Chapter 2: Selecting Your Program Format

Classroom Instruction

Programs using only classroom instruction are probably best suited for adult groups. The maximum time for keeping participants' attention in this format, with at least one break, is probably two to three hours. Guest speakers, farmer panels, safety skits, videos, PowerPoint presentations, slides, overhead transparencies, and small demonstrations are suitable for this type of program. This format is probably the easiest to arrange because no farm equipment is needed, and a simple classroom or meeting room is an ideal location.

Classroom and Hands-on Equipment Demonstrations

This format includes some classroom instruction, as well as equipment demonstrations or "hands-on" types of activities. This type of program is suitable for adult, family, or children's programs, depending on the program content and size of the audience.

Concurrent Sessions with an Opportunity to Select Topics or Rotate

Many highly successful children's workshops have utilized this format. The participants are divided into small groups of 10 to 15, and rotated through a series of mini-classes or modules. Each of these modules features a speaker presenting a particular topic during a 15 to 30 minute period. Advantages of this format include the ability to cover a wide range of topics, the opportunity for better interaction between speakers and participants, and a higher probability of maintaining the participants' attention because of the short time frame. The major disadvantage of this format is that it is one of the more difficult to plan and organize. Several speakers must be found for various topics, and a location suitable for this type of activity, such as a school or church with classrooms, must be found.

Children's Farm Safety Day-Camps

Safety Camps, sometimes called "Day Camps," operate much like a one-day summer camp, except that the children attending the camp learn about such things as first aid, electrical safety, how to safely operate an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), or why grain augers and Power Takeoff (PTO) shafts are dangerous. Like other camps, the emphasis is on using hands-on activities that make learning fun. Camps are generally set up like the concurrent session workshop described in the previous section, using a module format that allows "campers" to rotate through a series of demonstrations, role-playing exercises, or activities with very specific learning objectives. For example, a workstation on proper fire extinguisher use would teach kids how to use a dry chemical extinguisher on a liquid fuel fire by actually using one. There are literally hundreds of topics for safety modules. See Chapter 10 for a listing of possible workshop and module topics.

Like the concurrent session workshop format, camps are a greater challenge to plan and organize. At least three months, and preferably six months, should be allowed for planning and preparation before your camp. Additional time is often required to find an appropriate location, coordinate with presenters, secure sponsorship, and publicize the event.

When planning a camp it is particularly important to establish a community-based camp planning committee, and to delegate tasks related to fund-raising, facilities, the program and presenters, publicity, registration, and meals to subcommittees or individuals. Utilizing individuals and organizations within the community will give more people "ownership" in the event-- people who will have a personal interest in making the event a success. Involving a committee of planners also helps to "spread the load" so that no single person is responsible for too many details. See Chapters 3 through 6 more information on selecting locations, identifying equipment needs, gathering community support, and publicizing your event .

Sample Agendas

The following sections contain sample agendas for several different types of farm safety and health workshops. These are provided simply for your information. As the workshop organizer, feel free to modify these workshops to fit your interests, local needs, and resources .

Sample Agenda	Acrobat (.PDF)	Word (.DOC)
Farm Women's Safety Workshop	download	download
Farm Safety Workshop for Children	download	download
Farm Family Safety Workshop	download	download
Farm Operator's Winter Safety Seminar   Session 1 - Chemical Safety	download	download
Farm Operator's Winter Safety Seminar   Session 2 - Machinery Safety	download	download
Farm Operator's Winter Safety Seminar   Session 3 - Farm Respiratory Hazards	download	download
Children's Farm Safety Day-Camp	download	download