Saneters:
Attached is a survey from the WK Kellogg Foundation seeking information and
feedback on existing sustainable agriculture networks and its Integrated
Farming Systems Network.
Maria Magnelli van Hekken
WK Kellogg Foundation Consultant
SOURCE: THE W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION
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SOURCE: THE W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION =
Dear Colleague:
SANet has been identified an appropriate place for the W.K. Kellogg Found=
ation to obtain information and feedback to help us decide whether or not=
the Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) network should be maintained and, i=
f so, for what purpose and in what form.
The Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) network is composed of representativ=
es of 18 projects funded primarily by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. It ha=
s met twice a year for a national networking conference since August of 1=
992. The purpose of the IFS projects is to: 1) help farmers find and ad=
opt integrated and resource-efficient crop and livestock systems that mai=
ntain productivity, are profitable, and protect the environment and the p=
ersonal health of farmers and their families, and 2) assist people and th=
eir communities to overcome the barriers to adoption of more sustainable =
agricultural systems so these systems can serve as a foundation upon whic=
h rural American communities will be revitalized. A draft purpose statem=
ent for an IFS network recently developed by an IFS working group is "to =
foster collaborative action toward agricultural and community sustainabil=
ity". =
Now in the third year, and with one additional networking conference sche=
duled, the IFS network members and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation want to as=
sess future needs for the network.
We appreciate your time in filling out this survey and providing us with =
the information we need to make an informed decision about the future of =
the IFS network. Please return it to Maria at mariavhm@aol.com (NOT TO S=
ANET!) by January 4. =
Thank you. =
Sincerely,
Richard M. Foster Maria Magnelli van Hekken
Vice President for Program W.K. Kellogg Foundation Consultant
Food Systems and Rural Development
IFS SURVEY
NAME (Optional)__________________________________________________________=
______
Have you ever attended an IFS Networking conference? __________YES_____=
____NO
Do you participate in one of the IFS projects? ____=
_____YES_________NO
1. What regional and national sustainable agriculture networks do you par=
ticipate in? =
2. What needs do these existing networks network, meet? (Feel free to be=
specific about which networks meet which needs.) =
3. Which of the following needs are being adequately met by existing regi=
onal and national networks? Please respond on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1=
is not met and 5 is highly met.
Networks meet/don't meet the need for:
Not met at all Highly met
access to diverse collaborators on regional/national
sustainable agriculture projects 1 2 3 4 5
information acquisition and exchange 1 2 3 4 5
leadership development of members 1 2 3 4 5
national networking conferences 1 2 3 4 5
networking with direct marketing contacts 1 2 3 4 5
networking with farmers 1 2 3 4 5
networking with sustainable agriculture contacts 1 2 3 4 5
obtaining grassroots perspective and reality check
on programs I am involved in 1 2 3 4 5
policy influence at the local/regional level 1 2 3 4 5
policy influence at the national level 1 2 3 4 5
policy influence at the university 1 2 3 4 5
providing a forum for sharing project experiences 1 2 3 4 5
providing a forum for strategy development 1 2 3 4 5
providing community support for sustainable =
agriculture 1 2 3 4 5
providing support and encouragement in my work 1 2 3 4 5
providing technological support
(e.g. electronic communication) 1 2 3 4 5
regional Networking conferences 1 2 3 4 5
sustainable agriculture production information 1 2 3 4 5
other_________________________________________________________________
4. Indicate the level of need that exists for the IFS network to continue=
, on a scale of 1- 5, where 1 is not needed and 5 is highly needed.
Not needed Highly needed
1...........................2......................3.....................=
=2E..4..........................5
5. What is your preference with regard to the IFS network? =
________ consider it finished; disperse.
________ merge with existing networks
________ maintain IFS as it is =
________ continue IFS in a new form (explain)
________ expand the IFS network as a national network
________ expand the IFS network on a regional level
________ don't know
________ other
6. If the IFS network were to continue, who should be involved and why? (=
Please feel free to list names of individuals and organizations)
7. If the IFS network were to continue, how should it be sustained, i.e.,=
in what form? (For example: electronic network, newsletter, merge with =
existing regional/national networks, non-profit organization, several reg=
ional networks, etc.)
8. If the IFS network were to continue, how should it be governed or led?=
(Please list any other ideas you have.)
________ diverse stakeholders representation
________ executive board, elected by membership
________ foundation representatives
________ regional representation
________ other
9. What resources will be required to sustain the network? (Please list a=
ny other ideas you have.)
________ a clear purpose
________ commitment of its members
________ diverse funding streams
________ foundation support
________ membership dues
________ open membership
________ time resources allocated to the network
________ other
10. What specific next steps should be taken to work with existing networ=
ks or maintain or expand the IFS network?
11. As a way to help us understand the deeper values that people hold in =
their work, we would like to learn something about core values. What are=
the values that motivate and sustain your work toward sustainable agricu=
lture?
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