When “everyone” is responsible for tasks, often no one ends up doing them. We created these sign-up sheets for farmers to take individual responsibility for doing jobs around the farm and to have public (group) accountability. Farmers sign-up for tasks ahead of time (especially for time sensitive tasks such as watering). Introducing these tasks sheets and teaching farmers to use them will help ensure their use. This structure of using task sheets may have success if introduced at an early stage of the program.

These best practices are the result of a collaborative process between ten New American farmer training programs. Over a three year period, these programs implemented new teaching resources and methods. These practices represent effective and relevant teaching practices for farmer training with farmers with educationally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

This is a tool (not a lesson) for farmers or gardeners to use in the field as a reference for plant spacing when planting out crops. Growers should be oriented to this tool before using, but in lieu of an actual lesson plan, see tips below.

This training of trainer’s workshop is designed for refugee farmer incubator interpreters and/or staff who work together to deliver trainings and technical assistance. It is also useful for outside service providers and partners (e.g. extension educators) who provide trainings with refugee farmers using interpreters. The two role-play activities can be used regularly when working with interpreters throughout the season. This teaching resource was developed by the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions)in collaboration with 18 refugee projects from around the country. Refugee farmer training programs across the country provided feedback on this lesson, which is now integrated throughout the guide.

The What to Wash and What Not to Wash signs are visual aides to assist farmers at the wash station in order to recognize which vegetables should be washed in water and those that should not be washed with water. This resource can be used by staff as a guide to teach farmers during a workshop on post-harvest handling, but then will stand alone as a large sign in a farm wash station area. Staff will use hands-on demonstration to show farmers how to utilize the wash station and follow food safety procedure; this is one piece of that education.

The BCS Safety Checklist and Parts Diagram is a resource designed to be incorporated into a field workshop to train multi-farming and language/literacy farmers how to safely operate and maintain a BCS machine and roto-tiller attachment. This resource should be used by staff as a guide to teach farmers during a workshop, but can also stand alone as a handout or sign after an initial workshop. Staff will use hands-on demonstration to show farmers how to operate machines and attachments.

These charts are meant to be used as a reference after showing how to mix and apply the pesticides in a hands-on workshop. After the hands-on work-shop we hope that farmers will be able to use the charts as a reference to stimulate farmers’ memory and to be able to identify the correct pesticide to use, and to mix and use it correctly. See below for tips on helping farmers understand and use these reference sheets.

These charts are meant to be used as a reference after showing how to mix and apply the pesticides in a hands-on workshop. After the hands-on work-shop we hope that farmers will be able to use the charts as a reference to stimulate farmers’ memory and to be able to identify the correct pesticide to use, and to mix and use it correctly. See below for tips on helping farmers understand and use these reference sheets.

These charts are meant to be used as a reference after showing how to mix and apply the pesticides in a hands-on workshop. After the hands-on work-shop we hope that farmers will be able to use the charts as a reference to stimulate farmers’ memory and to be able to identify the correct pesticide to use, and to mix and use it correctly. See below for tips on helping farmers understand and use these reference sheets.

These charts are meant to be used as a reference after showing how to mix and apply the pesticides in a hands-on workshop. After the hands-on work-shop we hope that farmers will be able to use the charts as a reference to stimulate farmers’ memory and to be able to identify the correct pesticide to use, and to mix and use it correctly. See below for tips on helping farmers understand and use these reference sheets.