Innovators in Rural Community Economic Development

Strategic Planning

Yellow Wood brings a special combination of content and process expertise to our work.

We invite you to explore our work.  Recent projects and presentations are listed below.  You can explore additional work using the various tags in the right hand column.

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, April 2015

Participants in the April 2015 Becoming a Measurement Guide Training joined us from the 1772 Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Yellow Wood Associates.  Yellow Wood has been offering professionals with facilitation skills…

CODESPA, Design of a Profit Sharing and Co-ownership Model; Its Strategies, Procedures and Implementation for Small Holder Farmers for Opportunity International

Opportunity International was interested in developing an agricultural model for sharing economic benefits and applying this model to a plant operated by Opportunity International in Nicaragua.  The CODESPA Foundation was selected to complete this…

Renewable Energy Vermont Strategic Planning

Renewable Energy Vermont is a Vermont-based non-profit focused on reducing the state’s dependence on fossil fuels and expanding the use of renewable energy across the state and the region. Yellow Wood is working with Renewable Energy Vermont on a three-part…

Verde River Valley Nature Organization, Strategic Planning, Measurement, and Coaching

Yellow Wood is working with the Verde River Valley Nature Organization (VRVNO) as they transition from a volunteer-led nonprofit organization to an executive director-led nonprofit. We will be facilitating an on-site strategic planning workshop with…

Connecticut Land Conservation Council Retreat Facilitation

The Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) works to increase the pace, quality and scale of land conservation in Connecticut while assuring the perpetual, high quality stewardship of conserved lands in the state. The council is in a growth stage,…

Strategic Thinking, Workshop Facilitation and Follow-up for the Local Economies Project of the New World Foundation

Continuing their work with the Local Economies Project (LEP) of the New World Foundation, Yellow Wood designed and facilitated a full-day, on-site workshop to review the findings from the first workshop, align current and planned activities in relation…

Economic Strategy Development Workshop for the Town of Hinesburg

Yellow Wood provided the Town of Hinesburg with assistance in developing an economic development strategy. This assistance included planning and facilitating a community engagement workshop to identify the strategic leverage points for goals identified…

2014 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference Workshop: Strategic Planning, Measurement and Evaluation Using “You Get What You Measure®”

Melissa Levy presented a workshop titled Strategic Planning, Measurement and Evaluation Using “You Get What You Measure®” at the 2014 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference. You Get What You Measure® is a facilitated, values-based strategic planning…

Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, 25th Annual Rural Community and Economic Development Conference Sessions

Melissa Levy presented two “You Get What You Measure®” workshop sessions at the 25th Annual Rural Community and Economic Development Conference, as part of a program of workshops on community and economic development techniques. The conference was…

What Works III and National Value-Added Agriculture Joint Conference in Baltimore, “Developing Measures that Matter”

The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development's What Works Conference Series hosted a joint regional conference with the National Value Added Agriculture Conference on "Enhancing Food Security and Rural Viability through Innovative Food System…

Land Trust Alliance Northeast Farmland Preservation Grantee Meeting Facilitation

Yellow Wood worked with the Land Trust Alliance Northeast Region and the 1772 Foundation to plan and facilitate a meeting of farmland preservation grantees.  The Land Trust Alliance Northeast Region has a collaborative relationship with the 1772 Foundation…

Measurement Workshop, Raleigh, NC, March 2014

Shanna Ratner and Jackie LeBlanc co-presented a half-day public workshop on the You Get What You Measure® process in Raleigh, NC.  Attendees came from the Research Triangle Foundaton, Hudson Varick Resources, and the North Carolina Fourth Sector Resource…

Measurement Workshop, Ithaca, NY, May 2014

Shanna Ratner presented a half-day public workshop on the You Get What You Measure® process in Ithaca, NY.  The workshop was part of the Human Services Coalition workshop series. Attendees came from Alternatives Federal…

Measurement Workshop, Baltimore, MD, May 2014

Melissa Levy and Samantha Dunn co-presented a half-day public workshop on the You Get What You Measure® process in Baltimore, MD.  Attendees came from the Farmers Market Coalition and the University of Maryland.

