Summary of University Extension, Engagement and Economic Development Seed Grant Outcomes 2006-2007
Report prepared November 2007
I. Background
The seed grant program aims to encourage faculty, EPA professionals, and students to develop strategies that address critical needs of North Carolina citizens, communities, schools, businesses, industries, and governments. The University Standing Committee on Extension, Engagement and Economic Development manages the award process annually. In 2006-2007, a total of $155,174 was awarded in support of 16 proposals via the University Extension, Engagement, and Economic Development Seed Grant Program. Grant winners represented 6 of the University’s 10 colleges, as well as the Cooperative Extension Service, Undergraduate Academic Programs, and the Provost’s Office. Funding for the awards was contributed from the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Cooperative Extension, McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education, and the Industrial Extension Service. Additionally, this was the first year that a 50% match was required from either internal or external sources; external sources could be in-kind or cash match, and internal sources were to be 25% cash match and 25% in-kind match. The following information summarizes the impacts of the 2006-2007 seed grants, as reported by 13 of the 16 the Principal Investigators (two projects are under extension at the time of this report, and one project was not conducted).
II. Project Statistics a. Objectives and Outcomes Seed grants funds supported a variety of activities, including: Creation of strategic plans to advance objectives of communities and organizations (4) Delivery of K-12 curricular and co-curricular interventions (3) Workshop or program design/piloting (2) Creation or update of mobile demonstration units and projects (2) Information distribution via print, electronic or other media (2)
In general, PIs reported that their objectives were met. Eight of the PIs reported on their evaluation measures, which were generally participant surveys to gain general feedback or pre- and post-intervention knowledge gains. A small number of PIs mentioned ways that the seed funds contributed to scholarly objectives. For example, Dr. Mari Chinn’s project on the
conversion of sweet sorghum juice to bioethanol generated a research paper, and four other related presentations and papers are under development.
b. Internal and External Collaborators The 13 reporting PIs reported extensive internal and external collaboration in order to accomplish their objectives. External collaborators ranged from local and state government and community agencies to national interest and advocacy groups to private industry. Program participants ranged from K-12 students to their parents, from national business and industry leaders to local community citizens. In total, the projects reached over 2,100 K-12 students and over 1,400 community members and workshop participants. Some of the collaborative efforts in these projects are particularly noteworthy. Dr. Andrew Behnke developed a community-wide event to share health and safety information with Latinos in rural Western North Carolina. The event will take place again next year, and the number of community collaborators has increased from 32 in 2006-2007 to 142 in 2007-2008. Dr. Christine Grant’s faculty-student mentoring summit for underrepresented minority girls and their mothers utilized 76 volunteers and faculty from engineering schools across the country. Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton’s project to advance the organic grain industry in North Carolina comprehensively connected individual farmers to buyers, seed cleaning companies, crop consultants, county agents, and a number of other partners in the industry. Dr. David Tarpy tapped into the Cooperative Extension Service network of over 100 agents to distribute publications, press releases, CD ROMs and other publication materials regarding the Africanized “Killer” Honey Bee in North Carolina.
c. Student Involvement Nine of the 13 reporting PIs involved undergraduate and graduate students in their projects. Students were involved in a variety of tasks, including the conduct of research, development of strategic plans and model prototypes, K12 student mentoring, production of DVDs, websites, print and other media materials, and workshop planning, assistance and facilitation. In three of these projects, students were involved in the projects through formalized forcredit course offerings. Some PIs noted instances where students have taken the initiative to further advance the goals of the project. For example, Dr. John Begeny noted that two undergraduate student researchers are now applying the reading development practices they learned in this project with their own audiences of K-12 and adult learners. Graduate students working on the organic grain
industry project with Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton have begun their own related lines of inquiry and have applied for grants to support their research.
d. Funding and Sustainability Three of the 13 reporting PIs indicate that they have already received over $470,000 total from other sources to continue work related to their projects. Six of the 13 PIs reported either having applied or planning to apply for additional funds through organizations such as NIOSH, the Foundation for Child Development, NSF, US DOE, Golden Leaf, Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education Program, and North Carolina Soybean Producers. Only one PI indicated using funds to hire a grantwriter who identified and sought funds and submitted proposals for project sustainability. Two PIs immediately leveraged the EEED seed grant to enhance their projects. For example, Dr. Rob Richardson received $7,600 from the Division of Forest Resources to develop a scouting guide that would be distributed during the short course on invasive plant biology and management developed through the EEED funds. His project was notably the only one to result in a self-supporting annual offering through the use of registration and sponsorship fees. Few PIs specifically noted in-kind support. Dr. Christine Grant was especially effective at receiving in-kind support for her mentoring summit from seven partners, two of which (Alcoa and Tommy Hilfiger) are interested in increasing their support for future summits.
e. Optional Feedback Five PIs received publicity for their projects; these venues ranged from college newsletters to NC based magazines to local news, radio and television outlets.