scBgp Performance Measures

Outcome 1: Increasing Consumption and Consumer 

 Purchasing of Specialty Crops

indicator 1.2

Total number of consumers who 

reported consuming more specialty 

crops ___. 

• 1.2a: Adults ___.

• 1.2b: Children ___. 

Data Collection Tip

Measuring the number of consumers that 

consumed more specialty crops will vary 

depending on recipient activities and types of 

stakeholders engaged. The “Data Collection 

Considerations” section within the Program 

Evaluation Framework outlines methods for 

measuring consumption change through surveys, 

separate studies, measuring digital traffic, and 

tracking transactions and/or returning customers. 

Recipients who are required to collect this data 

will identify an appropriate method for 

establishing baseline and updated 

consumption-related data to report on this 

indicator.

indicator 1.1

Total number of consumers who gained 

knowledge about specialty crops ___. 

Of those, the number of 

• 1.1a: Adults ___.

• 1.1b: Children ___. 

Data Collection Tip

Measuring the number of consumers who gained 

knowledge about specialty crops will vary 

depending on recipient activities and types of 

stakeholders engaged. The “Data Collection 

Considerations” section within the Program 

Evaluation Framework outlines methods for 

measuring knowledge gain through surveys, 

separate studies, measuring digital traffic, and 

tracking transactions and/or returning customers. 

Recipients who are required to collect this data 

will identify an appropriate method for 

establishing baseline and updated knowledgerelated data to report on this indicator.

All applicants much identify at least one 

outcome and indicator from the list

 below that will be addressed through 

their grant projects. Applicants will need 

to establish baseline numbers and/or 

estimate realistic target numbers for the 

outcome(s) and indicator(s) they select. 

Below are outcomes and indicators and 

some guidelines on how to collect data 

on the outcomes and indicators.

Page 1
indicator 1.5

Increased sales measured in

• 1.5a: Dollars

• 1.5b: Percent change, or

• 1.5c: Combination of volume and average price 

as a result of enhanced marketing activities

Data Collection Tip

Data on increased sales can be collected from 

relevant producers or other stakeholders 

engaged by the grant recipient as part of the 

established project. Recipients should compare 

baseline sales to sales data after their marketing 

campaign is concluded. Recipients can 

encourage producers or other stakeholders to 

share sales data in the following ways:

Education:

Educate producers on how their data is being 

used, the purpose of the data collection,

 importance of data collection, etc. 

Transparency: 

Increase transparency through the use of clear, 

easy to understand contracts, data-use 

agreements, etc. Ensure producers/stakeholders 

fully understand the contract prior to signing. 

Trust: 

Build trust with producers/stakeholders by 

highlighting shared core values, interests, 

commitments to common causes and the 

mutual benefits of sharing information (show 

direct, tangible benefits to producers, such as 

financial 

sustainability, training, etc.). 

Other Best Practices:

If possible, recipients can develop privacy 

policies to keep producer/stakeholder identities 

anonymous. AMS should work with recipients to

facilitate trust building and educate recipients on 

how sales data is used by AMS. 

indicator 1.3

Number of additional specialty crop 

customers counted

Data Collection Tip

Data on number of additional specialty crop 

customers can be collected by establishing 

customer “head count” baselines at the beginning 

of the grant period and noting whether growth 

occurs consistent with estimates and grant 

program 

indicator 1.4

Number of additional business 

transactions executed

Data Collection Tip

Data on number of additional specialty crop 

transactions can be collected by establishing 

transaction count baselines at the beginning of 

the grant period and noting whether growth 

occurs consistent with estimates and grant

 program activities. Recipients might also track 

average price per transaction, to ensure that 

overall consumption is increasing, rather than 

merely more frequent, smaller transactions. 

Business transactions encompass both online and 

in-person transactions. 