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, April 2014

Participants in the April 2014 Becoming a Measurement Guide Training joined us from the Virgin Islands Developmental Disabilities Council and the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link.  Yellow Wood has been offering professionals with facilitation skills…

NGFN Food Hub Collaboration Spring 2014 Conference: "Finding Common Measures," "Measures that Matter"

Shanna Ratner and Jackie LeBlanc presented two sessions at the NGFN Food Hub Collaboration Spring 2014 Conference in Raleigh, NC: “Finding Common Measures for the Nation’s Food Hubs” and “Measures that Matter.” In “Finding Common Measures,” Yellow…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Coaching, Molly Anderson, Farm to Institution New England

Shanna Ratner provided coaching and mentoring to 2007 Measurement Guide Molly Anderson, Partridge Chair in Food & Sustainable Agriculture Systems, College of the Atlantic, during a You Get What You Measure® in Use session with Farm to Institution New…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, April 2013

Members of the April 2013 Measurement Guide class included Ashley Taylor, Wallace Center at Winrock International, Virginia; Barbara Newman, Jefferson County Department of Health, Alabama; Denise Smith, Friends of Northern Lake Champlain, Vermont;…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Coaching, Karen Lehman, Fresh Taste

Melissa Levy provided measurement coaching to 2013 Measurement Guide Karen Lehman, Director of Fresh Taste. Melissa Levy assisted Karen Lehman and Fresh Taste with facilitation of a workshop with representatives of the Illinois Farmers Market Association.…

New Venture Fund, Fresh Taste Workshop with the Illinois Farmers Market Association

Melissa Levy assisted Karen Lehman and Fresh Taste with facilitation of a workshop with representatives of the Illinois Farmers Market Association. Using You Get What You Measure®, the workshop was meant to help the Illinois Farmers Market Association…

ReGeneration Resources, Commute Green New Hampshire Strategic Planning

Yellow Wood provided consulting services to ReGeneration Resources in support of their strategic planning work with Commute Green New Hampshire (CGNH), a partnership of businesses, schools, transit agencies, regional planning commissions, rideshare…

Farm to Institution New England (FINE) Planning Retreat

FINE is a network of organizations working to strengthen farm to institution connections throughout New England. Yellow Wood worked with FINE using You Get What You Measure® to engage multiple stakeholders in clarifying its external goals, creating…

Town of Mansfield, Plan of Conservation and Development - Agriculture Strategy

The team of Goody Clancy & Associates, of which Yellow Wood Associates is a part, was selected by the Town of Mansfield, CT to assist in preparing an updated Plan of Conservation and Development as part of their commitment to the federal Sustainable…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, November 2012

Members of the November 2012 Measurement Guide class included Jeff Farbman, Wallace Center at Winrock International, Virginia; Katie Enterline, Wallace Center at Winrock International, Virginia; Stacia Kiraly, Wallace Center at Winrock International,…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, April 2012

Members of the April 2012 Measurement Guide class included Ben Lesser, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.; Greg Hessel, ReGeneration Resources, Vermont; Jackie LeBlanc, Yellow Wood Associates, Vermont; and Michael Hancox, Skeo Solutions,…

eXtension Evaluation Professional Development Community of Practice, Strategic Planning Services

The eXtension Evaluation PDCoP is charged with providing assistance, resources, and expertise in evaluation to colleagues throughout the Cooperative Extension Service of USDA and across all Extension content areas using electronic media. The eXtension…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, November 2011

Members of the November 2011 Measurement Guide class included Ann Jones-Weinstock, NRG Systems, Vermont; Deb Markley, Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, North Carolina; and Marilyn Hoke, Community Resource Group, Arkansas. Since 2002, Yellow Wood has…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, March 2011

Members of the March 2011 Becoming a Measurement Guide class included Katy Allen, Rural Support Partners, North Carolina; Thomas Watson, Rural Support Partners, North Carolina; Judy Anderson, Community Consultants, New York; Ruth Feldman, Project for…

US EPA 2011 Community Involvement Training Conference, "Community Involvement in the 21st Century: Embracing Diversity, Expanding Engagement, Utilizing Technology"

Melissa Levy, Senior Associate, and Barbara Wyckoff, Measurement Guide, co-presented "You Get What You Measure®: An Alternative Strategic Planning and Evaluation Tool for Progress You Can See," a seven hour training session crafted to provide participants…

Alliance for Nonprofit Management Annual Conference, 2010, "You Get What You Measure: An Alternative Strategic Planning and Evaluation Tool"

Melissa Levy presented “You Get What You Measure: An Alternative Strategic Planning and Evaluation Tool” at the 2010 Alliance for Nonprofit Management Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Participants received an overview of a strategic planning and…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, May 2010

The May 2010 class of Measurement Guides included Jeremy Phillips, Jeremy Phillips Consulting, Massachusetts; Ora Grodsky, Just Works Consulting, Massachusetts; and Samantha Dunn, Yellow Wood Associates. Since 2002, Yellow Wood has been offering professionals…

Evaluation, Capacity Building, and Technical Assistance Services for The Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County

Yellow Wood was the local evaluator for Workforce Central, an initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County (now Incourage Community Foundation) and its strategic partners funded by the National Workforce Solutions Fund (NWSF).…

Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition 10th Annual Policy Meeting

