Course Description
The Farm Governance Advisory Training Programme is a twelve week course that will equip rural professionals with the knowledge to provide guidance on good governance principles for farming businesses, and the skills to facilitate the implementation of governance systems and practices.
The training programme will enhance participants’ knowledge to a level which will enable them to work with their clients to support them in the design and implementation of relevant and
appropriate governance systems tailor made to that farming business. Throughout the programme participants will have the opportunity to explore and understand the value and need for
governance in the context of farming in New Zealand, across the entire spectrum of ownership and control structures, including families in business.
Families in business together can have both a compelling need and a powerful motivation to develop governance systems for both their family and their business. Family owned businesses operate in two distinct and linked systems, one driven by practical considerations of the business and one driven by the emotional needs and wants of the family. The programme will allow
participants the time and space to explore both systems, understand more about systems thinking and develop an understanding of different consulting models and approaches to better equip them to work more effectively on the difficult issue of governance with their farming clients.
The course comprises two modules which will be conducted as a series of online learning activities and facilitated discussions, and a two day contact course. All modules will be supported by
background reading material and case studies.
FARM GOVERNANCE ADVISORY TRAINING PROGRAMME
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Course Modules
The Farm Governance Advisory Training Programme comprises of two modules:
Module 1: Governance 1. The why of governance 2. What governance is 3. What ‘good’ governance is
4. The principles of good governance 5. The seven practices of governance 6. The Process Consultant
7. How adults will learn from you
8. Facilitating others’ learning through using your own particular leadership strengths 9. The un-conflicted professional
Module 2: Governance in the farming context 1. Articulating the value and need for governance 2. Beginning to work with a client
3. Understand the farmers’ goals, desires, purpose 4. Evaluate the business strategy and risks
5. Critically appraise a client’s governance situation
6. Appraise the governance competencies required for the situation 7. Propose options to achieve improvement
8. A real-life situation
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The Learning Objectives
Whole Unit: After completing this unit and passing the assessment clients will:
1. Be able to demonstrate guidance on and facilitate the implementation of the systems and processes of sound governance practices in a rural context.
Module 1: After completing this module and passing the assessment clients will:
1. Be able to define the value and need for governance and strategy 2. Be able to describe the principles and processes of good governance 3. Be able to examine a scenario using process consultancy techniques
4. Understand the role of the learning facilitator i.e., “Learn how to learn and pass on that knowledge”.
Module 2: After completing this module and passing the assessment clients will:
1. Be able to explain how the principles and processes of good governance operationalise within the farm business context
2. Be able to identify and evaluate the strategy and risks for any given farm business 3. Be able to appraise a client governance situation and articulate the value and need for
governance and strategy for that situation
4. Be able to critically appraise the governance of a farm business and propose options to achieve improvement over time
Assessment
After the completion of the programme participants will complete a formal assessment on the content of the whole programme through an assignment that will be provided after course.
For Credit
OneFarm is seeking approval from the Academic Boards of Lincoln and Massey Universities to register “The Farm Governance Advisory Training Programme” to gain 10 academic credits. In future, upon successful completion of the course assessment, clients can contribute the credits towards an academic qualification at either Massey or Lincoln Universities if the client wishes to undertake further study.
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The Governance Training Programme for Rural Professionals is sponsored by:
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