consolidating targeted and practical extension for ... · 4. a national agreement between...

Consolidating Targeted and Practical Extension for Australian Farmers and FishersFinal Report

RURAL R&D FOR PROFITPROGRAMME

Rural Industries Research and Development CorporationDepartment of Agriculture and Water ResourcesAustralian Government

RuralR&DforProfitProgrammeFinalReport

ConsolidatingTargetedandPracticalExtensionforAustralianFarmersandFishers

ii

Ownershipofintellectualpropertyrights

Unlessotherwisenoted,copyright(andanyotherintellectualpropertyrights,ifany)inthispublicationisownedbytheRuralIndustriesResearchandDevelopmentCorporation.

CreativeCommonslicence

AllmaterialinthispublicationislicensedunderaCreativeCommonsAttribution3.0AustraliaLicence,saveforcontentsuppliedbythirdparties,logosandtheCommonwealthCoatofArms.

CreativeCommonsAttribution3.0AustraliaLicenceisastandardformlicenceagreementthatallowsyoutocopy,distribute,transmitandadaptthispublicationprovidedyouattributethework.Asummaryofthelicencetermsisavailablefromcreativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en.Thefulllicencetermsareavailablefromcreativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/legalcode.

Thispublication(andanymaterialsourcedfromit)shouldbeattributedas:ConsolidatingTargetedandPracticalExtensionforAustralianFarmersandFishers,RuralIndustriesResearchandDevelopmentCorporation,WaggaWagga,April2017.

Thispublicationisavailableatagriculture.gov.au/publications.

DepartmentofAgricultureandWaterResourcesPostaladdressGPOBox858CanberraACT2601Telephone1800900090Webagriculture.gov.au

Disclaimer

TheAustralianGovernmentactingthroughtheDepartmentofAgricultureandWaterResourceshasexercisedduecareandskillinpublishingtheinformationanddatainthispublication.Notwithstanding,theDepartmentofAgricultureandWaterResources,itsemployeesandadvisersdisclaimallliability,includingliabilityfornegligenceandforanyloss,damage,injury,expenseorcostincurredbyanypersonasaresultofaccessing,usingorrelyinguponanyoftheinformationordatainthispublicationtothemaximumextentpermittedbylaw.

Acknowledgements

Thisprojectwasdeliveredwiththeassistanceofthefollowingprojectpartners,

• NewSouthWalesLocalLandServices;• NorthernTerritoryDepartmentofPrimaryIndustry;• TasmanianInstituteofAgricultureandFisheries;• UniversityofMelbourne;• VictorianGovernmentDepartmentofEconomicDevelopment,Jobs,TransportandResources

RIRDCwouldliketoacknowledgeandthankallthespecialistserviceproviderswhowerepivotalintheprojectsdeliversandwhodemonstratedarealpassionandcommitmenttothiswork

RIRDCwouldalsoliketoacknowledgeandthankallstakeholderswhoparticipatedintheprojectbyprovidingvaluableopinionsthatarepresentedhereintheaggregatedform.



iii

ContentsPlainEnglishsummary................................................................................................................................iv

Abbreviationsandglossary........................................................................................................................1

1 Projectrationaleandobjectives.......................................................................................................2

2 Methodandprojectlocations............................................................................................................4

3 Projectachievements.........................................................................................................................11

3.1 Projectlevelachievements...................................................................................................................11

3.2 Contributiontoprogrammeobjectives..........................................................................................27

4 Collaboration........................................................................................................................................28

4.1 Collaborationwithprojectpartners................................................................................................28

4.2 Collaborationwithotherorganisationsandspecialistserviceproviders.......................28

4.3 Collaborationwithbroaderstakeholders.....................................................................................31

4.4 CollaborationOutcomes........................................................................................................................32

5 Extensionandadoptionactivities.................................................................................................33

6 Lessonslearnt......................................................................................................................................34

6.1 ProjectChallenges....................................................................................................................................34

