2007 R&E Project Assessment Results Volume I: Project grantees

In 2006 and 2007, Western SARE conducted a retrospective evaluation of its Research and Education (R&E) grants program. Washington State University’s Social and Economic Survey Research Center (SESRC) conducted the survey research component of the evaluation. 

Full Report

Here are a few highlights from the reports:

• The surveyed projects had high levels of farmer and extension involvement.
• Western SARE R&E projects led to further education and funding opportunities in advancing sustainable agriculture systems and practices.
• Three quarters of farmer or rancher cooperators in SARE R&E projects found the information gained from the SARE project useful, and just over half of them used what they had learned on their farm.
• Market recognition of their farm’s products increased for almost of farmers and ranchers who responded to the survey.

The farmer survey result reports describe changes in farming operations like fertilizer and pesticide use, net income and the like. While the survey response rate was relatively high, responses to individual questions were variable enough that we caution against making sweeping generalizations based on this data. The results are self-explanatory except for one item.

First, there were some discrepancies in the results between farmers and ranchers involved in R&E project and the project Principle Investigators (PIs). For example, producers had somewhat different perceptions of the levels of their involvement than project PIs – farmers reported less involvement in SARE R&E than Project PIs reported. This could be a matter of differing definitions or memories. It could merely be that farmers responding to the survey were not involved in the same projects as the Project PIs who responded. For further explanations of these differences, read pages 61 and 62 of the Farmer and Rancher Project Participants report.

 If you have any questions about the survey reports, contact