Drafting the Roadmap to Strengthen UDAF Across Communities

The Challenge‍

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) needed a comprehensive, forward-thinking strategy to guide its efforts over the next decade. With diverse stakeholders across urban and rural communities, it was essential to align goals while addressing key challenges facing Utah’s agriculture and food sectors.

The Solution‍

We led the development of UDAF’s Centennial Strategic Plan by conducting both quantitative and qualitative research, including data analysis, statewide stakeholder surveys, focus groups, and interviews with over 100 key industry leaders and officials. From this research, we identified the sector’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. We collaborated with UDAF and the Utah Association of Counties to establish six long-term goals, each with defined objectives and tactics. Additionally, we created a 12-month public relations calendar to communicate the plan’s rollout effectively.

The Results‍

The Centennial Strategic Plan provided UDAF with a clear, actionable roadmap to strengthen Utah’s agricultural infrastructure, workforce, land use, supply chains, and education efforts. The extensive stakeholder engagement ensured broad support, while the PR strategy positioned UDAF as a proactive leader in addressing the evolving needs of Utah’s agriculture industry.