Cultivating Success Instruction: Meeting Your Community’s Needs Kirsten C. Workman Small Farms Extension Educator Cultivating Success Instructor Training June 13, 2007 Ellensburg, WA

Sustainable Small Farm & Ranch Overview Course Advertising First Night Class Structure Scheduling Adapting the Curriculum Lessons Learned

Advertising Know your local media outlets: Local newspapers – befriend a reporter Local radio – be ready for an interview Newsletters – take advantage of existing postage Beat the Street Pre & Post Advertising Write your own articles & take your own pictures

First Night: Setting the Tone Pick the right location Create relationships/network opportunities early – Greeting Circle or other Ice Breakers Set ‘Ground Rules’ To Name Tag or not to Name Tag…that is the question Survey your course participants about their current knowledge and areas of interest Create a comfortable environment Keep it casual Food: dinnertime & busy schedules

Class Structure – Evening at-a-glance Review Last week’s assignments Reading, homework, questions Topic Include some discussion or ‘hands on’ group work Break Guest Speaker Find local farmers and try to coordinate your topics Break Second Topic – if applicable Homework Announcements Make this a time for participants to announce events, ‘for sale’, etc.

Scheduling Work with your speakers – plan ahead Be FLEXIBLE Adjust for speakers’ schedules Focus on participants areas of interest Make time for FIELDTRIPS!! Most impactful Coordinate to visit a speaker’s farm (class v. field) Target your dates on your audience If you are trying to reach folks already farming, you may have to start later in the fall or winter

Adapting the Curriculum Think outside the binder! Great framework and fantastic resources Doesn’t have to end there Soils example Utilize your local resources Take advantage of your expertise Be CREATIVE…if you are excited, your students will be too

Example: Ecological Soils Management Had all students collect a soil sample and bring it with them the first night Sent “Soil Sampling for Home Gardens and Small Acreages” (EC628) with confirmation letters Sent samples to A & L Lab to get back before Soils class Class Outline Review last week’s assignment/homework Topic: Ecological Soils Management – Instructor: Paul Feenan, High School Horticulture Teacher (and soil geek) Guest Farmer/Speaker: Ron Cummings, Olympic Mt Organic Farm & Nursery – mixes his own soil and organic fertilizers on WSDA Org. List. – One of FEW Organic Nurseries (and LOCAL) Activity: Interpret your soil test results – Find your soil in the soil survey – “Soil Test Interpretation Guide” (EC1478) – Discuss specific soil issues and potential ‘fixes’

Great way to discuss Community Food Security ‘Hands On’ way to hit home some of the course concepts Challenge activity; great discussion piece Gives them something to stay engaged in over holiday break Example: Thanksgiving Assignment

Example: Egg Carton Marketing Experiment

Lessons Learned Take your notebooks to Kinko’s!! Three-hole punch EVERYTHING! Keep your paperwork organized If you can, hire a Course Assistant Photocopy powerpoint handouts Once you find good speakers/farmers/field trip hosts, cultivate those relationships – they only get better If you get a bad speaker, kindly don’t invite them back Be your own best PR A Graduation Celebration is important – my favorite night

Continue the Learning Food & Farm Network Local Farm Walks Leverage your students as project volunteers Create an list Turn Students into Teachers Utilize your captive audience – don’t underestimate the power of a good survey!