Hosting a Successful Formal Meeting with an Agenda or PowerPoints
Early Career Development
Kalyn Waters
CED/Agriculture Agent
University of Florida
Bonifay
Abstract
Lecture style meetings with PowerPoints can become redundant for producers. Integrating multifaceted delivery methods into meetings can increase producers’ attention, interaction, and knowledge gain. The Holmes County Fall Cattle Forum was developed and serves as a model to meet this need and to provide an open meeting arena for producers to exchange ideas and consult industry experts. Objectives: The objectives of the workshop were 1) to facilitate a discussion forum for producers, allowing them to interact with state specialists and industry professionals without a set meeting agenda, 2) provide a platform for producer-to-producer education, and 3) provide an opportunity for producers to inform extension educators on the issues/topics currently impacting their operations. Method: The discussion forum was held in a town-hall style workshop, which allowed producers to seek information on topics that were relevant and timely to their operation, covering a wide variety of topic areas, without the constraints of an agenda-based meeting. In addition, it served as an informal opportunity for industry and extension personnel in attendance to gain a greater understanding of issues that need addressed. Results: Over 6 meetings a total of 567 producers have attended. Of the 205 survey respondents, 195 (95%) reported knowledge gain, and 110 (54%) indicated intended behavior change in the areas discussed. Conclusion: This educational model provides producers in the area opportunity to attend a meeting, without an agenda, giving flexibility and increase relevancy to information provided.
Authors: Kalyn Waters
-
Kalyn Waters Director/Agriculture Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County, Florida, 32425