Urbana . . . People interested in sustainable agriculture have a lot to
talk about. In fact, because many in agriculture believe that their
livelihood depends on doing things differently than they have done in the
past they want to share their ideas and understanding with others. So much
of the talk among sustainable agriculture proponents centers around
practical talk.
To facilitate these conversations the University of Illinois, with the
help of a Conservation 2000 grant from the Illinois Department of
Agriculture, has developed a handbook for small group discussion leaders.
The handbook contains guidelines for setting up study circles, tips on
forming productive questions, stories from existing study circles, and
lists of reference materials that can be used to get discussions started.
"It is our hope that this collection of materials will help others see the
potential that exists in guiding small-group discussions and will apply
this approach to sustainable agriculture in their area," says Deborah
Cavanaugh- Grant, U of I sustainable agriculture researcher and extension
specialist in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental
Sciences. Co-editor of the handbook with Cavanaugh-Grant is Duane Dale, DFD
Associates, Amherst, Massachusetts.
"Individuals seeking ways to make agriculture truly sustainable may be
interested in being study circle conveners or facilitators," adds
Cavanaugh- Grant. These materials walk group leaders through the basics of
forming study circles, reviews past discussions on the topic, offers tips
on organizing groups, provides suggestions on strategic questioning, offers
help on adapting materials and provides practical steps such as worksheets,
study reports and situations that have worked for others.
The final section of the handbook lists books, periodicals and learning
materials from around the world that may prove useful to a discussion leader.
The 175-page handbook titled "Advancing Sustainable Agriculture through
Small Group Discussions; a guide for group leaders and members" is
available from Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant at P.O. Box 410, Greenview, IL
62642. Cost is $25 per copy and checks should be made payable to the
University of Illinois. Inquiries may be addressed to Cavanaugh-Grant via
the web at cavanaughd@ces.aces.uiuc.edu.
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