Drivers and Salespersons

As some of the most knowledgeable team members, drivers and salespersons can help event planners understand customers' needs and perceptions.

Of all the partners, drivers can have great credibility and the most direct contact.

Drivers are in the best position to promote educational opportunities directly or "personally" to customers.

University Extension

County agriculture and community resource development agents direct educational outreach on farm and environmental issues. They are viewed as unbiased news sources by local media.

The Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center (SHWEC) maintains a traveling display for fuel storage tank education.

County agents can bring extension specialists from Farm*A*Syst, SHWEC, the Environmental Resources Center and others to help support or deliver the program.

University extension representatives can help plan and promote events, develop or provide educational materials, and help deliver programs.

Lenders and Realtors

Realtors can help farmers understand the adverse impact of fuel spills on property values and transactions.

Lenders can help farmers understand why fuel spills and leaks create liabilities that can adversely affect loans for property improvements or farm purchases.

Insurance Representatives

Insurers are anxious to keep their liabilities at a minimum by working with their customers to reduce risks on farms or rural property.

Representatives visit their customers and are likely sources of good case studies involving problems with improper fuel storage on farms.

Insurance representatives will gladly explain the financial advantages to having of farm fuel storage tanks that are in compliance with state codes.

Insurers can often identify typical fire hazards, if the local fire department is not in attendance.

Regulators and Tank Specialists

Department of Commerce specialists will be able to provide the most thorough information regarding proper tank installation.

At an educational event, tank specialists offer a non-threatening opportunity for participants to understand what they need to do in order to achieve compliance.

Department of Natural Resources officials can address environmental risk issues and spill response requirements.

Fire and Emergency Response Teams

Local fire officials may provide, or participate in, inspection programs and can address any unique local programs.

Emergency response officials can discuss what the tank owner should do in the event of a significant accident, or spill of fuel or other farm chemicals.

Farm and Fuel Trade Associations

Trade associations representing farms and agricultural businesses have vested interest in promoting safe and profitable farming practices.

Trade groups, such as the Petroleum Marketing Association, the Wisconsin Petroleum Council, Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives and implement dealers or other marketer associations, can be effective partners in sponsoring an event.

Local Community and Environmental Groups

Local communities are often very dependent on farm economies and have vested interests in seeing that farm neighbors operate safely and profitably.

Environmental groups (often at odds with agricultural practices) may welcome an opportunity to be a proactive partner and to work in a positive manner with the farm community.

Health Department and Veterinarians

Representatives from local health departments or organizations can address farm health issues related to groundwater contamination from fuels, farm chemicals or nitrates.

Livestock health is also at risk when wells are contaminated.

When wells are contaminated, bottled water may protect the family's health, but does not solve livestock needs.

Local News Media

To reach a wide audience, daily and weekly newspapers, shopper/advertiser papers, radio, and television are all potential sources for publicizing and covering events.

Address for this site: http://www.wisc.edu/farmasyst/private/petro/tip7.html
Created by: Richard Castelnuovo, rcasteln@students.wisc.edu
Last modified: February 10, 1997