Understanding Local Priorities, Together
What Is a Needs Assessment?
A needs assessment is a structured process that helps communities, organizations, and educators identify the gaps between current conditions and desired outcomes. It asks the key question: “What do communities need, and how can those needs best be met?”
Needs assessments guide the development of programs, policies, and partnerships that are responsive, relevant, and community-informed. They help ensure that energy and resources are directed where they are needed most, and guide our advisors in how to best serve their local area.
Why They Matter
At UC ANR, Community Economic Development (CED) advisors use needs assessments as a first step to:
- Understand local economic and social conditions
- Identify shared goals and opportunities
- Set meaningful program objectives
- Build long-term, place-based solutions
Needs assessments are not one-size-fits-all. They may focus on:
- Broadband and digital access
- Workforce development
- Agricultural infrastructure
- Small business support
- Clean energy or water systems
- Cultural and community-led priorities
They may also be traditional (focused on what’s missing) or asset-based, highlighting what resources, organizations, and strengths already exist within a community.
Our Commitment to Collaboration
Our CED Lab Advisors believe that needs assessments are most powerful when they are done with communities, not just for them. That’s why we are committed to:
- Conducting needs assessments in partnership with local leaders, Tribal governments, organizations, and community members.
- Co-creating goals and strategies that reflect community voice and vision.
- Supporting locally led solutions with research, data, and UC ANR’s statewide resources.
How to Request a Needs Assessment
To request a needs assessment or learn more, please email us directly at ajzaragoza@ucanr.edu. A local advisor will follow up to learn more about your goals and how we can support your vision!
Needs Assessment Examples
This report summarizes the primary challenges reported by agricultural producers from Butte, Glenn, and Tehama counties who participated in an economics needs assessment survey. Respondents were asked to indicate the top three challenges impacting the future success of their operations and to suggest what the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) should focus on to improve the success of their operations.
This report documents the needs of the UC ANR Trinity County Community Economic Development (CED) advisor’s clientele. It also examines CED needs and priorities so the advisor’s responses address areas that will have the most impact and fulfill UC ANR's goals. This report uses secondary sources ranging from local economic development agency reports to statistics from federal agencies and 12 interviews conducted by the advisor in 2024-2025.
This report documents the needs of the Humboldt CED advisor’s clientele. It also examines CED needs and priorities so the advisor’s responses address areas they will have the most impact and fulfill the goals of UC ANR. This report uses secondary sources ranging from local economic development agency reports to statistics from federal agencies and 24 interviews conducted by the advisor in late 2024. Candidates were chosen by the advisor with input to represent the diverse interests and stakeholder groups in Humboldt.
This report documents Del Norte County's community and economic development (CED) needs and identifies clientele needs for the Del Norte UCCE CED advisor. The information is used to develop an applied research and extension education strategy for the advisor in Del Norte County.