SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Basic Information
Additional Info

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Project No. and Title: NCERA215 : Contribution of 4-H Participation to the Development of Social Capital Within Communities
Period Covered: 06/01/2020 to 05/31/2021
Date of Report: 08/23/2020
Annual Meeting Dates: 06/01/2021 to 06/02/2021

Anderson, Chris (canders2@umd.edu) - University of Maryland; Baker, Barbara (barbara.baker@maine.edu) - University of Maine/Retired; Calvert, Matt (matthew.calvert@wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin; Emery, Mary* (mary.emery@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University; Fields, Nia* (nfields@umd.edu) - University of Maryland; Henness, Steve* (hennesss@missouri.edu) - University of Missouri; Kantor, Debra (debra.kantor@maine.edu) - University of Maine; Klemme, Neil* (neil.klemme@wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin; Lonning, Jacquie* (jlonning@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota; Nathaniel, Keith (kcnathaniel@ucanr.edu) - University of California; Scott, Denis (denis.scott@mail.wvu.edu) - West Virginia University;

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Monutes from the June 1-2, 2021 annual meeting are attached.

Attached file:

2021-Annual-Meeting-Agenda-&-Minutes.pdf

Accomplishments

Currently, our team consists of researchers from 9 states: California, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin. We have several projects in progress that involve assortments of the team, and some projects that involve all team members. Individuals from additional states have had periodic attendance, and we regularly receive inquiries from individuals interested in attending after we present at conferences and other events.

Short term outcomes

We facilitate monthly meetings of our group in an effort to build relationships among team members, broaden our understanding of social capital, and to work on our project deliverables. In an effort to expand the reach and membership of our team, we’ve developed a form to capture interest following presentations and nearly 20 individuals have indicated interest in joining our project. Each month, a current member or guest presents their work related to social capital. These presentations have highlighted best practices and/or introduced new research methods to incorporate into our projects. Topics have included: Using Social Network Analysis, 1619 Project use in Iowa for addressing social inequities, and how social capital connects to the 4-H Thrive Model.

Our team developed a research project and submitted it for funding through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program of USDA/NIFA. Notification of status is still pending, however, we anticipate carrying out parts of the proposed study regardless of funding. The research project would be conducted in rural areas of Wisconsin, West Virginia, South Dakota, and Minnesota to build an evidence and practice base for program approaches that strengthen social capital and social networks. This project would provide further evidence of the impact of activities in our toolkits.

We are nearing completion of our second toolkit that will provide Extension professionals and volunteers with resources to implement high-quality programming that builds social capital for youth. The toolkit includes an integrated community and youth development approach which considers current research related to social capital and the overlap of youth development and community development approaches to building thriving, and vibrant communities.

Outputs

A new website to share and promote our team’s work - https://4-h.socialcapital.extension.org
Nearing completion of a second toolkit: Building Social Capital on Purpose: A Toolkit for Youth and Community Development Professionals
A grant application pending: Spiraling up: Integrating youth and community development to build resilient communities
Various presentations and invited speaking engagements (see attached list)
Various presentations and workshops for youth, professionals, and policymakers (see attached list)

Activities

Data collection through a quantitative social capital survey that assesses social capital stocks to determine the level of social capital, both at the individual level and in the community has been ongoing for several years. Collection was paused this year due to the resounding impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are attempting to re-route the IRB approval to collect data virtually.

Milestones

The completion of our second toolkit was delayed due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our member’s availability, as well as some staff transitions. Additionally, data collection in our ongoing study was paused as in-person 4-H programming was moved to virtual experiences. We are anticipating receiving IRB approval to collect data virtually in the future.

