Local Agriculture Community Exchange (LACE) Final Evaluation Report: 2007-2010

The evaluation of the LACE project focused on both process and outcome strategies; evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the program's development and interventions, such as improvements to the LACE space and the presence of CVCAC staff on-site at the LACE location to provide services for entrepreneurs. The evaluation also examines strategies to recruit and retain vendors, the quality of technical assistance provided, and client outcomes such as increased sales, earned income, and job creation. These outcomes were anticipated to result from connecting local producers and entrepreneurs to a viable market. The outcome evaluation provides an assessment of project results as measured by collected data that define the net effects of the interventions applied in the project. The outcome evaluation produces and interprets findings related to whether the interventions produced desirable changes and their potential for being replicated, answering the question of whether or not the program worked. The process evaluation component is an ongoing examination of the implementation of the LACE investment and project, including collaboration among project partners. The results of the process component were provided as a management tool to facilitate continuous project improvement. In documenting project development, the process evaluation also served to help staff identify challenges or barriers, strategies to resolve them, and provided recommendations for future implementation. The process and outcome evaluations utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods, such as telephone and intercept surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and review of database information.

For more information about this study or to request additional copies of this report, please contact Michele Cranwell Schmidt, Evaluation Coordinator, at mschmidt@uvm.edu, call (802) 656-0256 or visit www.uvm.edu/crs/.