Processor Handbook - Innovation Center for US Dairy

4 Educational Opportunities —
Secondary PM Community 3
1. Relevance
In order to contribute to their communities and enhance
agricultural education, dairy processors and manufacturers
may engage in educational opportunities at, or beyond the
plant, factory, or facility. Educational opportunities may
include factory tours, demonstrations, self-guided tours
and informational events. Educational efforts help the local
community and outside visitors feel more engaged in and
informed about a processor or manufacturer’s operations
and the dairy industry as a whole. 23
Additionally, educational programming provides field trip
opportunities for local schools and programs. Measuring
education programming helps to demonstrate a processor
or manufacturer’s efforts in community outreach
and education.
Plants that engage in educational activities can choose
to report this secondary indicator. However, not all plants
are designed for educational tours (e.g., operating in
remote areas, safety concerns) or for other reasons are not
engaged in educational activities.
2. Metric
Educational events per year and the total number of
participants
3. Calculation and reporting
3.1 Report the total number of educational events and
or hosted or sponsored by the plant during the past
reporting period.
Report and describe educational events held on or off-site
and the number of times the event occurred in the past
year in the Education Opportunity Table.
3.2 Report the total number of participants during the
past reporting period.
Calculate and report the total number of people who
participated in educational events held on or off-site.
4. Other measurement considerations
None
5. Definitions
Volunteering: This is the donation of time or service to an
outside organization without expectation of pay to advance
humanitarian objectives. 24
6. Documentation
Educational events may be recorded on a calendar of events
or in communications with organizations such as schools
and community organizations.
7. Resources
Industry examples:
• Ben and Jerry’s. 2012. Waterbury Factory. www.
benjerry.com/scoop-shops/factory-tours/.
• Tillamook. 2012. Cheese Factory. www.tillamook.
com/cheesefactory/index.html.
• DOL. 2012. FLSA Advisor: Volunteers www.dol.gov/
elaws/esa/flsa/docs/volunteers.asp/.
Educational Opportunity (includes tours, demonstrations, selfguided
tours and informational events)
Number of
Participants
Number of Times Held
(if applicable)
Totals:
40
DRAFT Processor Handbook to the Guide, April 2013