6.2 LessonsLearnt...........................................................................................................................................34

7 Appendix-additionalprojectinformation................................................................................36

7.1 Projectmaterialandintellectualproperty....................................................................................36

7.2 Equipmentandassets............................................................................................................................37

7.3 Mediaandcommunicationsmaterial..............................................................................................37

7.4 Evaluationreport.....................................................................................................................................37

7.5 Budget...........................................................................................................................................................37



iv

PlainEnglishsummaryInAustraliawehaveaproudtraditionofextensionandadoptionwithinprimaryindustries.ExtensionservicesplayanimportantroleinassistingAustralianfarmersandfisherstoadoptresearchanddevelopment(R&D),toinnovateandchange,andtokeeptheirbusinessprofitable.TheConsolidatingTargetedandPracticalExtensionforAustralianFarmersandFishersprojectwaswelcomedasthestartofamuchneedednationalconversationaboutthefutureofextension.FundedundertheRuralR&DforProfitProgramme,itwasanambitiousprojectthataimedtoreversesomeofthedriversoffragmentationthatareimpactingondelivery,toevaluatetheextensionsystem,andtoconsolidateextensionknowledge.Theprojectalsoidentifiedpracticalandachievableactionsthatwillleadtoimprovementstoourextensionsystems,helpingitmeetfuturedemandsandopportunitiesinprimaryindustries.Keyprojectdeliverablesandoutcomeswere:

• Apracticalextensioninformation‘hub’• Anevaluationofthecurrentextensionenvironmentsystems• Informationandadviceonstrategicnextstepstoimprovetheefficiencyofextension• Undertakingforumsandinformationexchange

ExtensionHubAkeyachievementoftheprojectwasthecreationofaweb-based‘hub’tosupportextensionprofessionalsastheyplananddeliverinformationtoAustralianfarmersandfishers.TheExtensionHubconsolidatesandorganisesexistingknowledge,toolsandresourcesinanaccessiblewaysothatitcanbeeasilyusedtoinformthedesignandimplementationofextensionbypublicandprivateproviders.Thesite,establishedastheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice(CoP),wentliveNovember2016.Itcurrentlycontains30curatedarticlesonextensionrelevanttotargetaudiences.Theyaretaggedwithkeywords,andlinkedtoothersourcesincludingYouTube.FurtherresourcesarebeingaddedbytheCoPleader.Currentlythereare1300usersofthesite.

CommunitiesofPracticeoncropdiseasesandcropnutritionarealsohousedonthesite.Visitorscanlistentopodcasts,readarticlesor“askanexpert”technicalquestionsonthesubjectareaoftheCommunityofPractice.Visitthehubathttps://extensionhub.com.au/web/extension-practice



v

CurrentextensionenvironmentandsystemsTheprojectalsoinvolvedanevaluationofthecurrentextensionenvironmentandsystemstohelpbetterunderstandsystemstrengthsandweaknesses,whothekeyplayersare,andwhataretheirneeds.Thisworkincludedanassessmentofcurrentandpotentialfutureextensiondeliveryapproachesandhowtheseapproachescouldbeused.Insights,issuesandnationaltrendswithinthecurrentsystemofagriculturalextensioninAustraliaarelargelyconsistentwiththeliteratureandcanbesummarisedasfollows:

• Anincreasingdemandfromfarmersforextensionservicesthatsupportbothtacticalandstrategicdecisionmaking.Theagriculturalextensionsystemneedstorespondtothisneed,howeverimprovementsattheindividualproject,stateorindustrylevelwillnot,ontheirown,beenoughtomeetthisdemand.

