Outreach: A Grassroots Approach

Outreach, a grassroots approach

• Public Law 110-234 (2008-Farm Bill)

• Food, Conservation, and Energy Act

• Contains over $300 Billion (lots of money)

As a nation…

• How can we get the word out?

• What can agencies and institutions do?

First Things First

• You have to have a passion

• You have to want to make a difference

• The sustainable agriculture Coalition– Had a passion

– They spoke with one voice

– Language in 2008 farm Bill

Getting the message out…

• Highways & Hedges

• We need a grassroots approach

Grassroots Outreach Approach

• Outreach is about:Building RelationshipsRecording StoriesHanging OutIdentifying where you need to workFinding the community gate keepersFinding the right partnerships

Identify Where to Conduct Outreach

• Be honest about your workload

• Have I been reaching out to:Socially DisadvantagedMinority ProducersYouth Women

• Where have I been directing money?

After Identifying Work Site

• Find the gate keeper

• A gate keeper is:– A community leader

– A person that open or close the gate to the community

– A person that has a passion for the community and people

A Visit to the Community

• A visual observation of the community with the gate keeper

• The gate keeper knows the culture and people

• A mental assessment can be obtained

• Make some notes

• You may see things that NRCS cannot service

• You can’t put conservation on the ground if the roof is leaking

Design of an Outreach Strategy

• With the gate keeper’s help:

Select a meeting siteSelect a meeting dateSelect a meeting time

Develop Advertising Materials

~ Flyers ~ Radio programs

~ TV programs ~ Word of mouth

~ Let the gate keeper be in charge

Invite Agencies and Institutions

• Invitations should be based on the assessment made with gate keepers

• Provide refreshments (recommended)

• Agencies need to discuss high points (only)

• Develop sign-in sheets that collect follow-up data– Name, phone, e-mail, amount of land, resource concern

Follow-up and Field Visits

• Use sign-in sheets as a tool

• Provide hands-on assistance with program application

• Provide hands-on assistance with elderly

Design System to Help Overcome Barriers

• Up front money is always a problem

• Revolving loan funds

• CCC-036 payment to vendors

Rural Development Needs

• Organized farmers

• Participation in farm bill grant programs

• Established grant writing teams