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A. Teaching Methods
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Perform site visit and plan how it will work best (what, where, when, how).
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Get the word out to recruit participants. Include workshop outcomes and logistics, including
agenda, location, dates, times, and contact information for questions in promotional materials
and announcements. If applicable, provide pre-workshop reading or video materials.
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Arrange for support and accessibility services and facilities such as food and water, restrooms,
shade/shelter, parking, transportation, safety/first aid, and translation/interpretation.
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Discuss with the host rancher/farmer their goals, objectives, and resource needs, and conduct
preliminary resource inventory. Conduct assessments of soil health conditions in the field (i.e.
do a dry run of all the tests you intend to demonstrate during the workshop and record results
and observations). You may think of a project or resource that would be of benefit to the host
as well as educational for the group, such as cleaning an irrigation ditch or pruning an orchard.
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Arrange for tools to be used by participants to be on site (digging tools, soil health bucket, etc.).
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Develop additional exhibits and demonstrations (posters, flip charts, infiltration demonstration
trailer, etc.).
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Make arrangements and schedule activities with other instructors and support folks.
Include rancher’s/farmer’s experiences and discussion.
Materials and considerations for outdoor learning
Overall keep in mind that things will get wet, dirty, and blow away. There are no flat surfaces to
write on and folks likely won’t have paper and pens with them. Screens will be difficult to see.
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Flip charts (no powerpoint)
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Printed map of the property and/or region
(Google maps satellite view or Web Soil Survey map)
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Plastic sleeves for handouts that will be reused (you can write on them with a dry-erase
marker) and bind them together with a key ring.
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Binders, clipboards, or rocks so papers don’t blow away
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Pens, pencils, and paper for your participants
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Rocks to hold down any papers that might blow away
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A table can be helpful
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A small dry erase board or chalkboard for drawing diagrams
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If it is hot and there is not tree cover, you may need a large tent that won’t blow away.