Time & Location
Dates: November 5, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM MST
Scholarship Deadline: October 27, 2025
Registration Deadline: November 1, 2025
Instructor: HMI Certified Educator Joel Benson
Cost: $50, includes learning materials
Overview
Understanding how to effectively engage in policy design and analysis is a critical tool for empowering citizens to influence policy at any level of government. It is also critical for business owners to improve their business policies which can greatly influence the success of their business. Whether you are already involved on a school board, county commission board, or just want to get more involved in local advocacy to get better policies that will support conservation practices and strong local food systems, this 4-hour workshop will give you tools to quickly identify problems a policy is trying to solve and if it is addressing the root cause. It will also give you the tools and language to more effectively deal with policymakers and have your voice heard at meetings. It will also help team leaders more effectively manage your business team. Learn how to be an effective leader and advocate today!
Fee & Financial Assistance
$50 per person
Eligible for Scholarships
If you are awarded a scholarship, you will receive a discount code. Click here for more information on how to use your code.
Your Presenter(s):
Joel Benson, Holistic Management Certified Educator
Joel has worked in numerous venues, primarily with community and regional planning, economic renewal, and natural resource management. He has worked in agricultural policy, Holistic Management, consulted with a number of businesses and non-profits, and advised on numerous governmental projects around the country. He ran a small coffee roastery and cafe for many years, served four years as a Trustee for the Town of Buena Vista, Colorado, and eight as Mayor, incorporating holistic policy design and analysis into town decision-making. He has particular interest studying public policy and the intersection of housing and water supply as they contribute to community resilience, recently earning his doctorate in Public Affairs through the University of Colorado, Denver. Currently, he works as Senior Policy Advisor and Project Advocate for Buena Vista.