Toolbox Workshop: Winnebago County Illinois Land Perspective
On January 30, 2016, Dr. Graham Hubbs from the University of Idaho moderated a toolbox workshop for landowners and land managers in Winnebago County, Illinois. The purpose of the toolbox was to explore how different types of farmers, land owners, and environmentalists view the relationship between agricultural practices and environmental concerns within the social confide of their evolving community. A specific instrument was designed to help organize thoughts as well as serve as discussion topics for the community representatives that participated. During the toolbox presentation, Dr. Hubbs guided participants to focus on the theme of the workshop and not rely on negative stereotypes that can erode the ability to work toward a common goal. The discussion period of the workshop was lively and amicable and participants all felt the need for a greater awareness and sense of community within any discipline of land user in the county. Future toolbox workshops will focus on action items that can be used towards the common ideological grounds uncovered in the first workshop.