Needs assessments are essential to ensure that agricultural outreach and programming respond directly to local agricultural production needs. By understanding the precise gaps between what Extension and education professionals believe should be addressed (the “should”) and what is currently being addressed (the “current”), resources and policies can be developed and directed more strategically. Sustainable agriculture, in particular, requires a strong focus on local contexts. Strategies that work in one state or region may not translate seamlessly into another, underscoring the value of targeted, data-driven needs assessments. I'm excited the share the findings from a needs assessment I conducted with several amazing collaborators specifically focused on sustainable agricultural production in the Western United States.

Key Findings
Smallest Gaps: Key areas like pesticide safety, livestock production, food safety, food preservation, and crop production appear well-served by current resources. This suggests that while these topics remain important, there may be less need for new program development in these areas. Instead, strategic reinvestment and continued communication of existing initiatives may effectively sustain engagement.
Largest Gaps: Identified gaps included financial disparity, food waste, and engaging with policy makers or decision makers. These gaps imply systemic challenges, underscoring the need for programmatic efforts that address broader context considerations, not just purely technical solutions.
Barrier Priorities: Risk (economic and operational), finances (cost of inputs and practice changes), and time (to experiment or learn) stood out as the primary barriers limiting producer adoption of sustainable agricultural methods. These constraints emphasize that practical realities—like upfront costs and learning curves—are just as important as foundational knowledge.
Practical Use
Resource Allocation: Direct programmatic funding and administrative support toward bridging the largest gaps. For example, new or revised grants, sponsored workshops, and partnerships with financial institutions or local governments may help address challenges such as policy connections.
Tailored Extension Efforts: Develop outreach and education activities that demonstrate concrete ways to mitigate perceived risks and ease the burdens of time investment. Sharing clear success stories from producers who have integrated sustainable practices—especially those operating within similar local contexts—can help others feel more confident in the potential of these methods.
Longitudinal Tracking: Conduct ongoing needs assessments to monitor how these gaps shift over time. By routinely collecting data, Extension and education professionals can refine initiatives, explore emerging concerns, and ensure that program offerings continue to align with actual producer needs as new challenges arise.
These findings highlight how local needs assessments can ensure more effective sustainable agriculture programs. By addressing both technical and contextual challenges, Extension and education professionals can develop solutions tailored to local needs. Please be sure to share your insights using the comments below. I've also included the full manuscript if you would like to learn more.
Lamm, A. J., Lamm, K. W., Trojan, S., Sanders, C. E., Byrd, A. R., (2023). A needs assessment to inform research and outreach efforts for sustainable agricultural practices and food production in the Western United States. Foods, 12(8), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12081630
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