On-Target Seminar

An excellent illustration of the impact of NGTEN "train-the-trainer" activities is the On-Target Seminar.

In the first full week of October each year (dating back to 2001), many NGTEN Geospatial Extension Specialists converge on Salt Lake City to help conduct the On-Target Seminar and Fellowship Program. This unique educational model (developed by Utah's Dr. Phil Rasmussen) provides 5 days of intensive training to 15-20 highly motivated Extension agents from across the country. Among these are 4 participants who have won a fellowship competition sponsored through the support of NACAA, NASA, USDA-CSREES in collaboration with the National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA). The goal of On-Target is to increase the rate of diffusion of the most recent Earth systems science, geospatial technology (including the "Geospatial Tool Kit", and decision support innovations by integrating the efforts and knowledge of lead Extension agents, Geospatial Extension Specialists, and application developers. On-Target also serves as an incubator to test new technology and new educational materials and methods.

Impacts

On-Target provides insight into the value of professional development workshops conducted for Extension agents. On-Target is an excellent example of a "Train-the-Trainer" program that results in far more people being reached than those who participate directly in Salt Lake City. Evaluations at the end of each training event reveal that the intensive hands-on seminar was viewed as practical, educational and useful.

Impact survey results show that there have been a total of 55 people trained at On-Target (2002-2003). Out of these 55 people 98% have implemented what they learned at On-Target in their individual programs. They are using geospatial and remote sensing technologies on a daily basis and teaching them to others. As a result of On-Target many of the participants have held and are planning to hold formal trainings and workshops regarding geospatial principles. There have been 14 Extension trainings held impacting more than 600 people. The 4-H program has been impacted dramatically with over 20 trainings being held for more than 900 youth. Over 500 producers have been trained at nine different events. Trainings have been held on a community level to more than 650 people at nine different trainings. There have also been a host of other trainings that have taken place to more than 350 people in 14 different trainings.

These people who have attended On-Target have proven that they share the information they have learned and many other people have been instructed in geospatial principles because of their trainings. Extrapolating from these survey results, an estimated 1,100 farms and ranches had been impacted with positive financial returns, amounting to more than 2 million acres with improved ecological sustainability.

Strategic Alliances

On-Target has fostered some very important strategic alliances. In addition to On-Target has forged strategic alliances with NACAA, NRCS and the Conservation Districts. Many private sector firms also participate, including Harvestmaster and Juniper Systems, Campbell Scientific, John Deere, ESRI, StarPal.