• Animperativeforincreasingforindustryandgovernmentco-ordinationin

agriculturalextensionrelatingto:§ Thediversityofextensionprovidersandpotentialforgreaterprivatesector

involvement§ Regionalextensioneffortsthatarecross-industry§ Extensioncapabilityandcapacityplanninganddevelopmentinitiatives§ Engagingpublicandprivatesectorextensionprovidersinresearchpriority

settingandplanning§ Supportingculturalchangeinfarmers’willingnesstopayforadvice§ Recognitionthatthecurrentextensionsystemisfavouringlargerfarms

• Anincreasingrequirementforleadershipandexpertiseintheplanning,design

andreviewofRD&Eprogramsfromanextensionandinnovationperspective.

• AnincreasingneedfornewarrangementsinthestructuresofRD&Eprojects

andprogramsthatsupportco-innovation.Thediverserangeofserviceprovidersinextensionprovidesthecontextformorecomplexandagileextensionapproaches.

• Aneedforcontinuedsupportforbuildingextensioncapabilityandsupporting

developmentofbest-practiceextensionapproachesthroughinnovativeapproachesliketheExtensionHubandtheCommunitiesofPracticeitsupports.

StrategicnextstepsTheprojectidentifiedkeyissuesthatareimpactingtheeffectivenessoftheextensionsystemandprovidedinformationandadviceonstrategicnextstepsforAustralianprimaryindustryextension.

ThefindingsoftheprojectconsultantsGHD,QuantumMarketResearchandtheUniversityofMelbourneprovideinsightandguidanceonthenatureof,andfocusareasfor,strategicactionatthenational,industry,andregionalscalesinordertoimprovetheefficacyofthesystemandmeetfarmersneedsinthelongerterm.TheprojectExpertPanelsuggestthatitistheroleoftheResearchandInnovationCommitteeofthePrimaryIndustriesMinisterialCounciltoconsiderandundertakeonthesestrategicactions.ThesearepresentedinTableA.



vi

TableA:AreasforstrategicactioninAustralia’sagriculturalextensionsystem

Principlesforan

adaptiveextension

system

Outcomessought Strategicactions

Leadershipandprioritysetting

Thereisavisioninplacefortheextensionsystemcovering,priorities,institutionalarrangementsandappropriateleadership.

1.Clearownership,resourcingandleadershipforextensionfromgovernmentandindustry.2.Developmentandendorsementofaprogramforextensionleadership.

Resourcing Privateandpublicinvestmentinextensionandextensioncapacityissufficienttomeetstakeholderneeds.

(Seeaction3)

Capability • Careerpathwaysfornewentrantsintoextensionarevisibleandeffective.

• Professionalnetworksareavailablefornewandexistingextensionpersonnel.

• Thereiscontinualimprovementinextensioncapabilitythatdrawsonanestablishedandevolvingbodyofknowledge.

3.Anationalextensioncapabilityandcapacityplan,toinclude:• Anationalagreementon

professionalstandardsforprojectdesignandevaluation,andtrainingofindustry,government,andprivatedelivererstosupportimplementation.

• ResourcingtheExtensionHubandExtensionPracticeCoP’s.

• Identifyandresourcecapacityneeds.

Engagement • Greaterinteractionbetweenfarmers,extensionandresearch.

• Cross-sectoralcollaborationandco-ordinationofextensionprovidersforparticularregionalorcross-sectoralneeds.

• Novelapproachestoengagemarginalisedorvulnerablefarmsinaccessinginformation,adviceandsupport.

4.Anationalagreementbetweengovernments,RDC’sandkeyPrivatesectororganisationsinrelationtotheirroleinextension.5.Anationalagreementbetweengovernmentandagriculturalresearchorganisationsrelatedtotheformationofprogrammeteamsaroundkeyissuesandprioritiesincludingextensionexpertiseinresearchprojectdesign,prioritysettingandtranslation.

Collaborationandcoordination

Participantsintheextensionsystemwillinglyshareknowledgeandresourcesaroundsharedissues/mutualbenefits.

6.Regionalextensionstrategiesandagreementsbetweenextensionprofessionalswhocommittoco-ordinateandco-deliverindefinedareasofmutualinterestataregionallevel.7.Cross-sectoralprojectsrelatedtosharedissues.

