Outcomes & Impact Quarterly Summer Issue 2025

Welcome to the latest edition of the USU Extension Impact Newsletter. In this issue, we spotlight the power of community and innovation across Utah. Discover how citizen science is shaping local research, explore resources for farm and ranch succession planning, learn how we're preparing tomorrow’s workforce for climate change adaptation, and dive into a needs assessment across three Utah counties that’s guiding future Extension efforts.

Let’s grow together—one insight at a time.

Sincerely,

Kenneth L. White
Senior Vice President of Statewide Enterprise
USU Extension and Statewide Campuses

In This Issue

Evolution of the USU Extension Farm and Ranch Succession Program

Jacob A. Hadfield, Joshua Dallin, and Ryan Larsen

The Utah State University (USU) Extension Farm and Ranch Succession Program addresses the critical challenge of farm and ranch succession planning in Utah. Aging producers (with an average age of 57 in 2024) face complex family dynamics and external pressures such as low commodity prices, drought, and urbanization. These factors make succession—a sensitive and complicated process—essential for sustaining agricultural operations long-term.

Recognizing this need, USU Extension launched the Farm and Ranch Succession Program in 2018 with a multidisciplinary team to provide education and guidance on business succession concepts tailored to agricultural producers.

Initially adopting a North Dakota State University curriculum, the program evolved by condensing its workshop format from three, three-hour evening sessions to two shorter sessions, improving accessibility and attendance.

The program’s success has fostered regional collaboration, notably with the University of Idaho, enhancing succession training efforts beyond Utah. Looking ahead, USU Extension is partnering with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food to integrate conservation easement education into workshops, helping producers preserve farmland amid development pressures. This expansion aims to equip agricultural communities statewide with resources to ensure sustainable transitions and continued agricultural viability despite ongoing economic and environmental challenges.

Farm and Ranch Succession Program

• 12 workshops (1 online)
• 120,000 acres of land impacted in Utah
• 8 counties served
• >117 producers reached
• >$345 million in agricultural assets influenced

Survey results showed:

• Participants feel succession planning and preparing the next generation are important.
• Significant gains in knowledge about engaging professionals.
• Participants would:
• Apply learned tools
• Discuss succession with families
• Develop long-term visions

The Untapped Power of Citizen Science

Wesley Crump, Elizabeth Cohen, Shital Poudyal

USU Extension aims to improve community well-being by promoting research-based practices, but residents often face challenges adopting these practices. There is a need to engage the public more effectively in locally relevant scientific research to increase adoption and impact.

Citizen science—also known as participatory or community science—is proposed as a powerful method to overcome this barrier by involving the public directly in the scientific process. By engaging residents in locally relevant research projects, citizen science increases awareness, interest, and ownership of scientific findings, which can lead to adoption of best practices that can increase overall well-being. USU Extension already runs several citizen science initiatives such as Utah Water Watch and the Wasatch Back Fruit Tree Project, but has the potential to expand these efforts statewide. To explore public attitudes, a survey was conducted.

The survey reveals a largely untapped opportunity for USU Extension to deepen its relationship with Utah residents through citizen science. Engaging the public in meaningful, relevant research fosters greater investment in adopting research-backed practices, ultimately improving individual and community well-being. Additionally, the economic value of volunteer time in Utah—estimated at $34.45 per hour—suggests that expanding citizen science projects could provide significant resource benefits. By leveraging citizen science, USU Extension can enhance public education, strengthen community ties, and promote solutions that are tailored to local needs.

Survey Results

410 Utah adults across 21 counties indicated:

• 6% had previously participated in citizen science.
• 40% expressed willingness to participate in future projects.
• 48% may be willing to participate in future projects.
• 52% were ready to commit more than three hours per year.

Topics of greatest interest:

• Mental health
• Gardening
• Physical health

An Agricultural Needs Assessment in the Tri-County Area of Utah

Cheyenne Reid, Lendel Narine, Brooke Holgate

Agriculture plays a central role in the economy of Uintah, Duchesne, and Daggett counties, with over 3,700 producers operating nearly 2,000 farms. However, local farmers and ranchers face critical challenges, particularly in profitability, business development, and land use. Many producers are navigating essential issues without adequate educational support.

To better serve these communities, Utah State University Extension implemented a three-phase needs assessment process. The survey, distributed through contact lists, community events, and social media, gathered input from 38 producers across the region. It was designed using the Ranked Discrepancy Score to compare the importance of agricultural issues with the producers’ access to relevant information. The findings provided a detailed view of priority topics and where educational gaps exist. Notably, women producers ranked business development, land use, and drought management among their top concerns, showing gender-specific educational needs.

The assessment results offer clear guidance for future Extension programming. The high discrepancy scores indicate that targeted educational initiatives are urgently needed in farm profitability, business development, and water/resource management. These insights enable USU Extension to develop focused, data-driven programming tailored to the Tri-County area’s most pressing needs. By addressing these gaps, Extension can enhance the profitability, sustainability, and resilience of local farms and ranches. Moving forward, gender-specific needs and preferences will also inform programming strategies, ensuring all producers—regardless of experience level or gender—receive the support needed to thrive in Utah’s agricultural landscape.

2023 needs assessment revealed

• 84% of respondents identified farm/ranch profitability as very important, but
• 37% reported lacking access to information in this area.

Similar trends were found for business development and land use.

The Climate Adaptation Intern Program

Scott Hotaling & Kendall Becker

The Climate Adaptation Intern Program (CAIP), launched in Spring 2024, engages undergraduate students by paying them to work closely with experts and faculty at USU Extension to develop climate adaptation resources tailored to Utah’s needs. Each semester, about 20 interns participate in this cohort-style training program, dedicating around 5.5 hours per week over 14 weeks to create fact sheets, lesson plans, and other materials that address climate mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency. These students receive training in climate science, research methods, and communication skills while connecting with professionals and gaining career-relevant experience. Interns also receive broad exposure to USU Extension and potential career opportunities.

The program was created to tackle pressing climate challenges in Utah, where warming of nearly 2°F since 1979 has led to a 16% decline in peak annual snowpack—critical for the water supply—and threatens the availability and quality of clean water and air. This environmental stress, combined with growing demand for energy- and climate-related jobs nationally, underscores the need both for accessible climate information and a prepared workforce.

CAIP addresses these issues by producing timely, relevant resources for Utah’s leaders, agencies, businesses, and residents, while simultaneously training a new generation of climate-savvy professionals.Evaluations show significant improvements in interns’ knowledge and communication abilities, with positive effects lasting beyond program completion. Some alumni have advanced to prestigious opportunities, such as a congressional internship focused on energy policy. Initially funded by USDA and USU grants, CAIP is expanding through partnerships with entities like the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter, ensuring ongoing support for Utah’s climate resilience and workforce development.

CAIP by the numbers:

• 9 fact sheets
• 1 lesson plan
• >1,200 downloads (600 in Utah)

Included in Utah’s 2025 Wildlife Action Plan