Page 2
indicator 2.1

Number of stakeholders that gained 

technical knowledge about producing, 

preparing, procuring, and/or 

accessing specialty crops 

Data Collection Tip

Measuring the number of stakeholders that 

gained knowledge about producing, preparing, 

procuring, and/or accessing specialty crops will 

vary depending on recipient activities and types 

of stakeholders engaged. The “Data Collection 

Considerations” section within the Program 

Evaluation Framework outlines methods for 

measuring knowledge gain through surveys, 

separate studies, measuring digital traffic, and 

tracking transactions and/or returning customers. 

Recipients who are required to collect this data 

will identify an appropriate method for 

establishing baseline and updated knowledgerelated data to report on this indicator.

indicator 2.2

Number of stakeholders that reported 

producing, preparing, procuring, and/

or accessing more specialty crops

Data Collection Tip

Measuring the number of stakeholders who 

reported producing, preparing, procuring and/or 

accessing more specialty crops will vary 

depending on recipient activities and types of 

stakeholders engaged. The “Data Collection 

Considerations” section within the Program 

Evaluation Framework outlines methods for 

measuring these metrics through surveys, 

separate studies, measuring digital traffic, and 

tracking transactions and/or returning customers. 

Recipients who are required to collect this data 

will identify an appropriate method for 

establishing baseline and updated data to report 

on this indicator.

Outcome 2: Increasing Access to Specialty Crops and Expanding 

Specialty Crop Production and Distribution

Page 3
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indicator 2.3

Total number of market access points 

for specialty crops developed or 

expanded___. Of those,

i

• 2.3a: The number of new online portals created 

to sell specialty crops,

• 2.3b: The number with expanded seasonal 

availability,

• 2.3c: The number of existing market access 

points that expanded specialty crop offerings,

• 2.3d: The number of new market access points 

Data Collection Tip

Data on indicators 2.3-2.3d can be collected by 

establishing baselines at the beginning of the 

grant period and tracking whether growth 

occurred consistent with grant program activities. 

For 2.3d, recipients should note at the beginning 

of the grant period which access points that did 

not have established specialty crop offerings were 

targeted to expand their product line to include 

specialty crops. 

indicator 2.4

Number of stakeholders that gained 

knowledge about more efficient and 

effective distribution systems

Data Collection Tip

Measuring the number of stakeholders who 

gained knowledge about more efficient and 

effective distribution systems will vary depending 

on recipient activities and types of stakeholders 

engaged. The ”Data Collection Considerations” 

section within the Program Evaluation Framework 

outlines methods for measuring knowledge gain 

through surveys, separate studies, measuring 

digital traffic, and tracking transactions and/or 

returning customers. Recipients who are required 

to collect this data will identify an appropriate 

method for establishing baseline and updated 

knowledge-related data to report on this 

indicator. 

indicator 2.5

Number of stakeholders that adopted 

best practices or new technologies to 

improve distribution systems 

Data Collection Tip

Data on number of stakeholders that adopted 

best practices or new technologies to improve 

distribution systems can be collected by 

establishing counts of producers, processors, 

distributors, or other stakeholders that 

adopted these practices and technologies 

within an organization, in collaboration with other 

organizations, and/or on behalf of other partner 

organizations after receiving services supported 

by the grant. Improvement can be measured by: 

increased volume and/or capacity to move 

volume, increased speed, waste reduction, 

decreased distance between point of production 

and point of sale, decreased time spent, higher 

quality technology/infrastructure, etc.
indicator 2.6

Total number of partnerships 

established between producers, 

distributors, and/or other relevant 

intermediaries related to distribution 

systems ___. 

• 2.6a: Of those established, number formalized 

with written agreements (i.e. MOU’s, signed 

contracts, etc.)

