Whole Farm Planning - Holistic Management

Whole Farm Planning - Holistic Management

Objectives/Performance Targets

Three performance targets were established for the project. They are as follows:

Target l. The 15 project participants receive training to teach and facilitate all Holistic Management (HM) processes. The 15 project participants teach HM processes to 15 Whole Farm Planning Groups (learning communities) consisting of 30 individuals (from the project participants’ sponsoring agencies/organizations) and 67 to 90 individuals representing 45 diversified northeast farms. HM processes are used to develop 45 Whole Farm Plans.

Target 2. Experiences of the Whole Farm Planning Groups and the Whole Farm Plans are documented by the 15 participants; focus on changes in farm practices, farm profitability, quality of life, natural resource conservation and vitality of the local community. Hard copy and online resources of the documentation are available through CES, NRCS and non-profit agricultural educational organizations. The 15 participants and the Whole Farm Planning Groups present their ongoing work during the NRCS / SoCNY RC & D’s Annual Farm Diversity Conferences.

Target 3. The 15 project participants successfully fulfill all requirements of the program, and become certified HM educators. The exponential effect of this training through further teaching, facilitation, and publications broadens the sustainable agriculture base in the region and continues to reach an estimated 75 to 200 people per year.

Accomplishments/Milestones

The project is on track for all three performance targets. A total of 18 participants, exceeding the target of 15, prepared for and attended the first residential training session October 27 – November 2, 2001. – Overview of the Holistic Management Model. In addition to learning and practicing facilitation of Holistic Management (HM) processes, the participants reviewed the requirements for their learning contracts, summaries of meetings with their learning communities, and case studies. To date, 15 of the 18 participants have submitted their learning contracts and identified their learning communities. 15 participants have had their first meeting and or initial session with their learning communities. The remaining three participants are working on finalizing their learning contracts, and two are working on identifying their learning communities.

Regarding Target 2, participants have begun initial written reviews of HM and learning group progress for the project mentor and project education director. Participants are receiving feedback for needed concentration of study and facilitation of Whole Farm Plans. Participants are also documenting experiences with their Whole Farm planning groups and Whole Farm Plans for review and planned presentations at the 2002, 2003 and/or 2004 Central New York RC&D Annual Farm Diversity Conferences.

A total of 18 participants are off to a good start to satisfy Target 3, and all 18 participants are on track to become certified educators in Holistic Management.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Participants initiated and set up their own list serve discussion group for the program on November 1, 2001. They are sharing experiences of their progress with their learning communities and with their own learning and integration of Holistic Management.

An outcome we stated in our oral interview in January 2001 was that our project would strengthen relationships among Cooperative Extension, NRCS, and other organizations that serve as a resource to communities and sustainable agriculture. This has begun with the networking in the learning communities the participants are engaged in and in the broader northeast network.

Collaborators: