Using the Toolbox

Orientation to the Contents of the Small Ruminant Educator’s Toolbox

Linda Coffey, NCAT

Help for the hardworking agent

• The Small Ruminant Educator’s Toolbox is a collection of materials to assist agents with producer education • Funded by Southern SARE PDP • Includes SARE-funded – Small Ruminant Resource Manual – Toolbox PowerPoint library • Includes shared materials from – Tennessee Master Goat Producers (manual and presentations, Dr. An Peischel and others – Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland

Navigating the Toolbox

• Open “Contents and Instructions” Folder – How to Use document – Table of Contents – Annotated List of Presentations – Small Ruminant Resource Manual Table of Contents • Open “Toolbox” folder – Toolbox PowerPoint Library – Susan Schoenian presentations – Tennessee Master Goat Producers presentations folder • Includes manual • Protected; use in their entirety, do not modify

Use materials to support a workshop

• You can use the Toolbox materials to help with this: – Toolbox presentations in the Toolbox folder may be used or adapted – Susan Schoenian folder contains further materials to use or adapt – Tennessee Master Goat Producers presentations may be used as is (do not modify; they are protected) – Start fresh, using these as examples – The Jeopardy game (Toolbox presentation folder) can be adapted to use as a review game – Printed materials may be used as needed – Quickstart (in Toolbox manual) serves as survey

Make materials available to speakers:

• Experienced local producers are an excellent choice • Other educators • (Be sure to tell them all the exact topic you want taught, and the time limit! Allow for questions and breaks.)

Use materials for self-learning

• Toolbox presentations include extensive “Notes” so that they can serve as tutorials; you can use them to refresh your memory or learn about a new topic • Give to producers as a tutorial for self-study • Other presentations may not have extensive notes but still serve as concise tutorials Manual contents may be printed and shared, or burned to CD for those with computers but limited internet access.

About the Small Ruminant Resource Manual

• Contents are mostly ATTRA materials • Built to follow subjects to support the Small Ruminant Sustainability Checksheet • Table of contents listed in separate document in the “how to use” folder • Huge PDF; to print documents you will need to select pages • Page numbers to print are listed on the Table of Contents document • Further resources are listed at the end of each chapter • Navigate with Bookmarks to jump to a topic area (chapter) • Additional ATTRA materials may be requested: 800-346 9140

About the Tennessee Master Meat Goat Producers Presentations:

• Various authors (listed on first slides) • Annotated list included in the folder • Various levels of technical difficulty • Use the materials in their entirety and with proper credit given • Thank you to Dr. An Peischel for sharing these materials

About the Susan Schoenian Presentations:

• Folder labeled “Susan Schoenian” • Annotated list document included in folder • Permission granted to use as needed • These also work well for self-study • Thank you to Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland, for sharing her work so generously • See www.sheepandgoat.com (The Maryland Sheep and Goat Site) for a wealth of information on every topic pertaining to sheep and goats!

It’s too much! How do I find what I want and need?

• Look at the annotated list of all PowerPoints • See the table of contents for the Toolbox manual • See the table of contents for the TMMGP manual • Check the FAQ list • Call 800-346-9140 and ask Linda Coffey or Margo Hale about contents • Don’t forget when teaching to use live animals and live people! Education is more effective when it is interactive and hands-on.

But it doesn’t fit my state/county/producers!

• Customize the Toolbox presentations; add a folder to the Toolbox for your own state • In your folder, include regionally important documents – List of available marketing options – Contact numbers for educators and state officials – State veterinarian – Dates of sales, etc.

• Thank you for helping to keep farming going in the United States! The work you do is important. If we can help you with printed materials to support your work, contact us at 800-346-9140 (ATTRA line) or email [email protected] or [email protected].

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a nonprofit organization that helps people and communities. NCAT champions small scale, sustainable and local solutions to reduce poverty, protect communities and promote natural resources. Since 1976, NCAT has weatherized houses, trained farmers, monitored energy use and demonstrated renewable technology. NCAT works on local and national projects that foster a healthy quality of life for everyone.