• 2.6b: TOf those established, number of 

partnerships with underserved organizations 

indicator 2.7

Total number of new/improved 

distribution systems developed___. Of 

those, the number that

• 2.7a: Stemmed from new partnerships

• 2.7b: Increased efficiency

• 2.7c: Reduced costs

• 2.7d: Increased specialty crop grower 

participation

• 2.7e: Expanded customer reach

• 2.7f: Increased online presence

Data Collection Tip

Data on partnerships established can be 

collected by establishing counts of partnerships 

formed informally (noting in-person handshake 

agreements and partnerships formed via phone, 

email, etc.), and formally (noting number of 

MOU’s or contracts signed). Stakeholders should 

refer to the definition of underserved 

organizations to accurately report counts of 

agreements made with this population.

Data Collection Tip

Data for 2.7a-2.7f can be collected by 

establishing baselines of the required metrics 

prior to the establishment of new/improved 

distribution models, channels, or networks at 

the beginning of the grant period and noting 

whether an increase or decrease in that metric 

occurred. 

2.7a Systems stemming from new partnerships 

can be measured by tracking which partnerships 

resulted in new or improved distribution systems 

after receiving services supported by the grant.

2.7b Efficiency can be measured by evaluating 

the ratio of inputs (labor, time, resources, etc.) 

to outputs (product), speed, waste reduction, 

capacity to move volume, decreased distance 

between point of production and point of sale, 

decrease time spent, etc.

2.7c Reduction in costs can be determined by 

comparing distribution costs prior to grant 

program involvement with those after 

implementing a new or enhanced system, 

model, or network. 

2.7d Specialty crop grower participation can be 

measured by comparing the number of 

growers encompassed by the relevant 

distribution system(s) prior to the grant program 

with the number after new or improved systems 

were developed.

2.7e Expanded customer reach can be measured 

by noting the number of customers or markets 

(virtual or physical) engaged at locations along or 

endpoints of distribution systems and comparing 

if growth occurred. 

2.7f Online presence can be measured by 

establishing counts of websites, social media 

platforms, frequency of social media posts, 

online blogs, web articles, etc. 

Page 5
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indicator 2.8

Number of specialty crop-related jobs i

• 2.8a: Created

• 2.8b: Maintained

Data Collection Tip

Data on specialty crop-related jobs created or 

maintained can be collected by establishing 

baselines of the number of jobs at the beginning 

of the grant period. Growth (or maintenance) can 

be discerned by monitoring specialty crop-related 

job numbers after receiving services supported 

by the grant. Specialty crop-related jobs should 

be monitored through the organizations’ payroll. 

Stakeholders should refer to the definition of jobs, 

which discerns between “created” and 

“maintained,” to accurately report this data. 

Recipients can determine jobs according to the 

number of full-time employees (FTEs) within an 

organization, in collaboration with other 

organizations, and/or on behalf of other partner 

organizations. FTEs can be calculated based on 

the average number of hours worked by an FTE 

per year or per month, depending on what’s 

most appropriate for a recipients’ project (e.g., if a 

recipient employs mostly seasonal workers or has 

subrecipients that only participate in the project 

or report on project involvement for a certain 

number of months, they may choose to calculate 

FTEs per month). See below for suggested 

calculation options.

Calculating FTEs per year: 

Generally, 2,080 hours per year is standard; 

however, recipients can refer to state/local policy 

codes to approximate standard FTE hours. 

Step 1: Determine number of labor hours 

resulting from project activities for the year. 

Step 2: Divide result of step 1 by the total standard 

FTE count of hours per year.

Calculating FTEs per month:

Step 1: Determine the number of FTEs who work 

30+ hours per week per month during the 

measurement period. 

