Evaluation and Perceived Impacts of the North-Central Region SARE Grants, 1988-2002

Evaluation of government-funded programs is essential to identify ways in which initial funding makes an impact and programs can improve. The purpose of this study was to understand the value of the North Central Region's Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education (SARE) grants operated through the US Department of Agriculture, from their inception through 2002. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, impacts were explored from the perspective of former grant recipients. Survey data were collected from 171 former SARE and 33 interviews conducted with grant recipients who represented three different grant "familiesw-researchers, producers and educators. Descriptive, comparative, and exploratory analyses were conducted to: (I) evaluate the cascade social, economic and environmental impacts of SARE funding, from inception through 2002; (2) explore ways in which the SARE experience influenced the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of past grant recipients; (3) understand participants' perception of a "successful" SARE project; (4) provide recommendations for strength-