two percent (82%) of members feel that decisions are being made to advance the CoP. The majority of the CoP members felt the collaboration was creating a shared identity as a CoP focused on an area of concern. The Grape CoP appears to be working together at the collaborating level, working toward a common goal but maintaining separate resources and responsibilities, not fully integrated as partners with a shared vision, mission, and goals. Members see themselves as grape experts. Contributing to the Grape CoP is in line with members' professional values and practice. They see the Grape CoP as another tool for practicing Extension. Members joined the CoP to engage in a community of practice with other grape experts and desire what the CoP promised to offer (another way to practice Extension). Members are forward thinking and hopeful that the Grape CoP will create a one-stop shop for viticulture information, a sense of accomplishment, professional recognition, and region-specific information for grape growers. The aspirations of the Grape CoP have been realized. The project is well organized, well managed, and all goals for year one have been achieved. In the Story of the Grape CoP, the founding team envisioned a national repository for viticulture information. The Grape CoP has become a tangible product (http://cop.extension.org/wiki/Grapes), the infrastructure is in place to grow the repository, and a true community of practice has emerged for members to benefit from the CoP professionally.

Publications

  • Stafne, E.T., E. Hellman, R.K. Striegler, and K. Kelsey. 2010. Formation of an eXtension grape community of practice. HortScience 45:490 (abstr.).