Through Extension, we aim to improve people’s lives by responding to their needs through research and education-based efforts. The first step in offering effective and efficient educational programs that address people’s needs is identifying and prioritizing the community’s needs, which we call a needs assessment. A needs assessment allows you to construct a more objective picture of needs than you would receive depending on one person’s perspective. As Extension professionals (agents and specialists), a needs assessment is crucial for informing your educational program decisions and enhancing their effectiveness and value.
This publication aims to help Extension professionals get started with needs assessments, illustrated through practical examples.
Outline the purpose and planned use of the results.
The purpose of conducting a needs assessment is to identify topics for 4-H programs and activities. The results will be used to determine the three programs that will be implemented during summer break.
Identify individuals who: a) share their perspectives on current issues; b) hold decision-making power; c) assist in prioritizing the gathered needs; d) aid in reaching out to the community or target audience and share the findings from the assessment; and e) communicate results to key stakeholders.
Create a list of individuals, sponsors, administrators, interest groups (Farm Bureau, CREATE Foundation, United Way, or the Minority Farmers Alliance), and the county advisory board. These groups or individuals need to be included because they can share their perspectives on current situations, communicate the results of the assessments, directly influence the community’s priorities, and be part of the decision-making process.
Understand the history of the problem and what information/data already exists in your county by seeking expert advice, visiting the area (if possible), establishing local contacts, and building community relations (attending local events and town hall meetings, partnering with local organizations, forming an advisory council, etc.).
Consider attending a community event such as a farmers market; observe the participants, meet people, and collect information from as many individuals as possible.
Secondary data will give you a quick sense of what is going on in your community.
Agriculture and natural resources agents rely on county data from the Agricultural Census, where data such as age, race, and sex are listed for all the counties in Mississippi. The Agricultural Census is a helpful source for assessing needs in your county. However, primary data should be collected directly from those individuals connected to the community problems, ranging from clients and advisory groups to opinion leaders, to enhance an understanding of community needs. Example sources of secondary data include the following:
Choose methods that help discover more specific issues and gain different perspectives from various sources.
Use techniques you are comfortable with and that are applicable to the target audience. An older population may prefer a written survey or an interview, while a younger population may prefer an online survey using a QR code. The information you are attempting to gather may also determine the method. A roundtable discussion may be more successful for Extension agents when collecting data from their advisory council. A roundtable discussion is a more personal method of gathering data, helping to establish group relationships.
Analyzing data means breaking down the collected information to identify key findings, areas of agreement or disagreement, and agreed-upon conclusions about the identified needs. Sorting and prioritizing needs means organizing and ranking each identified need and determining which ones to address first.
According to a review of secondary data, beekeeping is a growing industry in Lee County, Mississippi. County residents also reported that it is a growing hobby and expressed interest in both beginner and advanced beekeeping. To address and identify the needs of Lee County residents, we planned two different beekeeping workshops. We created priorities related to beekeeping topics of interest and implemented a program to address them. We selected speakers based on the education necessary for each group, chose dates for each workshop, made promotional materials, ordered complementary publications for the topic, and secured a location at the back of our office. After promoting the workshops, we waited for individuals to sign up, effectively putting our plan into action.
When considering needs assessments in your community, listen closely, be observant, and be diligent. Set your goals and act with enthusiasm. Feel free to ask for help. Including your community increases the likelihood of buy-in regarding the action plan.
Caffarella, R. S., & Daffron, S. R. (2013). Planning programs for adult learners: A practical guide ( 3rd ed.) Jossey-Bass.
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. (2023). Mississippi Agriculture Snapshot.
Publication 3983 (POD-03-24)
By Warner Creekmore, Extension Agent, Lee County, and Nesma Osman, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Human Sciences.
Department: School of Human Sciences
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