HMI completed our second online course as part of our Whole Farm Planning Program for Agricultural Educators funded by The Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) Professional Development Program. The course began in March 2014 with 29 participants from 11
different states. This course provides key land planning principles and practices to help participants facilitate conversations with producers about land planning decisions they are considering. This simple approach to land planning helps agricultural educators and producers explore key infrastructure/land improvement projects in the context of a whole farm/ranch goal. Participants developed management consideration lists, land plan options and explored tool options and the return on investment of the different land planning options.
After surveying the participants, a high number of folks experienced knowledge and behavior changes as noted below.
HMI thanks WSARE for their funding of this program.
Testimonials:
Featured Participant
For thirteen years Patty has been a watershed coordinator and then a conservation programs manager for the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (RCD). She serves as a technical peer reviewer for the North Coast Resource Partnership, as well as participant in the Wood for Salmon Workgroup. Patty’s at the RCD includes developing landowner relationships and restoration projects—as well as informing public policy and streamlining the permit process for landscape-level conservation efforts. She is involved in planning for the RCD’s ownership and management of the largest mitigation project ever conducted in northern California by the California Department of Transportation. Two years ago Patty attended a Holistic Management course and was intrigued with the possibilities of applying the principles to a wider audience, and its potential for building stronger families, communities, and ecosystems.