In a 2013 study, the Wallace Center at Winrock International found that there are hundreds of organizations across the country working to address complex issues in vulnerable communities through building a healthier food system. Most of these groups are trying to achieve the same community development goals but are not necessarily aware of each other or sharing their best practices, lessons learned, and other innovations worthy of emulation.
In 2017, the Wallace Center launched the Food Systems Leadership Network, a national Community of Practice for staff and leaders of community-based organizations working on food systems change to address this gap and ensure improved peer-to-peer relationship among leaders of these organizations.
Working with University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service student Darlynton Adegor, the Wallace Center was able to create an evaluation framework for this initiative and measure the impact the project is having on the target audience and the community.
“Darlynton helped us think through our theory of change, develop a ‘logic model’ that links our activities to our goals for the project, and created an evaluation framework that will serve us for years to come,” said Program Officer Susan Schempf. “We are grateful for his thought partnership and look forward to implementing his recommendations so that we can document the impact of this initiative to our partners and funders.”
Adegor completed his research as part of his Capstone, the culminating field service project at the Clinton School of Public Service. He plans to remain involved and help with the implementation of the proposed evaluation framework.
About The Wallace Center at Winrock International
The Wallace Center is a unit within the Enterprise and Agriculture Group of Winrock International. Its mission is to develop partnerships, pilot new ideas, and advance solutions to strengthen communities through resilient farming and food systems.
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