Evaluating an agriculture and natural resources leadership development program utilizing the CIPP model

The purpose of this study was to explore the utility of the Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) model to evaluate agriculture and natural resources (ANR) leadership development programs (LDP). We evaluated Washington AgForestry Leadership Program, one of over 50 similarly structured ANR LDPs around the world, and used the CIPP model to determine the extent to which the leadership program is meeting both the current and future needs and expectations of stakeholders. We found the CIPP model to be an appropriate and adequate evaluation framework that resulted in robust data collection and analysis, leading to meaningful recommendations for Washington AgForestry. Overall, stakeholders support the current content and structure of the program and find it to be fulfilling the stated mission. Simultaneously, areas for immediate improvement, future growth, and longevity were noted. We recommend that other ANR LDPs conduct robust program evaluations using the CIPP model. Applying a consistent evaluation process to similarly structured ANR LDPs would build a valuable knowledge base of outcomes, impacts, and potential needs of such programs. Minimally, programs should develop and implement regular formative and summative evaluations to better understand and document program outcomes and impacts. Program directors should utilize evaluation data to continually improve their programs.