ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN BLACK BELT STATES

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study are to assess the level of CBO activity in environmental conservation and small farm enterprise development in the black belt; evaluate the level of social capital and institutional capacity of CBOs working on conservation and small farm issues in farming communities in the black belt; generate a profile of critical success factors to serve as a guide to CBOs to create social capital and build institutional capacity.

APPROACH: Selected counties in the black belt states will be surveyed to determine the level of CBO activity in environmental conservation and small farm enterprise development. An instrument will be developed with the assistance of experts to assess institutional capacity of CBOs and social capital formation in black belt farming communities. Multivariate methods will be employed to identify factors important in determining institutional capacity of CBOs and the stock of social capital in these communities; the extent to which social capital, capacity, socioeconomic and demographic factors affect level of activity and performance of CBOs.

PROJ NO: NCX-160-5-99-531-1 AGENCY: CSRS NC.X
PROJ TYPE: EVANS-ALLEN PROJ. STATUS: PENDING NEW
START: 01 OCT 1998 TERM: 30 SEP 2001

INVESTIGATOR: Thomas, T. W.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIV
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27411