Shanna Ratner, Principal, presented on "Local Wealth Creation, Diversification and Retention."  This presentation provided an overview of the wealth creation approach to rural development and the Ford Foundation's…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, January 2009

The January 2009 class of Measurement Guides included Peter van Schaick, consultant, Vermont; Rob Petrini, Yellow Wood Associates, Vermont. Since 2002, Yellow Wood has been offering professionals with facilitation skills the opportunity to become Measurement…

Central Appalachian Network, Evaluation and Strategic Planning

The Central Appalachian Network (CAN) is a group of seven nonprofits in the Central Appalachian states of Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia focused on transforming Central Appalachia’s economy by creating economic opportunities…

Central Minnesota Cultural Planning Steering Committee

Shanna Ratner and Rob Petrini of Yellow Wood Associates worked with a group of regional participants from the Central Minnesota Cultural Planning Steering Committee applying the You Get What You Measure® process to a Cultural Plan previously worked…

Central Minnesota Nonprofit Organizations

Within this session Yellow Wood Associates worked with a diverse group of eleven nonprofit organizations within Central Minnesota. Each group was asked to identify a specific goal related to their organization at which time we facilitated them through…

Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County Workforce Central Workshop

The You Get What You Measure® workshop presented on May 11, 2009 for Workforce Central of the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County, Wisconsin was well attended by participants ranging from staff, committee members, funder representatives…

Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County Workshop

Shanna Ratner and Rob Petrini presented a You Get What You Measure workshop for the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County, WI on March 5, 2009. This half day session was the first of two, the second presented on May 12, 2009. The first…

Spartanburg County Foundation Workshop

The You Get What You Measure® workshop presented by Shanna Ratner, Melissa Levy, and Rob Petrini on April 28 and 29th, 2009 for the Spartanburg, South Carolina Community organized through the Spartanburg County Foundation, was a two-day You Get What…

Expanding Sustainable and Community-based Food Systems Project Strategic Planning

Yellow Wood worked with the National Good Food Network leadership in designing, executing, and following up on a strategic planning meeting. Yellow Wood assisted with the follow up process, development of an action plan, and evaluation planning.

West Central Initiative Planning

In this workshop Yellow Wood worked with the West Central Initiative Management Team and applied the You Get What You Measure® process to the Business and Employment portion of their strategic plan. During this process they revealed the key leverage…

Western Heritage Historic Byway Strategic Planning

The Director and volunteer committee who manage the Western Heritage Historic Byway in Idaho used You Get What You Measure® to develop a strategic plan for their byway. They identified goals, key leverage indicators, measures and actions that will…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, November 2007

The November 2007 Becoming a Measurement Guide class included Molly Anderson, College of the Atlantic, Maine; Valerie Esposito, Gund Institute, Vermont; and Daniel Spies, consultant, Illinois. Since 2002, Yellow Wood has been offering professionals…

US EPA 2007 Community Involvement Training Conference

Shanna Ratner and Melissa Levy of Yellow Wood Associates presented an 8-hour You Get What You Measure® training. Everyone likes to see progress. Measurement provides tangible evidence of progress that motivates further action. This is true whether…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, April 2006

The April 2006 Becoming a Measurement Guide class included Wilma Bodnar and Hélène Gaulin of Environment Canada. Since 2002, Yellow Wood has been offering professionals with facilitation skills the opportunity to become Measurement Guides and learn…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, November 2006

The November 2006 Becoming a Measurement Guide class included Kimberly Norris, EcoEval, Maryland; and Susan Koschak, America’s Byways, Minnesota. Since 2002, Yellow Wood has been offering professionals with facilitation skills the opportunity to become…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Coaching, Jeff Forward, Vermont Environmental Consortium

Shanna Ratner provided coaching and mentoring for 2005 Measurement Guide Jeff Forward of Forward Thinking Consultants as he facilitated his first You Get What You Measure® session with the Vermont Environmental Consortium at Groton State Park on Monday,…

US EPA 2006 Community Involvement Conference and Training, "Something is Brewing: Achieving Environmental Results Through Community Involvement"

Shanna Ratner and Melissa Levy of Yellow Wood Associates presented an 8-hour You Get What You Measure® training. Identifying indicators and developing measures of progress can be a powerful tool for personal and organizational development, as well…

Strategic Planning Retreat, Vermont Environmental Consortium.

