Developing labor management expertise among agricultural advisors

Developing labor management expertise among agricultural advisors

Summary

This professional development project is designed to build capacity and expertise among Extension educators and other advisors that will enable them to effectively address labor management issues with their clientele. Of the 200 educators who participate in the project, 100 educators will report increased confidence in providing small group and individual support with labor management topics, 35 will publish articles on labor management in newsletters or other press, 20 will hold local meetings focused on labor management, and 10 will consult intensively with at least two producers to develop their labor management practices or tools. The project will incorporate variety, repetition, active learning, and continuing support in a coordinated series of learning opportunities. These opportunities include interactive seminars, successful farm tours, and follow-up telephone conference calls that provide additional content and the opportunity to discuss experiences and receive support from peer learners.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The overall objective of this project is to develop expertise in labor management among Extension educators and other agricultural advisors. Two hundred educators will attend educational seminars and farm tours, and 120 will participate in technology-enhanced conference calls that focus on specific labor management topics. Of the 200 educators who participate in the project, 100 educators will report increased confidence in providing small group and individual support with labor management topics, 35 will publish articles on labor management in newsletters or other press, 20 will hold local meetings focused on labor management, and 10 will consult intensively with at least two producers to develop their labor management practices or tools.

Accomplishments/Milestones

At this point we have only recently begun our program. We held one seminar and one farm tour for the New England states. Seventeen people attended the seminar and eight attended the farm tour. The Pennsylvania and New York seminars are planned to take place in April and May of 2007. We expect much better attendance at those locations.

Evaluations were very positive from those who attended the New England seminar.

A website with more details about upcoming events is located here: http://dairyalliance.psu.edu/conferences/advisers/

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

With only one portion of the project completed, we can report 17 people in attendance at the first seminar and 8 at the first tour. Follow up discussion groups will begin in 2007. Pennsylvania and New York seminars and tours will take place in April and May 2007.

Collaborators: