What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to emphasize the importance of communicating Extension program impacts to stakeholders and funders.

May 28, 2026

Communicating Impacts

Key Points

The aim is to emphasize the importance of communicating Extension program impacts to stakeholders and funders.
Literature review on the communication of impacts to decision makers.
Identification of two reporting mechanisms: County Narrative Reports and Extension Accountability Reporting System (EARS).
Evaluation of the effectiveness of these reporting systems in increasing funding.
Implementation of County Narrative Reports and EARS has led to increased funding at the county and state level.
Positive feedback from county commissioners and legislators regarding the clarity of impacts shared.
Improved public awareness of Extension program contributions.

Abstract

This article addresses the need to share Extension program impacts with our constituencies and groups that fund our programs. The article reviews the literature surrounding the need for communicating impacts with decision makers. It also identifies two reporting mechanisms used in one state, County Narrative Reports and the Extension Accountability Reporting System (EARS), that are successfully working to share program impacts with county commissioners, legislators, and the general public. The success of these two reporting systems is based on level or increased funding we have received at the county and state level since the implementation of these two systems.

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