While various aspects of storytelling are commonly used in Cooperative Extension, Dr. Nicole Breazeale is integrating disparate threads of story-based work into a comprehensive Extension program. She was recognized as the 2021 Southern Regional Winner and National Runner-Up for the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) Creative Excellence Award for this emerging program. One of the focus areas of her storytelling program is Ripple Effect Mapping (REM). This method was developed by Extension professionals and is part of a story-based “turn” in community evaluation work. REM is a highly energizing group evaluation process that brings together appreciative inquiry, mind-mapping, broad-based participation of stakeholders, and qualitative data analysis to capture intended and unintended impacts of community-based programs and networks. Although REM has been utilized extensively in other states, it is new to Kentucky. This participatory evaluation method is a helpful addition to Kentucky Extension, where Agents struggle to assess the broader impact of their programming (Emery et al, 2015). Furthermore, given rising budget constraints, this technique can be used to help “tell the story” of Extension to public officials and other stakeholders (Franz, 2013).    

Dr. Breazeale has introduced the method through a series of workshops: 6 Agent in-services focused on general evaluation methods; 1 Agent in-service focused specifically on REM; 4 presentations on REM to prospective groups; and 1 “train-the-trainer” workshop on facilitating REM. She has facilitated 7 REM sessions in the last year and a half and is adapting the methodology to meet the specific needs of different constituent groups (eg, she used it to jump start a participatory strategic planning process with Master Gardeners, to re-energize 4-H volunteers in the wake of COVID, and to assess the community development impacts of What’s Next East Kentucky). Dr. Breazeale and her team have also prepared four reports (and accompanying maps) for groups that participated in REM sessions and produced an Extension fact sheet about REM that is currently under review. 

Dr. Breazeale’s trainings/workshops received high marks, with an average of 4.84 out of 5.0 on the question, “Rate the overall quality of today’s program.” Some of the initial comments included: “I didn’t realize the ripple effect the [Master Gardeners] have had. This made me want to get even more involved in our programs!” “The community impact of 4-H is greater than we realize. We need to advocate for more support of 4-H.” 

Reaching back out to groups that went through Dr. Breazeale’s REM program this past year reveals the power and lasting impact of the program. One community group reported they used the map/report for fundraising and brought in a $25,000 grant for their work. Another group developed their first strategic plan, expanding into four new areas of Extension programming. A 4-H group realized their value for vulnerable youth and began to pursue new collaborations to build on this strength (developing an arts club for students on the autism spectrum). The REM process also revealed the need to build relationships with political officials and provide more citizenship opportunities, thus the teen leadership club hosted a virtual “capitol” experience day for 33 youth in the county, attended a fiscal court meeting, toured the courthouse, and met with the Chamber of Commerce. Organizers from all the sessions reported that a couple of their participants dramatically stepped up their involvement after REM and became new leaders. Collaborators have gone on to lead or plan REM sessions with food systems groups, Extension Councils, and other local programs.