Professionalism Investorsandprovidersofextensionuseagreedprofessionalstandardsandacommonthebodyofknowledgeforextensiondesignandevaluation.

(seeAction3)

Innovation Theextensionsystemcontinuallyimprovesandadoptsnewthinking.

8.Investinresearchandlearningrelatedtotheextensionsystem:howitfunctions;indicatorsofimpactandevolvingneedsandissues.



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ForumsandinformationexchangesTheprojectconductedforumsandfacilitatedinformationexchangeactivitiesthatweredesignedtoenhancecoordinationandleadershipofextensionprovisionacrossRDCs,stateandterritorygovernments,industries,privateextensionserviceproviders,universitiesandotherreliantstakeholders.Manyextensionprofessionalswhoparticipatedexpressedhowvaluabletheywere;clearlyforlastingimpacttheywillneedtocontinue.

Theprojectrecognisedthatagriculturalextensionisbeingdeliveredbyadiversityoforganisationsandproviders,sothereisnosinglesectororinstitutiontodrivetheidentifiedprioritiesandundertakethesuggestedactions,rather,acollaborativeapproachisrequiredgoingforward.Inbringingtogetherkeyparticipantscommittedtoimprovingapproachestoextensionandimprovetheprosperityofprimaryindustries,theprojecthashelpedtoensurethatcollaborationhasalreadybegun,thereisanexcellenttoolinplacetofacilitatemodernextensiondeliveryandapathwayforwardhasbeensuggested.Theprojecthashelpedcreatethefoundationsandestablishaneffectiveleadershipenvironmenttocatalyseactiontostrengthenextensiondelivery.

TheprojectwasfundedbytheAustralianGovernment’sRuralR&DforProfitprogramme.



1

AbbreviationsandglossaryCommunityofPractice(CoP)-InthiscontextaCommunityofPracticeiswhereacommunityofpeoplewithcommoninterestusetheon-lineCommunityofPracticetooltocollaborateandshareknowledgeonaprofessionalbasistofurtherdevelopandsharetheirknowledgeinvariouswaysonline.

CommunityofPracticetool-isanonlinetoolthatenablesageographicallyseparatedcommunityofinterest(includingresearchers,extensionprovidersandfarmers)tocollaborateontopicsrelevanttothem.

CommunityofInterest–isagroupofpeoplewithacommoninterestorissueswhoarewillingtoworkandlearntogether(whichinthiscontextislikelytoincluderesearchers,extensionprovidersandfarmers).

ExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice(ExtensionPracticeCoP)–istheCommunityofPracticeconcerningthepracticeofextension,establishedunderthisprojectandhostedontheRIRDCExtensionHubathttps://extensionhub.com.au/.

ExpertPanel–TheExpertPanelwasmadeupofextensionexpertsandrepresentativesfromaroundAustralia,includingprojectpartners.TheroleoftheExpertPanelwastooverseeonthestrategic,tacticalandoperationalaspectsoftheprojectdeliveryandtheimplementationoftheExtensionHub.AnumberofmembershavecommittedtobeingmembersofaleadershipgroupthatisoverseeingtheongoingExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice.



2

1 ProjectrationaleandobjectivesThisprojectwasestablishedtoaddressthenationalissueoffragmentationintheAustralianagriculturalextensionsystem.Thisissueisaffectingtheefficiencyofextensiondelivery,subsequentlyreducingtheadoptionofR&Dandimpactingonproductivityandprofitabilityforallstakeholders.

Theprojectaimedtobringruralresearchanddevelopmentcorporation(RDCs)andotherkeyextensionstakeholderstogethertoaddressthecurrentinadequaciesidentifiedinPriority4aand4coftheRound1R&D4ProfitProgrammeGuidelinesasfollows:

4.Strengthenon-farmadoptionandimproveinformationflows

Priority4(a)

consolidateknowledgeofextensionandadoptiontobetterdeliverpracticalresultstoprimaryproducers,foundedonwhatproducerswantfromextensionservices.

