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Addendum
Here’s a checklist in the rough order that you should think of things in. Check them off as you go!
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Determine where the workshop will be held (based on need, interest, resource issues
and opportunities).
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Determine the learning outcomes based on who the trainees will be, their background, their
purpose in participating in the workshop and refine instruction to be relevant to the specific
group.
□
Determine what facilities (lodging, food, classroom) will be needed
and where for trainees and trainers.
□
Do an initial assessment of the location’s agricultural and resource setting.
•
What agricultural systems are there (cropland, grazing, irrigated, specific crops)?
•
What are the resource conditions, including soils, climate, growing season,
accessibility, etc. (problems, opportunities, conditions, unique features)?
□
Make some initial contacts with potential sponsors of the workshop (classroom and field).
Meet with local collaborators and discuss plans and thoughts on what outcomes are desired.
□
Set up a site visit for the workshop several weeks in advance.
□
Modify and adapt training materials and discussion to address the agricultural systems
and resource setting.
How to Plan an On-Ranch/Farm Workshop
Questions asked during workshop registration
1.
Think about land that you have lived or worked on or otherwise come to
know. What aspects of your experience relate to healthy soils? What is the
context (ecological, economic, and social) of those experiences?
2.
What are your expectations for this workshop?
3.
What are your individual goals related to soil health?
4.
What are some key questions that you have about soil health?
5.
What concerns do you have about adopting soil health practices?
6.
How would you describe your operation? Ranch or farm?
Irrigated or Nonirrigated? Owned or leased?