Educational Opportunity

Farmers are concerned about their family's health as well as the health and well being of their livestock.

Fire hazards and water quality are both potential risks with on-site fuel storage systems.

New requirements will continue to be added to existing regulations; particularly to any concerning remaining underground storage tanks.

Lenders and insurers are adding property liability issues -- which include contamination from fuel leaks and spills -- as a factor in determining their willingness to do business. If a lender or insurer does not refuse to do businesses with the owner of a contaminated site, it is likely that the owner will pay a premium in fees or charges to receive those services.

Most farm and other rural fuel storage systems are probably not in full compliance with underground or aboveground fuel storage regulations.

Why On-farm?

Farmers have more trust in one of their neighbors serving as a host -- a friendly, neutral site to hear about regulations.

Farmers would like to see the new machine shed or new shop that their neighbor has built.

Farmers may enjoy the social opportunity of being on another farm and enjoying the host family's hospitality, rather than attending an event at a meeting hall in town.

The opportunity to examine actual fuel storage installations and to look at potential issues in a real setting is more meaningful and more likely to stimulate questions and discussion.

The marketer is highly visible as a co-sponsor of the event in this setting.

A perfect tank installation is not needed. Being able to talk over a system that needs small improvements will make farmers feel more comfortable.

Things and People to Include

Ask the county agricultural agent and/or the county resource agent to manage the program's agenda, as your county educational representative.

Have the county agent offer a well water test for nitrates for any participant.

Have the county agricultural agent give an update on farm issues.

Use university extension specialists and county agents to present background information about fuel storage issues, including Farm*A*Syst fact sheets and other supporting information.

Invite insurance and banking representatives to give their perspectives on property liability and farm safety issues.

Include emergency spill response personnel or local fire chiefs.

Have a qualified tank specialist or other regulatory representative give an overview of regulations and respond to the "tough" questions that customers have about regulations.

Include testimonials and case studies of mishaps and misfortune that others have experienced to emphasize the importance of the issues, and to help customers understand what can be done.

Have a recycling representative for the community talk about proper disposal and recycling of other vehicle waste

products, such as waste oil, filters, hydraulic fluids, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and anti-freeze.

Set up a display with equipment for tank upgrades and informational brochures.

Prepare standard packets of information for each participant.

Definitely provide refreshments.

Picking the Site and Time

Avoid the obvious conflicts of planting and harvesting and other seasonal activities likely to reduce attendance.

Identify a farm host with a tank installation that can be easily upgraded.

Make sure that site issues -- such as convenient access to the farm, parking space, program shelter space, seating arrangements, food accommodations, display space, registration area, water testing space and other activities -- can be managed in both good and poor weather conditions.

A mid-day schedule will probably be the best time for farm customers and program presenters who must travel to the site. In warmer weather, a mid-evening program may offer a suitable alternative, with minimal time conflicts.

Set a time limit of two hours.

Getting Customers to Come

Get the word out through mailings, posters, driver contacts with customers, county extension radio or television programs, newspaper articles, newsletters, associations and other forums.

Offer incentives for participation, such as product or service discount coupons, prize drawings, food, a new hat, a free fuel spill blotter for small spills, or other contributed prizes from co-sponsors.

Work with other farm suppliers, such as implement dealers, to promote and co-sponsor the event.

Use other events, such as county fairs, association meetings, annual meetings, as preludes to promote the farm demonstration event.

Emphasize the opportunity to get "no risk" access to information from regulators or inspectors, who support proactive efforts to help farmers comply with regulations, as well as helping to protect against fuel leaks, spills and fire.

Address for this site: http://www.wisc.edu/farmasyst/private/petro/tip6.html
Created by: Richard Castelnuovo, rcasteln@students.wisc.edu
Last modified: February 10, 1997