Georgia, with its varied landscape ranging from the Appalachian Mountains to the coastal plains, presents unique challenges and opportunities that require specifically tailored local solutions. As such, collecting and applying locally relevant data to address critical issues is paramount. As a follow up to the May 15 blog post where I shared the results of a study we conducted to identify critical issues facing the state of Georgia, in the blog post this week we analyzed the issues based on county level perceptions - as well as geographic groupings. The results provide insights into pressing concerns in areas like youth and family development, civic engagement, agriculture, nutrition, and water management, underscoring the necessity of region-specific interventions.
Key Themes and Critical Issue Areas:
Youth and Family Development:
Ranked as the top concern, particularly in rural and distressed counties.
Calls for enhanced visibility and accessibility of existing programs like 4-H and family development initiatives.
Recommendations include adjusting programs to better meet local needs and increasing outreach efforts.
Civic Engagement and Community Development:
Despite low overall concern, some areas like the Upper Coastal Plain showed significant interest.
Lack of community development personnel within the local extension service highlights a gap in addressing this issue.
Suggestions include conducting needs assessments and potentially developing a dedicated community development programming domain.
Agriculture and Economic Development:
Important in regions like the Blue Ridge Mountains, where there is a high perception of its significance.
The focus is on reskilling workers and leveraging natural resources for sustainable economic plans.
Nutrition Education and Food Availability:
Surprisingly low concern despite relatively high rates of obesity and poor nutrition habits according to the CDC.
Extension services are advised to reevaluate public perceptions and enhance the effectiveness of programs like SNAP-Ed.
Water Management:
Perceived as less critical, possibly due to existing conservation efforts.
Continued education on water conservation and its regional impacts recommended.
This research reflects the diverse perspectives across Georgia's different geographic regions, offering a clear directive for localized program adjustments and resource allocation. By understanding the specific needs and critical area concerns of various communities, Georgia can better target its developmental efforts, ensuring that interventions are both effective and relevant. This approach not only fosters community engagement but also enhances the overall resilience and sustainability of the state’s development strategies. I've included the full manuscript below if you would like to learn more. Please be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.
Schmidt, A., Lamm, K. W., Borron, A., & Lamm, A. J. (2024). Examining the relationship between geographic groupings and perspective of critical community issues: An audience segmentation analysis. Land, 13(5), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050681
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