The New York Animal Agriculture Coalition (NYAAC) and the American Dairy Association & Dairy Council (ADADC) will be conducting two training workshops this month to help owners of dairy and livestock farms learn how to host a successful farm tour. The four-hour long seminar will cover all aspects of farm tours from setting the date to messaging and parking cars. The workshop is free, includes lunch, and is scheduled for May 20 in Batavia and May 22 in Fonda. Reservations are required.
Monday, May 20, 2013 - 10:30am - 2:30pm
Bohn's Restaurant, 5256 Clinton St., Batavia
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - 10:30am - 2:30pm
The Winner's Circle, 3293 Route 5, Fonda
"Farm tours are one of the most effective ways to educate the public and positively influence their opinion about farming," said Jessica Ziehm, Executive Director of NYAAC. "These workshops will give participants the knowledge, resources and confidence to go home and organize an event for the public on their farm."
Whether hosting a kindergarten class for an hour or organizing a larger tour that is open to the general public, this workshop will go over all details needed, as well as ideas and suggestions to ensure a positive experience for both host farms and tour participants.
In the morning, ADADC and NYAAC will present a comprehensive to-do list of organizing, promoting and conducting a farm tour. All participants will be provided free take-home materials to use on a farm tour including a complete farm tour kit, a set of 10 educational farm tour signs, as well as promotional items such as pencils, erasers, coloring books, brochures and more.
After lunch, a panel of farm tour veterans will share their experiences with a variety of different types and sized farm tours. Those experts will be available for questions and answers following their presentations.
All farm owners and tour organizers in attendance will be entered into a drawing to win a free professional photography session, valued at over $500. The session will include portraits of the farm family, as well as detail shots of the farmstead, animals, fieldwork and more. One photography session will be given out at each workshop location.
Reservations are required by Monday, May 13, 2013. Please contact Jessica Ziehm at jaz67@cornell.edu to reserve your spot.
These workshops and farm tour signs provided are supported with funding from the United Soybean Board.
NYAAC is a farmer founded and funded organization that strives to enhance the public's understanding of and appreciation for animal agriculture and modern farm practices, of which ADADC is a member. ADADC is the region's dairy promotion organization that is funded by dairy farmer checkoff dollars and works to increase demand for domestically produced dairy products.
