Innovative Programming Addressing Food Security



NourishTank is a shark-style competition that empowers students to develop innovative, sustainable solutions for combating hunger and ensuring food security. Following the inaugural NourishTank event, participants provided valuable feedback, including an enhanced understanding of hunger issues, improved hard and soft skills, and expressed interest in volunteering. Feedback emphasized academic and personal network channels for awareness and suggestions for improvement related to program refinement and expansion of outreach efforts.

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Coal Mining and Mental Health

Mental health is a concern in Carbon and Emery Counties of Utah, particularly in its association with coal mining. An event was held to raise awareness about how the industry impacts mental health and resources to address it. Results from pre- and post-surveys show the usefulness of the event to attendees. 

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"What's Up Down South" Economic Summit: Transforming Feedback into Value and Relevance

This article explores the impact of the "What's Up Down South" economic summit. Reviewing post-2023 summit changes reveals how adjustments address southern Utah's diverse business needs. Findings show greater attendee satisfaction, increased capacity, and demographic diversity, confirming the summit's role in economic development.  

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Assessing Community Needs and Concerns in Iron County



Utah State University Extension conducted a needs assessment to identify priority needs in Iron County. The needs assessment employed a three-phase approach involving interviews, surveys, and data analysis. Results revealed top priority issues, including youth mental health, preparing youth for successful careers, and employment opportunities. The findings will guide Extension programming in addressing community needs effectively.

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Latino Entrepreneurs in Utah



Latino-owned businesses represent one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. economy. Critical to the success of Latino entrepreneurs are enhanced access to capital and education in best practices such as financial management and customer engagement. Utah State University (USU) Extension, in collaboration with Latino Entrepreneurs of Northern Utah (ELNU), developed and delivered a targeted educational series in fall 2021 and spring 2022. The series effectively increased participants’ knowledge and satisfaction, with a final survey showing 47% to 60% of participants planning to adopt new business practices. The initiative highlights the importance of tailored educational programs in empowering Latino business owners and suggests pathways for further supporting entrepreneurial success in minority communities.

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