Karen Ballard Email & Phone Number

Little Rock, Ar

I provide statewide consultation, training and support for small and large scale needs assessment, strategic planning, and program implementation and evaluation. I have served as the PI for over 21 million dollars in grants with state and federal government entities and private foundations.I have provided strategic planning facilitation to diverse groups, including: the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Methodist Family Health, Arkansas Flower and Garden Show Board of Directors, UA Division of Agriculture, and Boston College National Resource Center for Participant Directed Services.Leadership of evaluation projects have included: Evaluation of a Public Relations and Marketing Program (public sector); Managing in Tough Times (national); Cotman/Cotton Incorporated National Software Usability Evaluation; Extension ATV Safety Program (National Evaluation Team); RiceCAP & Rice Breeders Multi-State Evaluation; Public Engagement Evaluation (Arkansas Game and Fish Commission); National State-to-State Technical Assistance Program for Community Living; Technical and Economic Analysis of the Potential for Conversion of Poultry and Swine Facilities to Alternative AG Operations; and Social Acceptability of Agricultural Biotechnology.Technology-Based Projects I have served in a lead role have included: Redesign and redeployment of UA CES website (Chair of the Migration, Training and Communication Team); UA CES Arkansas Information Management System (AIMS) co-designer; Producer, Soybean and Blackberry Virtual Field Trips (4); Producer, JCEP National Town Hall Meeting; and Producer NAEPSDP/SR-PLN Virtual Summer School.Teaching topics have included: Web Content Strategy, Instructional Design Bootcamp, Strategic Planning (online and classroom), Program Evaluation (webinars and classroom), Soybean Science Challenge (online course), Conflict Resolution, True Colors, Leadership Principles, E-Learning in rural environments, and Online Learning Circles.