Step 2: Determine the total part-time and 

seasonal hours worked per week per month 

during the previous year and divide by 120

Step 3: Add up the subtotal in steps 1 and 2, then 

divide by 12 to determine the number of FTEs.

indicator 2.9

Total number of new individuals who 

went into specialty crop production as 

a result of marketing ___. Of those, the 

number who arei

• 2.9a: Beginning farmers or ranchers

• 2.9b: Socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers

Data Collection Tip

Data on number of developed strategic plans 

can be collected by establishing counts of plans 

developed within an organization, in 

collaboration with other organizations, and/or on 

behalf of other partner organizations after 

receiving services supported by the grant.

indicator 2.10

Number of market access points that 

reported increased

• 2.10a: Revenue

• 2.10b: Sales, and/or

• 2.10c: Cost-savings

Data Collection Tip

Data on 2.10a-2.10c can be collected by 

establishing baselines of the required data at the 

beginning of the grant period and noting if there 

was an increase in any of the metrics

 consistent with estimates and grant program 

activities. Sales and revenue data can be tracked 

by noting change in dollar amounts, percentages, 

or a combination of volume and average price. 

Specialty crop businesses are not required to 

report a numeric value, so reluctance to share 

financial data should not impact this reporting 

requirement.
Outcome 3: Increase Food Safety Knowledge and Processes

Page 7

indicator 3.1

Number of stakeholders that gained 

knowledge about prevention, 

detection, control, and/or 

intervention food safety practices, 

including relevant regulations (to 

mitigate risks and/or to improve their 

ability to comply with the Food Safety 

Modernization Act (FSMA) and/or meet 

the standards for aligned third party 

food safety audits such as Harmonized 

GAP/GHP)

Data Collection Tip

Measuring the number of stakeholders that 

gained knowledge about prevention, detection, 

control, and/or intervention food safety 

practices will vary depending on recipient 

activities and types of stakeholders engaged. The 

“Data Collection Considerations” section 

within the Program Evaluation Framework 

outlines methods for measuring knowledge gain 

through surveys, separate studies, measuring 

digital traffic, and tracking transactions and/or 

returning customers. Recipients who are required 

to collect this data will identify an appropriate 

method for establishing baseline and updated 

knowledge-related data to report on this 

indicator. Note that recipients should not 

double-count between those who gained

 knowledge through diverse mediums, those who 

received food safety certifications (recommended 

indicator 3.6), and those formally trained 

(recommended indicator 3.4).

indicator 3.2

Number of stakeholders that

• 3.2a: Established a food safety plan, and/or

• 3.2b: Revised or updated their food safety plan

Data Collection Tip

Data on number of food safety plans established 

or updated/revised can be collected by 

establishing counts of stakeholders who 

established food safety plans or alternately 

tracking internal or external reviews of 

pre-existing plans or completing food safety 

updates within an organization, in collaboration 

with other organizations, and/or on behalf of 

other partner organizations after receiving 

services supported by the grant.
indicator 3.4

Number of prevention, detection, 

control, or intervention practices 

developed or enhanced to mitigate 

food safety risks 

Data Collection Tip

Data on number of practices, tools, or 

technologies developed or enhanced for 

foodborne threats can be collected by 

establishing counts of prevention, detection, 

control, or intervention practices, tools, or 

technologies developed within an organization, in 

collaboration with other organizations, and/or on 

behalf of other partner organizations after 

receiving services supported by the grant.

Page 8

indicator 3.3

Number of specialty crop 

stakeholders who implemented new/

improved prevention, detection, 

control, and intervention practices, 

tools, or technologies to mitigate food 

safety risks (and/or to improve their 

ability to comply with the Food Safety 

Modernization Act (FSMA) and/or meet 

the standards for aligned third party 

food safety audits such as Harmonized 

GAP/GHP)

Data Collection Tip

Data on stakeholders trained in early detection 

and rapid response can be collected by 

establishing counts of stakeholders that 

completed training programs, courses, etc. within 

an organization, in collaboration with other 

organizations, and/or on behalf of other partner 

organizations after receiving services supported 

by the grant. Recipients reporting on this indicator 

should not double-count between stakeholders 

who gained knowledge (recommended indicator 

4.1). Stakeholders trained in third-party food safety 

certifications can serve as an appropriate proxy. 

Data on third-party food safety certifications can 

be collected by establishing baseline counts at 

the beginning of the grant period of stakeholder 

food safety certifications and noting whether 

growth or maintenance occurs consistent with 

estimates and grant program activities.

