05.07.2014 SE HUB TELECONFERENCE NOTES

SE REGIONAL HUB TEAM TELECONFERENCE

May 7, 2014

Present:

/ Lisa Holscher, IASWCD / CCSI
Meg Leader, ISDA
Jenna Nicholson, Decatur SWCD
Scott Sanders, Decatur SWCD
  1. Sampling / OnFarm Research
  • On Farm Network
  • 5 growers signed up in Decatur County, should have some from Bartholomew and Jennings Counties, too
  1. Workshops
  • Smiley Brothers
  • are one of new growers to On Farm Network group
  • Do a lot of hog manure applications
  • Use cover crops
  • Area SWCDs are looking at doing more field days with them, perhaps putting out demo plots.
  • August 26th – 27th Wenning – Frank Gibbs
  • When Roger Wenning gets to a stopping point in the field, he’ll sit down to work out Agenda, event details with local staff
  • Robert Zupancic is working on details for the NRCS meeting (27th)
  • Corn and Soy have committed $1200 to the event.
  • Alex Case, Premier Ag – good on soil health and cover crops. Will probably present alongside Roger.
  • Need to work out logistics to move from barn to soil pits
  • Stewart Seeds have school busses for detasseling crews
  • Scott Sanders has a chauffer’s license
  • There is an opportunity to cross-promote event in Delaware County on August 22nd, featuring Ray Archuleta
  • July 16th – Presentation and Media Skills
  • Pilot project put on in partnership with SARE
  • Fred Whitford is key presenter
  • Target Audience = conservation partnership fields staff, farmers who are giving soil health presentations.
  • Max target = 30
  • Ask local staff to suggest individuals to attend. Note – each agency has their own chain of command that will make final decisions.
  • Mix from each region (not hard and fast)
  • 2 NRCS
  • 2 Extension
  • 2 ISDA / SWCDs
  • 2 Farmers
  • Scott Sanders suggested Smiley Brothers as a potential attendee
  • Steve Gauck was suggested as a presentation “mentor” – Mentoring for presentations is a new idea – could have some great potential.
  • Selling Conservation
  • Developed and organized by ICP – How to talk to producers, “sell conservation” ranked high in Individual Development Plans
  • Have talked with CCSI – design both Presentation Skills and Selling Conservation as complementary trainings. Think Presentation Skills as “lecture” and Selling Conservation as working more one-on-one, identifying and overcoming obstacles to adoption of conservation practices
  • 2014 funds are available from the State Soil Conservation Board
  • Looking at Chuck Hitzman from Virginia as presenter / facilitator
  • Comes highly recommended – has done work in VA, MN
  • Focuses on 1-on-1 conversations that lead to more practice implementation
  • Either 1 or 2-day workshops
  • Prefers 24-30 people in classroom-type setting
  • Currently trying to determine registration fees – looking at $50
  • Scott and Jenna didn’t see the fee as being a problem
  • Ability to pay might be dependent on district
  • Use first event as a springboard for additional workshops and/or webinars