January 2020
Natural Fibers Ecosystem Panel Discussion
Members of a pan-New England natural fibers group discuss building their unique commercial ecosystem from Vermont-based goat farmers, to loom operators in Massachusetts and clothier producers in Gardner. Find out how you can create your own grassroots commercial ecosystem. Networking and light fare 6:30-7:00 pm; panel discussion 7:00-8:00 pm. When: Friday, January 17, 2020 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST Where Wachusett Business Incubator 35 Sanborn Street Gardner, MA 01440 Driving Directions Click here to register. Contact Scott Graves…
Find out more »Pioneer Valley Regional Agricultural Conference
2020 Pioneer Valley Regional Agricultural Conference on January 18th from 9am to noon at the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton. This is a free event. Doors open at 8:30am. The snow date is on January 25th at the same time and place. Farmers, foresters, landowners, landscapers and others will have the opportunity to meet others in the field and discuss issues that concern them. We are very excited about our three presentations: Can Dairy Farms make it…
Find out more »February 2020
Managing across cultures with cultural dexterity and humility
Cultural dexterity and humility are key to being an effective farm manager, especially when managing across cultural and racial differences. Presenter Lakisha Coppedge of Coppedge Consulting will provide tools to help you build awareness of your own culture, privileges, and assumptions; develop your ability to listen to and learn from others; reflect on your own cross-cultural experiences; and learn from your mistakes. This session will increase your awareness of how power imbalances can impact understanding and communication on farms and…
Find out more »Conflict resolution skills for supervisors
Gain and practice skills that will help you set the groundwork for positive workplace relationships with your farm team starting on day one. Presenter Christopher Sabo of Foxtrot Farm and the Mediation & Training Collaborative will discuss strategies for creating a foundation of effective communication among your crew, increasing your capacity to manage conflict, and maintaining open and accessible communication channels on the farm throughout the season. This session will offer tools to respond to workplace conflict or deal with…
Find out more »Performance management – set it, manage it, measure it!
Providing effective performance management doesn’t just protect your farm from liability and establish standards and accountability for those you manage – it actually helps your farm grow! Presenter Patti D’Amaddio of the Employers Association of the Northeast will describe how a holistic approach to performance management can increase employee engagement, help employees on their path to development, and assist your business in meeting its strategic goals. Through interactive activities and role play you will gain skills to clearly communicate expectations…
Find out more »March 2020
Improving your farm’s employee policies and management systems
Would you like to have better systems in place for onboarding and training employees, consistently communicating farm policies, or giving and receiving employee feedback? Are you looking to brush up on employment laws to ensure that your farm is in compliance? This session will help you identify incremental changes to improve employee management systems on your farm. Presenter Libby Eiholzer of Cornell Cooperative Extension will lead you through a self-assessment of your farm’s human resources management and help you prioritize…
Find out more »Building a positive workplace culture through active bystander training
Farm managers are responsible for setting the tone and ensuring a respectful, safe, and productive work environment. However, they are by no means alone in contributing to workplace culture - each member of the farm team has unique skills and opportunities to help build a more positive workplace culture. This workshop will equip farm managers, crew leaders, and other employees with tools to respond proactively to workplace conflict and to contribute to improving the culture on their farm. Presenters Sharon…
Find out more »Leadership strategies for achieving workplace respect
Gaining respect as a manager is not always easy. Take a deep dive into the meaning of workplace respect, learn to identify barriers to respect, and discuss how the concept of respect relates to topics like diversity and inclusion, bullying, and compliance with federal and state anti-harassment and discrimination laws. You will reflect on your own behaviors and actions, as well as engage in interactive exercises to learn and apply new tools and strategies for creating a more positive and…
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