Great feeling to close this week, having completed and turned in both my Section III Analysis Report and In-Person Presentation Report. I felt writing my analysis of the policy for mandatory water restrictions was the toughest assignment to date for this course. Putting my thoughts on paper was difficult, as I knew what my analysis was but it was difficult to put into logical sense. I hope that I managed to convey my analysis satisfactorily.
Overall, I feel my analysis shows that the policy is very dynamic and reaction and opinions on the policy are closely held by much of the public. Large entities, such as the Almond Board of California (ABC) and the Dairy Institute of California just do not want to make their opinion public. I attempted to several times to interview both being shuffled between a PR rep for ABC and a couple of people in management not responding at all. With the Dairy Institute I got no response at all after three attempts.
I am quite happy with the topic I chose, as it has given me the opportunity to learn a great deal about water management in my home state, California. I really feel quite versed in discussing the associated policies both state and local. I have found myself opening conversations with friends and acquaintances with the subject, which has led to some insightful rhetoric.
Last week I reported about my presentation and this week I submitted my report on it. The experience was really rewarding, knowing that I provided some pertinent and beneficial information to the business owners of my community. If anything, that made this course well worth my efforts. I am really enjoying how the flow of the assignments are expanding my knowledge of policy analysis and implementation.