Impacts

Much of the anticipated activities of this team’s work was paused and/or delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on in-person programming. Many local 4-H programs paused and/or moved programming to virtual experiences, and community integrated activities were limited. The team focused efforts on refining educational tools and resources, presenting and engaging youth and adults in learning about social capital and ways to enhance capital acquisition, writing funding proposals, and refining and resubmitting existing IRB applications to include virtual completion. During our annual meeting, we conducted both an appreciative inquiry and a ripple effects mapping of our impact from the team’s perspective. From these two facilitated dialogues, we identified that team members find a sense of community within our team, identified an outlet for scholarship, are challenged to enhance the quality of their work with young people, and are inspired to be curious about applying programs in different communities. Additionally, team members indicated that social capital has become more integrated into systems in 4-H, colleagues think more intentionally about building social capital on purpose, and that youth are witnessing the impact of community involvement in helping them to build their capitals. Progress on our intended impacts is indicated below:
Strengthening the Capacity of 4-H Youth Development and Others to Measure and Communicate Community and Individual Social Capital Change Nearing completion of our second toolkit to provide 4-H professionals with tangible tools for building youth social capital on purpose. Anticipated completion of this toolkit is fall 2021 and the team has been accepted to share about this at the 2021 National Association for Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals conference in Memphis. A grant application was submitted to USDA/NIFA through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program to fund a research project that would be conducted in rural areas of Wisconsin, West Virginia, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Regardless of funding, the team anticipates moving forward with a reduced program model. The grant proposal outlines a 3-year research project that builds an evidence and practice base for program approaches that strengthen social capital and social networks. Once approved by the IRB, we will continue to collect data through a quantitative social capital survey that assesses social capital stocks to determine the level of social capital, both at the individual level and in the community.
Sharing Quality Program Practices in Building Youth Social Capital During most of the monthly meetings, team members and guest speakers were invited to share about their quality programs and practices. Following each presentation, the team engaged in conversation and questioning about the content, which led to greater understanding of the myriad ways to build social capital, and has opened the door to replication of quality program models. The team has developed and delivered several workshops in the past year to improve practices that lead to positive outcomes for youth. A workshop was delivered virtually to youth development staff attending the National Association of Extension 4-H YOuth Development Professionals conference in October 2020. The group also presented to the Federal Interagency Work Group on Youth Development in June 2021.
Engaging Multiple Cooperative Extension Program Areas The team is comprised of Extension professionals and other interested individuals from both youth and community development. In addition to inviting speakers in to share and discuss information with our group, we have been intentional about attending and presenting at professional association meetings for both community and youth development, presenting at the NAE4HYDP conference, and the Community Development Society. Our pending AFRI Grant convened individuals from both community and youth development to design a research project that will hopefully be funded. However, regardless of funding, we hope to carry out elements of the proposed project.

Publications

Fields, N. (2020). Exploring the 4-H thriving model: A commentary through an equity lens. Journal of Youth Development, Journal of Youth Development, 15(6), https://jyd.pitt.edu/ojs/jyd/article/view/2020-15-6-FOR-3

Fields, N., Chan, A., Gonzlaez, M., Green, E., Moncloa, F., Massey, K. & Nathaniel, K. (2021). True Leaders: Culture, Power and Justice- A Youth Development Approach to Social Justice. Chevy Chase, MD: National 4-H Curriculum

Sero, R., Hansen, D., Chazdon, S., Bohen, L., Higgins, L., & Emery, M. (forthcoming). Ripple Effects Mapping: A Participatory Strategy for Measuring Program Impacts.” Burns, D.; Howard, J. and Ospina, S.M. (eds) (2021-forthcoming) The SAGE Handbook of Participatory Research and Enquiry, 55 City Road, London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Presentations

Emery, M., Klemme, N., Baker, B., and Lonning, J. (2021). “NCERA 215: Integrating youth and community development to create social capital.” Federal Interagency Work Group on Youth Development.

Fields, N. (2021). Positive Youth Development in the Virtual World. Maryland Youth Works In-Service. Invited by Maryland-out-of-School Time Director.

Fields, N., Stevens, A., Gibson, T., & Kryst, C. (2021). The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity. National Conversations: Race, Relationship and Resources.

Fields, N. (2020). Nurturing the Spark: Thriving Youth and Thriving Communities. New York State 4-H In-Service Workshop. (Invited by the New York 4-H Program Leader).

Fields, N. (2020). Social Justice Youth Development. Pennsylvania 4-H Lunch and Learn. (Invited by the Pennsylvania 4-H Program Leader).

Fields, N. (2020). Positive Youth Development in the Virtual World. Maryland Youth Works In-Service. Invited by Maryland-out-of-School Time Director.

Fields, N. (2020). Our Role and Responsibility for Thriving & Equity. New York State 4-H In-service Keynote. (Invited by the New York 4-H Program Leader).

Fields, N. (2020). National 4-H True Leaders in Equity Keynote. National 4-H True Leaders in Equity Institute. (Invited by National 4-H Council).

Fields, N. (2020). Purpose and Passion: Social Justice Youth Development. Virginia 4-H Teen Summit on Advocacy and Social Justice. (Invited by Virginia 4-H Program Leader).

Fields, N. (2021). Social Justice Youth Development: Putting it into Practice. Civil Air Patrol Cadet National Conference. (Invited by the CAP Director)

Fields, N. (2021). Opportunity for All: Increasing Cultural Awareness & Equity in 4-H. Nebraska 4-H In-Service Keynote. (Invited by Nebraska 4-H In-Service Committee)

Haas, K., Klemme, N., Solomon, V. (2021). Youth In Governance Programming: A Youth and Community Development Effort. Wisconsin Joint Council of Extension Professionals.

Henness, S., Klemme, N., Anderson, C., Lonning, J. (2021). Social capital: Relationships for building success & creating change.

Klemme, N., Van Treek, C., (2021). Youth Engagement in Community Development. Wisconsin Economic Summit.

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