APPENDIX A: MODELS UNDERPINNING THE OUTCOMES
NOTE TO READERS: To visualize the theory of change guiding the Climate Action Plan, Extension developed a series of models. There are four spanning agricultural lands, natural resources, and community. The models are meant to be read from left to right, illustrating a series of sequential steps to be taken to achieve the desired outcome. This process begins with inputs and assets, continues to activities and outputs (programming and resources to be developed using inputs and assets), and concludes with outcomes (the benefits society will experience as a result). Each deep dive on the priority workstreams includes summary descriptions of the models and a simplified chart illustrating this progression. Expanding Climate-Smart Policies and Policymaker Engagement Extension will leverage its trust as a community partner and expertise in climate-smart insights, research, and applied learning to advance adoption of climate-smart practices backed by sound policy. Extension will inform policymaking by educating policymakers on the status of climate science, the reality of climate change impact and how it translates to climate-smart practices implemented by end users. Further, it will increase engagement with policymakers at all levels (local, state, federal) and promote dialogue with Extension professionals and Extension (communities, natural resources, and agricultural lands, and beyond).
Table 1: Expanding Climate-Smart Policies and Policy Engagement
Inputs/Assets
Key Activities
Outputs
Short-Term Outcomes (1-3 Years)
Medium Term Outcomes (4-9 Years ) -Community impacts from the policies -Improvement for people Extension serves -Policymakers identify Extension as informants
Long-Term Outcomes (10+ Years)
Available Resources
Assess and Address Internal Capacity and Gaps: -Assess how Extension is working to advance and inform policy -Develop a policy task force to address gaps in Extension policy work -Conduct research into best management practices for local/regional (state) policy -Train Extension on how to engage with policymakers at local, state, and federal level Formalize Extension/policymaker engagement:
-Extension Curriculum for policymaker engagement -Demonstrate delivery successes and learnings -Pathway for collaborator- policymaker interactions
-Contribute to adoption of policies that advance climate resiliency
-Policymakers identify Extension as informants -Agency-level understanding that Extension should be a go-to resource for insights on prospective policy related to climate -Extension will become the trusted
-Many county level employees to serve as resources
-Extension-led facilitation and relationships
-University support
-Develop pathways for collaborator-
-Research, education, evaluation
policymaker interactions
-Increased capacity of Extension to follow through on
-County-level Extension directors currently facilitate the communication between policy and target audience -Extension relationships with federal partners and interest in
adviser among policy makers, concerning climate-smart issues
commitment to climate-smart
delivery via policy and in partnership with producers
-Policymakers will utilize Extension as a trusted partner in
-Extension receives funding for farmers that enhances the stability of climate work
information delivery and program implementation
-Convene Extension and multi-agency leadership through listening sessions
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