That Program Really Helped Me: Using Focus Group Research to Measure the Outcomes of Two Statewide Leadership Programs

Abstract

This qualitative study attempts to document outcomes of two statewide agricultural and rural leadership programs by determining the affects of the program on participants after they graduate. The study explored three levels of outcomes: individual, organizational and community using the EvaluLEAD framework developed by Grove, Kibel and Haas (2005). Participants in the study were graduates of the Arkansas and Ohio statewide agricultural and rural leadership programs from 1984-2005. The research method is the first attempt to use focus groups to explore the outcome areas using the EvaluLEAD model. The outcomes reported by participants are documented as well as the methodology