BEHAVE Facilitator's Network

2006 Annual Report for EW04-016

Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2004: $99,702.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2008
Matching Federal Funds: $22,000.00
Region: Western
State: Colorado
Principal Investigator:
Kathy Voth
Utah State University

BEHAVE Facilitator's Network

Summary

Project Summary for BEHAVE Facilitators Network

In 2006, we finished the BEHAVE Facilitators Network (BFN) Handbook. We held workshops for facilitators in Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho and Oregon. This year we trained 46 facilitators. Based on evaluations from participants, workshops were well organized and provided new and useful information. We also began work on the BEHAVE Facilitators Network website http://www.behave.net/BFN/BFN_facilitators.html.
In 2007, we are planning additional workshops for Washington, California, Nevada, Montana and Colorado.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Our primary objective is to educate state extension personnel and personnel from the Natural Resources Conservation Service about the power of using animal behavior to manage animals and agricultural and ecological systems.

To meet that end in 2006 we will:

1. Finish BEHAVE Facilitators Network Handbook

2. Conduct at least 5 workshops by the end of 2006

3. Create the BEHAVE Facilitators Network website.

4. Create additional examples and project updates in PowerPoint for recently trained facilitators.

Understanding how to shape animal behavior will ultimately help producers improve animal production, the land, and their economic viability.

Accomplishments/Milestones

1. Finished the BEHAVE Facilitators Handbook

We modified the notebook after receiving comments from state facilitators. The notebook includes: 1)a description of the BEHAVE Facilitators Network, 2) tips and hints for successful presentations and workshops, 3) information about learning styles and adoption of new information 4) copies of PowerPoint slides, 5) 26 fact sheets, 6) examples of applying behavior principles in livestock and wildlife management and 7) step-by step instructions for training animals for demonstrations. It also includes 3 CDs and 4 DVDs. CDs include: 1) 9 annotated slide shows that overview the principles of behavior, 2) an online course about behavior, 3) a video CD designed for producers entitled “Using livestock behavior on your operation”. DVDs include: 1) “Foraging behavior”, 2) “Turning cows into weed managers”, 3) video clips of animals demonstrating behavior principles, and 4) interviews with producers. The materials also include the booklet “Foraging Behavior: Managing to Survive in a World of Change”

2. Held workshops for six states.

We held workshops for facilitators in Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho and Oregon. In addition to the 10 state coordinators we trained in 2005, this year trained 46 additional facilitators. Based on evaluations from participants, workshops were well organized and provided new and useful information.

In 2007, we are planning additional workshops for Washington, California, Nevada, Montana and an additional training for Colorado because the Wyoming-Colorado Workshop was not well attended by educators from Colorado.

3. Created the BEHAVE Facilitators Network website.

We also began work on the BEHAVE Facilitators Network website: http://www.behave.net/BFN/BFN_facilitators.html.

The website includes: 1) a list of facilitators by state, 2) research updates from the BEHAVE project, 3) additional examples for facilitators, 4) pdf files of the BFN handbook, 5) presentation tips, and 6) workshop summaries.

Next year we will:

1. Conduct additional workshops in California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada and Washington.

2. Add more information to the BEHAVE Facilitators Website.

3. Follow-up with facilitators to see if and how they are using the information they received at their training.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

By December 2006:
We had trained 10 state coordinators and 46 facilitators.

We had distributed an additional 20 notebooks to various personnel working as educators.

Our workshop reviews have been very positive with several participants commenting that the BEHAVE Facilitators Workshop was one of the best trainings they had attended in a long time.

Educators in Nevada and Wyoming tell me that they have given several talks on the principles of animal behavior to producer groups in their states.

In 2007, we will follow-up with facilitators to see how the materials are being used and if any new practices are being implemented.

Collaborators:

Linda Hardesty

lhardest@mail.wsu.edu
Associate Professor
Washington State University
Johnson Hall, Rm 121
Pullman, WA 99164-6410
Office Phone: 5093356632
Beth Burritt

bethb@cc.usu.edu
Research Associate
Utah State University
5230 Old Main Hill
Department of Forest, Range and Wildlife Sciences
Logan, UT 84322-5230
Office Phone: 4357973576
Robbie LeValley

rblevall@coop.ext.colostate.edu
Area Extension Agent - Livestock and Range
Colorado State University
525 Dodge Street
Delta, CO 81416
Office Phone: 9708742195
Roger Banner

roger.banner@usu.edu
Range Extension Specialist
Utah State University
5230 Old Main Hill
Department of Forest, Range and Wildlife Sciences
Logan, UT 84322-5230
Office Phone: 4357972472
Hudson Hill

hrhill@uwyo.edu
University Extension Educator
University of Wyoming
UW/Lincoln County Extension
P.O. Box 309
Afton, WY 83110-0309
Office Phone: 3078853132
Jay Davison

jdavison@agntl.ag.unr.edu
Extension Educator,Area Plant and Soils Specialist
University of Nevada, Reno
111 Sheckler Rd
Fallon, NV 89406-8951
Office Phone: 7754235121
Tracy Brewer

tbrewer@montana.edu
Research Assistant Professor
Montana State University
Department of Animal and Range Sciences
235C Linfield Hall
Bozeman, MT 59717-2900
Office Phone: 4069942362
Roger Ingram

rsingram@ucdavis.edu
Farm Advisor
University of California, Davis
11477 E Ave
Auburn, CA 95603
Office Phone: 5308897385
Shannon Williams

shannonw@uidaho.edu
University of Idaho
201 Broadway
Salmon, ID 83467
Office Phone: 2087562827
Fred Provenza

stan@cc.usu.edu
Professor
Utah State University
5230 Old Main Hill
Department of Forest, Range and Wildlife
Logan, UT 84322-5230
Office Phone: 4357971604
Mike Borman

michael.borman@oregonstate.edu
Extension Rangeland Specialist
Oregon State University
202B Strand Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331-2281
Office Phone: 5417371614
Larry Howery

lhowery@ag.arizona.edu
Assistant Rangeland Extension Specialist
Universtiy of Arizona
School of Renewable Natural Resources
325 Bioscience East
Tucson, AZ 85721
Office Phone: 5206217277