Data Collection Tip

Data on number of stakeholders who purchased 

or upgraded food safety equipment can be 

collected by establishing counts of equipment 

purchases and upgrades made by stakeholders 

after receiving services supported by the grant.

indicator 3.5

Number of stakeholders that used 

grant funds to

• 3.5a: Purchase or

• 3.5b: Upgrade food safety equipment
 Outcome 4: Improve Pest and Disease Control Process

indicator 4.1

Number of stakeholders that gained 

knowledge about science-based tools 

to combat pests and diseases

Data Collection Tip

Measuring the number of stakeholders that 

gained knowledge about science-based tools to 

combat pests and diseases will vary depending 

on recipient activities and types of stakeholders 

engaged. The “Data Collection Considerations” 

section within the Program Evaluation Framework 

outlines methods for measuring knowledge gain 

through surveys, separate studies, measuring 

digital traffic, and tracking transactions and/or 

returning customers. Recipients who are required 

to collect this data will identify an appropriate 

method for establishing baseline and updated 

knowledge-related data to report on this 

indicator.

indicator 4.2

Number of stakeholders that adopted 

pest and disease control best 

practices, technologies, or innovations 

Data Collection Tip

Data on stakeholders that adopted best 

practices, technologies, or innovations can be 

collected by establishing counts of stakeholders 

that incorporated a new best practice, 

technology or innovation within their new or 

existing pest and disease control processes after 

receiving services supported by the grant.

Page 9
Page 10

indicator 4.3

Number of stakeholders trained in 

early detection and rapid response 

practices to combat pests and 

diseases, and of those

i

• 4.3a: The number of additional acres managed 

using integrated pest management.

Data Collection Tip

Data on stakeholders trained in early detection 

and rapid response can be collected by 

establishing counts of stakeholders that 

completed training programs, courses, etc. 

within an organization, in collaboration with 

other organizations, and/or on behalf of other 

partner organizations after receiving services 

supported by the grant. Recipients reporting on 

this indicator should not double-count between 

stakeholders who gained knowledge 

(recommended indicator 4.1).

indicator 4.4

Number of stakeholders that 

implemented new diagnostic systems, 

methods, or technologies for 

analyzing specialty crop pests and 

diseases

Data Collection Tip

Data on producers implementing new pest and 

disease diagnostic systems, methods, and 

technologies can be collected by establishing 

counts of producers that implemented new 

systems, methods, and technologies within their 

new or existing pest and disease control 

processes after receiving services supported by 

the grant.
Page 11

indicator 4.5

Total number of producers/processors that enhanced or maintained pest 

and disease control practices ___. Of 

those, the number that reported I

• 4.5a: Reduction in product lost to pest and

diseases

• 4.5b: Improved crop quality

• 4.5c: Reduction in labor costs

• 4.5d: Reduction in pesticide use

indicator 4.6

Number of producers/processors 

improving the efficiency of pest and 

disease control diagnostics and 

response testing, as reported by

• 4.6a: Improving speed

• 4.6b: Improving reliability

• 4.6c: Expanding capability

• 4.6d: Increasing testing (i.e. survey work for

pests)

Data Collection Tip

Data on 4.5a-4.5d can be collected by 

establishing baselines for data relevant to 

selected sub-indicators at the beginning of the 

grant period and noting an increase or decrease 

in any of the metrics after receiving services 

supported by the grant.

