UNH and UVM Cooperative Extension, 2006 What We Have Learned from Our Farm Transfer Workshops Bob Parsons University of Vermont

Getting Started Define your program Define your program Lots of topics so identify what you are going to do Lots of topics so identify what you are going to do Coordinate with speakers Coordinate with speakers Repetition is OK Repetition is OK Include attorney & specialists Include attorney & specialists

UNH and UVM Cooperative Extension, 2006 Consider Presentation Style Involve the audience - Marsha Involve the audience - Marsha Plan exercises that promote discussion Plan exercises that promote discussion Use humor to take the edge off Use humor to take the edge off This is a serious topic – so lets make it fun This is a serious topic – so lets make it fun Use lots of “ War Stories” Use lots of “ War Stories” Examples - Bonanza Examples - Bonanza

UNH and UVM Cooperative Extension, 2006 Things to Consider in the Agenda Start off with family communication Start off with family communication Use family councilors, Family Living specialists Use family councilors, Family Living specialists Case studies – Get people to talk Case studies – Get people to talk Make use of meals as chance to talk Make use of meals as chance to talk Larger tables work for interaction Larger tables work for interaction Smaller tables keeps the family alone Smaller tables keeps the family alone

Be Objective and Balanced on Content Example – Conservation easements Speakers for land trusts present one side Are you presenting the other side? Other issues: Trusts, business organizations, etc. Make sure you are educating, not promoting!

UNH and UVM Cooperative Extension, 2006 Use Specialists, Especially an Attorney We are educators – not specialists Someone with speaking skills and knows Ag Common language in front of a group Watch for “fishing for clients” Anticipate questions on how to locate a knowledgeable professional

UNH and UVM Cooperative Extension, 2006 Use Farmer Panels Testimonials are great tools Testimonials are great tools Get view of parent, child, in-law Get view of parent, child, in-law Stories of success and failure Stories of success and failure What worked and what didn’t What worked and what didn’t What would you do differently What would you do differently Provide likely questions that may come up Provide likely questions that may come up Incentive that the task can be accomplished Incentive that the task can be accomplished

Fine Points to End the Workshop End on an upbeat note Provide participants with reading and reference material Who to contact for assistance Hand out your card! Let them know “They can do it!” They are not alone and help available!