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June 14, 2007: The calendar may say it’s
just past spring, but it feels a lot like deep summer to me.
Here in southeastern Pennsylvania, the weather is hot and
humid. We hadn’t had any substantial amount of rainfall
for weeks until we got a series of thunderstorms, starting
with one that dumped 3 inches in an hour or so.
Not exactly what we ordered when we asked for rain. (Somehow
the request got confused in the communication pipeline.) And
we certainly didn’t order the hail that came along with
the downpours. It chopped up head lettuce that was going to
be harvested last week in the first CSA distribution of the
season and dinged up some of our apples. Fortunately, the
corn was small enough to not be injured and the soybeans weren’t
out of the ground, so they were safe.
Besides unsettled weather and thunderstorms, summer brings
with it time to attend field days—those rare opportunities
to get off your own farm, leave your to-do list behind and
visit research farms, neighbors or other farmers who welcome
you to “come and see.”
These are great times to learn and ask questions about new
technologies, techniques, enterprises and farm practices.
From pasture walks to marketing talks to scientific studies,
there are literally dozens of learning activities right outside
your door.
I know what you’re thinking—“Who has time
for that?” I encourage you to take the time, find the
time, or make the time—but, by all means, go and learn.
How can you get the most out of your field day experience?
Having been on both ends of these activities, hosting and
attending, I can assure you they are a better venue than winter
PowerPoint presentations for getting first-hand information
and to see the results of particular operations for yourself,
especially if you follow some key tips.
So here are my seven steps for field day fulfillment:
1. Choose carefully.
It is important to pick and choose events that focus specifically
on the interests, crops, livestock or marketing plan most
relevant to your own operation, or possibly to changes you
are thinking about incorporation into your operation. This
way, you can maximize your experience and get the most information
for your time investment.
I specifically used the words “time investment”
because this truly should be thought of as an investment
in the future of your farm. In many cases the growth or
success of your farm depends on the adoption or adaptation
of new technologies, equipment or information into your
operation.
2. Do your homework.
That’s right—plan your questions in advance.
Taking on this additional effort before you arrive will
increase the chances you will feel the day away was worth
it on your way home. Think through the relevant changes
you’re considering. Weigh the pro’s and con’s
that you can imagine, determine what pieces of information
will help you make your decision and explore the secondary
impacts on the rest of your farm system. Formulate the questions
that will get at what you really need to know.
As a presenter, I can tell you that well-thought-out questions
go a long way to steering the discussion in productive directions.
They actually aid me in knowing what information will help
my audience. By taking the discussion beyond the basics,
everybody has a “value added” experience.
3. Don’t be
bashful.
Some folks don’t like speaking up in a crowd. Others
may feel that their question will seem foolish. Neither
feeling should keep you from speaking at a farm-centered
event meant for learning.
If you have a question or comment, you can be certain someone
else has it as well—but is even more bashful than
you are. If you feel better working one-on-one, stay behind
when the group moves on, and discuss the issue further with
the farmer or presenter. Their goal is to get you the information
you need, so pick their brain while you have the chance.
If lots of people linger and you don’t get face time
with the presenter, jot them a note with your contact information
for follow-up later.
Everybody has to apply what they see at the field day to
their own farm and future. Questions that help with this
adaptation-and-imagination process will help everybody.
4. Be a good listener.
It’s easy to miss comments, questions from the audience
or discussion points addressed on a chart. Be as attentive
as possible. This is your opportunity to gather the information
you’ll be putting to work down the road on your own
farm. If you’ve arrived at the start of a presentation
and paid close attention, you can be more confident that
your questions will let the presenter cover new ground.
5. Be prepared to
be amazed.
Don’t be so focused on what you think you came to
learn that you miss out on some unexpected treasure. An
open mind will be a useful tool as you explore new ideas.
6. Make friends.
Farmers are all here to learn and to share; in fact, information
sharing in the sustainable agriculture community is a big
deal. New farmers who are willing to discuss “what
they don’t know” can nearly always find a veteran
willing to honor their effort with generous help and counsel.
Livestock producers exploring grass-based systems frequently
form local grazier groups that rotate hosting pasture walks
to support one another in the steep learning curves each
is bound to encounter.
Go ready to engage people who asked the question you wanted
to ask, who live close to you or who just seem like the
kind of person you would enjoy keeping in touch with in
your farming enterprises.
7. Take notes.
No matter how good your memory is (mine is terrible), you’ll
undoubtedly forget some details (seeding rates, a phone
number, material source, etc.), equipment manufacturer’s
contact information or another piece of vital data. Nothing
fancy here; a piece of paper and a pencil will do just fine.
Armed with these tools and a desire to learn, you’ll
be able to cash in on this “time investment” in
the future months and years. As we all learn together, see
you at a field day!
From One Farm to Another.
Jeff
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