Data Collection Tip

Data on 4.6a-4.6d can be collected by 

establishing baselines for data relevant to 

selected sub-indicators at the beginning of the 

grant period and noting an increase or decrease 

in any of the metrics after receiving services 

supported by the grant.
Outcome 5: Develop New Seed Varieties and Specialty Crops

indicator 5.1

Number of cultivar and/or variety 

trials conducted, of those I

• 5.1a: the number that advanced to further 

stages of development

Data Collection Tip

Data on cultivar and/or variety trials conducted 

can be collected by establishing counts of trials 

from relevant researchers and/or plant breeders 

engaged by the grant recipient as part of the 

established project.

indicator 5.2

Number of cultivars and/or seed 

varieties developed

Data Collection Tip

Data on developed cultivars and/or seed varieties 

can be collected by establishing counts of 

developed varieties/cultivars after receiving 

services supported by the grant.

indicator 5.3

Number of cultivars and/or seed 

varieties released

Data Collection Tip

Data on released cultivars and/or seed 

varieties can be collected by establishing counts 

of released varieties/cultivars after receiving 

services supported by the grant.

Page 12
indicator 5.4

Number of growers adopting new 

cultivars and/or varieties

Data Collection Tip

Data on adoption of cultivars and/or seed 

varieties can be collected by establishing counts 

of growers that received/adopted the new 

cultivars/seed varieties. AMS can conduct further 

studies to measure level of expansion of new 

cultivar/seed variety adoption that extends

 beyond the grant period. 

indicator 5.5

Number of acres planted with new 

cultivars and/or varieties 

Data Collection Tip

Data on cultivars and/or seed varieties planted 

can be collected by establishing counts of acres 

planted with adopted cultivars/seed varieties 

reported up from growers engaged by the grant 

recipient within an organization, in collaboration 

with other organizations, and/or on behalf of 

other partner organizations after receiving 

services supported by the grant. AMS can 

conduct further studies to measure level of 

expansion of acres planted with cultivar/seed 

varieties that extends beyond the grant period. 

Page 13
Outcome 6: Expand Specialty Crop Research and Development 

indicator 6.1

Number of research goals 

accomplished

Data Collection Tip

Data on research goals accomplished can be 

collected by establishing counts of 

accomplished research goals of those 

established at the start of the grant period.

indicator 6.2

 For research conclusions, the 

number that

I

• 6.2a: Yielded findings that supported continued 

research

• 6.2b: Yielded findings that led to completion of 

study

• 6.2c: Yielded findings that allow for

 implementation of new practice, process or 

technology

Data Collection Tip

Data for 6.2a-6.2c can be collected by 

establishing counts of the required metrics as 

researchers progress through the research 

process.

indicator 6.3

Number of industry representatives 

and other stakeholders who engaged 

with research results 

Data Collection Tip

Data on research goals accomplished can be 

collected by establishing counts of 

accomplished research goals of those 

established at the start of the grant period.

Page 14
indicator 6.3

Number of industry representatives 

and other stakeholders who engaged 

with research results 

Data Collection Tip

Data on number of people who engaged with 

research results can be collected by relevant 

stakeholders within an organization, in 

collaboration with other organizations, and/or 

on behalf of other partner organizations after 

receiving services supported by the grant. 

Engagement can be measured in the following 

ways:

Tracking partners and collaborators that 

engaged with research via the method used 

to share the information (i.e., number of email 

recipients, number of collaborators given access 

to shared drives, etc.).

Tracking the number of poster sessions where 

research was presented and the number of 

attendees that viewed the poster presentation 

during the session. Estimates can also be 

generated based on number of conference 

attendees, which can be provided by conference 

organizers, and the average number of poster 

presentation viewers during a given presentation.

Tracking the number of conferences or 

presentations where research was presented 

and the number of attendees, which can be 

provided by conference/presentation organizers.

Tracking the number of online repositories

used to share research and the associated online 

engagement. Online repository sites can track 

online traffic, visitors, referring sites, and popular 

content with those with access.

Tracking the number of public forums used to 

share research. Tracking engagement will 

depend on the type of public forum used. 

