Farm Watch Community Guide by NetPosse.com

How to Start and Maintain a Farm Watch Community

Powered by Stolen Horse International & NetPosse

A Farm Watch community is a proactive, locally driven network of farms, ranches, and rural neighbors working together to prevent theft, respond quickly to suspicious activity, and recover stolen or missing livestock, equipment, and animals. Using the trusted Stolen Horse International (NetPosse) and NetPosse brand ensures consistency, credibility, and effective information sharing.

PART 1: STARTING A FARM WATCH COMMUNITY
1. Define Your Coverage Area

Decide the geographic area your Farm Watch will serve. This may include:

• A rural road or neighborhood
• A farming or ranching community
• A county or multi-county region

Keep the area manageable so alerts can be acted on quickly.

2. Appoint a Farm Watch Coordinator

Every Farm Watch needs at least one coordinator. This person:

• Acts as the main point of contact
• Communicates with Stolen Horse International / NetPosse
• Shares verified alerts and updates
• Helps maintain organization and consistency

Larger communities may appoint additional coordinators or zone leads.

3. Register With Stolen Horse International / NetPosse

Registering with Stolen Horse International (SHI) and NetPosse is a critical part of the Farm Watch program and helps establish documented proof of ownership before a horse ever goes missing.

Farm Watch members are strongly encouraged to:

• Create a NetPosse account at NetPosse.com in the Store
• Purchase and complete a NetPosse ID Registration for each horse
• Upload clear photos, descriptions, brands, markings, and identifying details

The NetPosse ID Registration creates a permanent, time-stamped ownership record that can be referenced if a horse is lost, missing, or stolen. This documentation helps:

• Prove ownership
• Speed up alerts and investigations
• Assist law enforcement, brand inspectors, and recovery teams

Important: Farm Watch groups and pages do not replace official reporting. If a horse goes missing, owners must:

1. Contact law enforcement immediately
2. File an official missing or stolen report through NetPosse

Having a NetPosse ID Registration already on file allows alerts to be issued faster and with greater accuracy, increasing the chances of recovery.

4. Establish Communication Channels

Choose clear, reliable ways for members to communicate:

• Facebook Group or Page (preferred for visibility)
• Group text or messaging app (Signal, WhatsApp, etc.)
• Email list

Use the Farm Watch name consistently, such as:

“Smith County Farm Watch – Powered by NetPosse”

5. Use Official Farm Watch Branding

Consistent branding builds trust and recognition.

• Post Farm Watch signage at entrances, gates, and fence lines
• Use SHI / NetPosse logos where permitted
• Display signage clearly visible from roads

Signs deter theft and alert criminals that the community is organized and watching.

6. Educate Members

Before launching publicly, ensure members understand:

• What to report (suspicious activity, missing animals, unknown vehicles)
• What not to post (rumors, accusations, unverified claims)
• How to safely observe and report without confrontation

Emphasize: See it. Document it. Report it.

PART 2: OPERATING A FARM WATCH COMMUNITY

7. Reporting Suspicious Activity

Members should:

• Record date, time, and location
• Note vehicle descriptions, license plates, and direction of travel
• Take photos or video only if safe to do so
• Suspicious activity should be shared internally and reported to local law enforcement when appropriate.

8. Handling Missing or Stolen Cases

When livestock, animals, or equipment go missing:

• Contact law enforcement immediately
• File an official report at NetPosse.com
• Provide accurate descriptions, photos, brands, marks, and identifiers
• Wait for confirmation before wide public sharing

Once verified, Farm Watch coordinators may share the NetPosse Alert link—not screenshots or altered posts.

9. Sharing Alerts Responsibly

Always share:

• Official NetPosse Alert links
• Clear photos and descriptions
• Contact instructions exactly as listed

Never:

• Edit alert details
• Add personal opinions or accusations
• Encourage confrontation

The goal is awareness, not escalation.

10. Maintain Professional Conduct

Farm Watch communities must:

• Remain respectful and factual
• Avoid speculation and vigilantism
• Remove posts that violate group rules

This protects the integrity of the case and the safety of members.

PART 3: MAINTAINING & GROWING YOUR FARM WATCH

11. Regular Engagement

Keep the group active with:

• Theft prevention tips
• Security reminders
• Success stories and recoveries
• Seasonal alerts (sale barns, disasters, evacuations)

An engaged group responds faster in emergencies.

12. Partner With Local Agencies

When possible:

• Introduce Farm Watch to local law enforcement
• Coordinate with brand inspectors or livestock boards
• Share educational resources

Partnership strengthens response and credibility.

13. Review and Update Practices

At least once a year:

• Review group rules
• Update coordinators and contact lists
• Refresh signage if faded or damaged

Consistency keeps Farm Watch effective.

PART 4: CORE PRINCIPLES OF FARM WATCH

• Awareness: Eyes open, neighbors informed
• Accuracy: Verified information only
• Safety: Observe and report, never confront
• Collaboration: Work with SHI, NetPosse, and law enforcement
• Consistency: One message, one trusted source

FINAL NOTE

A Farm Watch community is strongest when everyone participates. By working together and using the Stolen Horse International / NetPosse system, your community becomes harder to target—and faster to respond.

Protect your animals. Protect your neighbors. Protect your way of life.