Facilitating Communication in Farm Families with Personalized Coaching is focused on Human
Risk, specifically interpersonal, family, and business relationships. There were two methods to
program delivery:
1) Five educational workshops were offered regionally in Maine (locations: Caribou, Newport,
Augusta, Waterville, and online). 100 farmers attended a workshop about improving family
and business communication. Each participant practiced listening skills, created a personalized goal, and identified steps toward it. Each participant was informed about the opportunity to enroll in a farm coaching project.
2) Between December 18, 2018-September 6, 2019, Farm Family Coaching was offered. It consisted of four, 2-hour meetings with two coaches. Eight families participated, and the goals for each family were individual, and plans were created for that family. Coaches engaged farmers in practicing communication skills and increasing understanding of the impact communication has on productivity and efficiency. Coaching was available on farm (in-person) at the kitchen table, and videoconferencing was also used as needed.
At least two members of the farm family participated, and in one case four family members attended all four sessions. In another case, six family members attended one of the sessions. Farmers (n=25) developed goals and a plan to reach the goals.