SASKATOON (Staff) — A pilot project testing a quicker way to deliver farm business training found it also ran out of time.
The 10 lessons in the project are being trimmed to five, said Linda Pipke, of the Canadian Farm Women’s Education Council. The council recently assessed the results of the project that was tested by 65 farm couples across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia, Ontario and New Brunswick.
“Ten weeks is too long,” said Pipke, and some of the couples did not finish all the modules.
The council is recommending there be more farm business management courses taught in a modular (one concept at a time) format and be based in the home.
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“These are busy times,” said Pipke. “The farmer and his wife have smaller times when they can go to a course and sit down together.”
That was why the council set up the project, which uses video and audio tapes as well as written information, so couples could learn at home together at a convenient time each week.
The remaining concepts include goal setting, financial planning, safety planning, estate and transfer planning and organizing a farm business plan.
Varying interests
Parts to be left out or reworked involve crop and livestock production and marketing, because there were many different styles and geographic preferences in these areas.
The course was useful in forcing couples to establish and write out farm goals. This reduced stress because the partners were committed to actions, Pipke said.
Participants said there was a positive effect on the family because other members had the opportunity to be brought into the planning.
Women especially reported a significant improvement in their skill development, said Pipke. It wasn’t the actual information so much as the improved communication with their spouse and being part of the decision making.
The course is being rewritten by Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, Man., and it will be ready by Sept. 15. It is available in all provinces through the provincial farm business management councils and on the FBMI computer network. There will be a minimal charge.
“I hope they find it a useful way to improve themselves and their communication,” Pipke said.