Recipients can work with the public forum for 

best ways to track engagement (e.g., a public 

library can provide data on how many visitors 

“checked out” the research)

indicator 6.4

Total number of research outputs 

published to industry publications 

and/or academic journals ___. For 

Each published research output, the

I

• 6.4a: Number of views/reads of published 

research/data

• 6.2b: Number of citations counted

*For research outputs published formally to 

academic publications, recipients should note 

publication information, so AMS can track 

leadership and citation numbers after the end of 

the grant period.

Data Collection Tip

Data for 6.4a-6.4b can be collected through 

academic journals which can provide data on 

number of article views, article downloads, 

number of citations, etc. It is recommended that 

stakeholders use reputable academic journals 

with this standard practice. AMS can conduct 

further studies to evaluate research impact that 

extends beyond the grant period. 

Page 15
indicator 7.1

Number of stakeholders that gained 

knowledge about environmental 

sustainability best practices, tools, 

or technologies 

Data Collection Tip

Measuring the number of stakeholders that 

gained knowledge about environmental 

sustainability best practices, tools, or 

technologies will vary depending on recipient 

activities and types of stakeholders engaged. The 

“Data Collection Considerations” section 

within the Program Evaluation Framework 

outlines methods for measuring knowledge gain 

through surveys, separate studies, measuring 

digital traffic, and tracking transactions and/or 

returning customers. Recipients who are required 

to collect this data will identify an appropriate 

method for establishing baseline and updated 

knowledge-related data to report on this 

indicator.

indicator 7.2

Number of stakeholders reported 

with an intent to adopt environmental 

sustainability best practices, tools, 

or technologies 

Data Collection Tip

Measuring the number of stakeholders reported 

with an intent to adopt environmental 

sustainability best practices, tools, or technologies 

will vary depending on recipient activities and 

types of stakeholders engaged. The “Data 

Collection Considerations” section within the 

Program Evaluation Framework outlines methods 

for measuring intention through surveys, 

separate studies, measuring digital traffic, and 

tracking transactions and/or returning customers. 

Recipients who are required to collect this data 

will identify an appropriate method for 

establishing baseline and updated 

intention-related data to report on this indicator.

Outcome 7: Improve Environmental SUstainability of Specialty 

Crops

Page 16

Data Collection Tip

Data on producers that adopted best practices 

and new technologies can be collected by 

establishing counts of producers that 

implemented new sustainable best practices and 

technologies within their production processes 

within an organization, in collaboration with other 

organizations, and/or on behalf of other partner 

organizations after receiving services supported 

by the grant. Producers should refer to the 

definition of best practice for accurate reporting 

on this indicator. 

indicator 7.3

Number of producers that adopted 

environmental best practices or tools
indicator 7.4

Number of new tools/technologies 

developed or enhanced to 

improve sustainability/ conservation 

or other environmental outcomes

Data Collection Tip

Data can be collected by establishing counts 

of sustainability tools/technologies that were 

developed or enhanced within an organization, 

in collaboration with other organizations, and/

or on behalf of other partner organizations after 

receiving services supported by the grant.

indicator 7.5

Number of additional acres managed 

with sustainable practices, tools, or 

technologies that focused on

I

• 7.5a: Water quality/ conservation

• 7.5b: Soil health

• 7.5c: Biodiversity

• 7.5d: Reduction in energy use

• 7.5e: (Optional) Other positive environmental 

outcomes

Data Collection Tip

Data on 7.5a-7.5e can be collected by 

establishing baselines of acres managed with 

sustainable practices, tools, or technologies at 

the beginning of the grant period and noting 

an expansion of acreage managed with these 

practices, tools, or technologies focused on the 

outlined sustainability metrics after receiving 

services supported by the grant. 

indicator 7.6

Number of additional acres 

established and maintained for the 

mutual benefit of pollinators/

specialty crops 

Data Collection Tip

Data on developed tools/technologies can be 

collected by establishing counts of acres 

established and maintained for the mutual 

benefit of pollinators/specialty crops within an 

organization, in collaboration with other 

organizations, and/or on behalf of other partner 

organizations after receiving services supported 

by the grant.

Page 17