Contacts:
Louise Waterman, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-6900
Kelly Loftus, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Friday, January 4, 2008

Montpelier, Vt – Last winter we had a very successful Spanish class for dairy producers with 30 dairy producers and industry folks from Addison and Franklin Counties completing the class.

Reviews from class participants were excellent! We would like to pick up where we left off and many producers are excited about continuing to expand their language skills to the next level. This winter we will be offering a Spanish Class for Dairy Producers - Level Two. You do not need to have taken the Level One class last year to participate this year, but you should have some basic dairy Spanish language skills. If you didn’t take the class last year, but are interested this year please give us a call and we can discuss whether the class would be a good fit for you.

“The class last winter helped fast forward my ability to speak and comprehend Spanish,” commented one participant. “Communication with my employees has improved. I’m signing up for the class again this winter.”

The book and CD that were developed last year specifically for Vermont dairy producers, with the help of Command Spanish and the Department of Community Development & Applied Economics at UVM, will be used in class again this year and each new participating farmer/student will receive a copy as part of the class tuition. Students from last year’s class are asked to bring their own book.

This course will focus on basic communication skills designed specifically for Vermont Dairy Farmers. Our class will follow the Command Spanish philosophy of teaching highly specific phrases developed for particular occupations and industries. The basis for this language instruction program is to first define the particular words and phrases needed by Vermont dairy producers - and then to focus on learning that essential Spanish in class. The class goal will be to learn a limited number of practical and useful expressions within a short period of time. This is an action-oriented program targeted to helping get work done efficiently and safely on the farm - it is not a traditional Spanish class.

The tuition cost before reimbursement is $240.00. However, scholarships will be available to reimburse producers for over half of the cost. Final cost for producers who complete the class will be $100.

The classes will be held in two locations.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008
American Legion in Middlebury
10am to 2:30pm with lunch provided
Class Runs: 3 Tuesdays and 3 Thursdays for a total of 24 hours of instruction
Contact: Louise Waterman with the VT Agency of Agriculture at 828-6900 to enroll

Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Yankee Farm Credit office in St Albans
4:30 to 8:00 pm
Class Runs: 8 Wednesdays for a total of 24 hours of instruction
This class is coordinated by Cold Hollow Career Center, Enosburg Falls, VT
Contact: Jenny Estey with the Cold Hollow Career Center at 933-4003 ext 13 to enroll.

Class enrollment and scholarships will be on a first-come, first- serve basis. Agricultural advisors are welcome - room permitting. Call Louise Waterman (802) 828-6900 at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture for more information on scholarships.

Scholarships funded through The Northeast Center for Risk Management Education.