Conservation Learning Circle Training For Facilitators/Group Leads
October 22, 1:00 pm to October 23, 2019, 1:00 pm
Country Inn and Suites, 3707 Route 281, Cortland, NY
Learning circles are an effective outreach and education tool. After attending just one learning circle, the Women Food and Agriculture Network has observed that 50-70% of participants take a conservation action. Through research conducted in Illinois and Indiana, AFT learned that 72% of women who attended a learning circle took a conservation action, with 32% of those landowners implementing a new conservation practice on their land.
Facilitators will learn how to:
¨ Organize a learning circle
¨ Establish connections within the group
¨ Use guided discussion to draw on knowledge within a group
¨ Employ demonstrations to enhance learning
¨ Select professional mentors
¨ Coach mentors to engage with participants
¨ Build learners’ confidence to change
¨ Evaluate knowledge gained
Educators who participate will engage in a train-the-trainer experience where you will practice using learning circle techniques. Internationally renowned and certified executive coach and leadership trainer Barbara Wycoff, from DYNAMICA Consulting, will lead the training. Experienced facilitators Jennifer Filipiak from American Farmland Trust and Joan Sinclair Petzen from CCE’s NWNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team will demonstrate their experience using learning circles with women farmers and landowners.
Tested model curriculum will be shared for topics like:
¨ Soil health
¨ Your Land as Your Legacy
¨ Sustainable Agricultural Leasing
¨ Holistic Management
¨ Sustainable Forest Management
¨ Income and Real Property Tax Concepts
Each participant will receive a flash drive complete with model learning circle outlines, training tips and a learning circle facilitators guide.
The Training, including meals, will be provided free of charge for 20 participants through funding provided by the Great Lakes Protection Fund as part of the Landowners and Farmers Partnering for Clean Water in the Great Lakes Project and NY Annie’s Project. Through the project we have funding for 10 rooms for lodging at the Country Inn and Suites. Participation in the full training from 12:30 pm on the 22nd through 1:00 pm on the 23rd including the evening discussion is strongly encouraged.
Register today at: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/LearningCircleFacilitatorOct19_10508. Room sharing will be used to help conserve on travel costs. If you prefer a single room, your lodging cost will be $70.00. This training is open to the first 20 educators who register. Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County at 585-786-2251 x123 no later than 5 days prior to event to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be met when possible.
For questions about the training please contact Joan Petzen, jsp10@cornell.edu, 585-786-2251 or Bonnie Collins, bsc33@cornell.edu, 315-736-3394.
Agenda
October 22, 12:30 PM – 8:00 PM
12:30 pm Registration
1:00 pm Welcome
1:15 pm History of Conservation Learning Circles: Why this Audience?
2:00 pm Learning Circle Introductions
3:00 pm Break
3:15 pm Four Steps to Adult Learning – Design Your Meeting
4:00 pm Recruitment of Learning Circle Participants
4:20 pm Preparing Technical Experts to Lead Learning Circle Discussions
5:00 pm Wrap up and Reflections on Today
5:30 pm Break
6:00 pm Group Dinner
7:00 pm Update on Annie’s Project – NY
7:30 pm Update on Pro-Dairy Peer-to-Peer Learn Groups
8:00 pm Adjourn
October 23, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
8:00 am Gather and Refresh Perspective
8:30 am Field Component: A Chance for Observation and Farmer Interaction
9:30 am Debrief Field Component: Trainer Reflections
10:00 am Break
10:15 am Model Wrap Up Discussion
11:00 am Ten Factors for Successful Design
11:15 am Create Your Own Learning Circle Experience – Small Group Activity
12:00 pm Lessons from Planning – Debrief of Create Your Own Learning Circle
12:15 pm Wrap Up Discussion and Closing
12:45 pm Adjourn – Lunch provided to share with group or take along for your travel home
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.
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