For the second time, Vermont Environmental Consortium's Board of Directors selected Yellow Wood Associates to facilitate their strategic planning process using our trademarked You Get What You Measure® approach. In a one-day retreat, Yellow Wood assisted…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, November 2005

The November 2005 class of Measurement Guides included Jeff Forward, Forward Thinking Consultants, Vermont; Joy Stalker, Rural Health Network of South Central New York; Christine Berwald, Rural Health Network of South Central New York; and Charlie…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, February 2005

Members of the February 2005 Becoming a Measurement Guide class included Lorie Higgins, University of Idaho and Susan Youmans, Executive Director, Environmental Partnerships, Inc., Massachusetts. Since 2002, Yellow Wood has been offering professionals…

US EPA 2005 Community Involvement Conference and Training, "Building Bridges Through Strong Partnerships"

Yellow Wood Associates presented an 8-hour training in You Get What You Measure®. This informative, interactive workshop introduced the process of measurement by showing participants how to clarify goals, identify indicators and effective measures…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, November 2004

Members of the November 2004 Becoming a Measurement Guide class included Monica Stone, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Samin Dadelahi, Wyoming Community Foundation. Since 2002, Yellow Wood has been offering professionals with facilitation…

Vermont Environmental Consortium Strategic Planning Sessions

Yellow Wood facilitated the Vermont Environmental Consortium's strategic planning process using our trademarked You Get What You Measure® approach. Over the course of two workshops, Yellow Wood assisted the board with planning to better define the…

Northwest Area Foundation, Introduction to Strategy Development, Central South King County, Washington

Yellow Wood Associates provided an introduction to strategy development using You Get What You Measure® to a multi-lingual group of residents, immigrants, and refugees in Central South King County, Washington on behalf of the Northwest Area Foundation.…

Opportunity Works Strategy Development Workshop

Facilitated one-day application of You Get What You Measure® for the Community Foundation of Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Northeast Iowa focusing on clarifying the definition of “assets” using indicator analysis in a systems context for self-organizing…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, August 2002

Members of the August 2002 Becoming a Measurement Guide class included LaDonna Coy, Southwest CAPT, Oklahoma; Kerstin Gorham, Northwest Area Foundation, Minnesota; and Karen Affeld, Rural Action, Ohio. Since 2002, Yellow Wood has been offering professionals…

Becoming a Measurement Guide Training, February 2002

Members of the first Becoming a Measurement Guide class included Sunny Walker, SunWalker Enterprises, Colorado; Suzanne Hughes, ACT Missouri; Jon Zeltsman, Zeltsman Associates, New York; and Michaela Stickney, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Since…

Northwest Area Foundation, Regional Center Representative’s Meeting Strategic Planning

Shanna Ratner of Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. was invited by the Northwest Area Foundation of St. Paul, Minnesota to work with grantees receiving support under its Regional Center Initiative. Grantees received significant financial support to prepare…

ACEnet Consulting on Measurements and Networks

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. provided feedback to ACEnet staff on ACEnet’s strategic plan, and introduced Yellow Wood Associates, Inc.’s measurement process along with the business network evaluation model developed with the Vermont Sustainable Jobs…

Vermont Department of Agriculture Strategic Plan for Marketing & Development

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. worked with industry groups, staff and legislators on a three-phase strategic planning process with the Agriculture Development Division of the Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food and Markets.

Chenango County Natural Resource-Based Economic Assessment

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. worked with Planning/Environmental Research Consultants of Ithaca, New York to profile and assess the actual and potential contributions of agriculture and forestry to the economy of Chenango County. Research focused on…

Essex County Strategic Farmland Protection Plan

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. worked with the Essex County Farmland Protection Board to develop a plan for farmland protection based on a strategic analysis of opportunities to strengthen agriculture in Essex County. Work included a survey of farmers…

Southampton Natural Resource-Based Economic Assessment

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. worked with Land Ethics, Inc. of Washington, DC to analyze existing agricultural and fisheries resources and develop recommendations for fostering an economically and environmentally viable climate for the natural resource-based…

Wood Products Development Strategy

Presented the Wood Products Development Strategy for Northern New York to Utilization and Marketing Foresters from across the United States at the Vermont Wood Energy and Recycling Conference, Farm Credit Bankers from across the Northeast, the Adirondack…

North Country Food First

Potsdam College retained Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. as a technical consultant to the North Country Food First program. Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. prepared a quarterly newsletter, assisted in workshop development for buyers and growers, presented…

Wood Products Development Strategy

On behalf of the Adirondack North Country Association, Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. prepared a detailed primary and secondary wood product development strategy for six counties in northern New York. Work included extensive field and phone interviews…

Harlem Valley Planning Partnership Agricultural Diversification Study

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. worked with the Harlem Valley Planning Partnership to explore alternatives in order to diversify and strengthen the agricultural base of the Harlem Valley in Dutchess County, New York. The work emphasized developing direct…

Strategy Development, Maine Food Strategy Steering Committee

The Maine Food Strategy Steering Committee is a diverse group of stakeholders from around the state. Initiated in December of 2013, the Steering Committee is responsible for guiding the direction of the Maine…