2002 Annual Report for ES02-061
A Statewide Journey of Sustainable Success: Hands-On Training
Objectives/Performance Targets
The following seven objectives were outlined in the project proposal:
Improve general understanding of sustainable agriculture in Tennessee
Increase the resource base of sustainable agriculture contacts
Broaden agricultural leaders' sustainable agriculture comfort zone by showing successes of economic, environmental and social impacts that have resulted from sustainable, value-added and niche-marketing agriculture
Enhance the retention and likelihood of implementation by participants by providing real examples, stories and testimonies of sustainable, value-added and niche-marketing agriculture
Increase the awareness in local communities of sustainable, value-added and niche-marketing agriculture
Create a state-wide awareness of sustainable, value-added and niche-marketing agriculture
Develop brief, effective and implementable plan of work to involve sustainable agriculture in existing program areas
Accomplishments/Milestones
The objectives and performance targets for this project have been addressed through the multi-agency planning and implementation of a training tour and the development of a hands-on training manual. The overall “Statewide Journey” program was based on a complete educational training program involving the development and use of a specific training manual, distribution and dissemination of educational information and materials through a training tour. The program has involved the work of 5 planning teams (involving 57 members) and 3 implementation teams (involving 51 members). A total of 93 individuals participated in various levels of the training – 5 of these represent the media and are planning multiple mass media efforts resulting from the training program. The program’s steering committee (16 members) identified topics, presenters and tour stops to include in the training and managed all the program details. The tour application team (17 members) worked to develop the delegate application form, criteria for delegate selection and promoted the opportunity for delegate applications. The delegate selection team (6 members) reviewed delegate applications and selected delegates. The training-manual team (6 members) wrote case studies, assembled presentation summaries and fact sheets and administered the layout, design and publication of the training manual. The pre-tour planning team (12 members) identified detailed and strategic opportunities for maximum training effectiveness and efficiency. The teaching team (29 members) provided 6 on-site tour stops, conducted 7 presentations, distributed 19 educational materials and utilized the training manual to direct specific instruction. The hosts teams (12 members) made local media arrangements, facilitated meal and training arrangements and provided input on local resources. Other leaders (10 members) provided various support, information and transition during the training.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
Unable to report at this time.