Priority4(b)

identifypracticalproposalstostimulateprivatesectorextensionservices,particularlytofillcurrentgaps.

Priority4(c)

identifypracticalmeanstoco-ordinateextensionservicesforproducers,includingthedevelopmentoftoolsand/orplatforms.

Thegoalofthisprojectwasnottotakeonthewholedeliveryofextensionknowledge,toolsandserviceprovisionbutratherhelpcreatethefoundationsandestablishaneffectiveleadershipenvironmenttocatalyseactionthatstrengthenstheextensiondelivery.

ThisprojectintegratedwithanotherRuralR&DforProfitprogramprojectledbyDairyAustralia(StimulatingprivatesectorextensioninAustralianagriculturetoincreasereturnsfromR&D)whichaimstoanalyseandstimulateprivatesectorextensionforAustralianagriculturetoaddresspriority4(b).

Bydeliveringthefollowingoutcomesthisprojectaimedtostrengthenonfarminformationflowsandadoption,toidentifythefutureinformationrequirementsoffarmersandwherefurtherinterventionswererequiredtomeettheseneeds.

1. Apracticalextensioninformationhubwhichconsolidatesandorganisesexistingknowledgeandtoolsandresourcesrelatedtoextensioninawaythatisaccessibleforinformationthedesignandimplementationofextensionbypublicandprivateproviders.

2. Anevaluationofthecurrentextensioncircumstancesandsystemstohelpbetterunderstandsystemstrengthsandweaknesseswhothekeyplayersareandtheirneedsandapossiblestrategicpathforward.Thisincludedanassessmentofcurrentandpotentialfutureextensiondeliveryapproachedandadviceonhowtheseapproachescouldbeused.

3. Asynthesisofexistingknowledgetodrawoutwhatwealreadyknowworksandwhyinrelationtobusinessfinancialperformance,responsivenesstomarketsNRMchallenges,adoptionofnewtechnology.



3

4. Asynthesisoflessonsthatcanbesharedacrossindustrysectorsandjurisdictionsthisisparticularlyusefulduringthistimesofchangewheresomeindustriesarealreadyutilisingagreaterproportionofprivateextensionservicesthatotherandsomehaveoftriallingnewtechnologydrivenapproachesthatcouldberelevantforothersectors.

5. ThecreationofsuitableforumsandinformationexchangesthatwillenhancecoordinationandleadershipofextensionprovisionacrossRDCs,stateandterritorygovernments,industriesprivateextensionserviceproviders,universitiesandotherreliantstakeholders.

6. AreportwithinformationandadviceonstrategicnextstepsforAustralianprimaryindustryextension.

Theobjectivesoftheprojectdidnotchangeduringdelivery;howeverthereweresomeminorvariationstotheproject.Thesewereenactedbecausetheywereseenbytheprojectmanager,theExpertPanelandthedepartmentasopportunitiestosignificantlyincreasetheimpact,reachandlegacyoftheproject.Thevariations,asapprovedbytheDepartment,were:

• DevelopinganExtensionHubwiththeabilitytohostanumberofCommunitiesofPractice.NotingthisinnovationwasinpartaboveandbeyondtheoriginalscopeoftheprojectsoitwaspredominantlyfundedbyRIRDC,withtheprojectfundscoveringonlyasmallportionoftheassociatedcosts.

• ReplacingthestaticwebsitethatwasoriginallyplannedwithacollaborativeExtensionPracticeCoPtomanagetheextensionresourcesthatweregatheredandcuratedunderthisprojectandtofacilitatecollaborationonanongoingbasis.ThisCoPhasthepotentialtoachieveasignificantlygreaterimpactthanthestaticwebsiteandisbeingmaintainedinthelongerterm.



4

2 Methodandprojectlocations

Thisprojectinvolvedaseriesofactivitiesandassociatedmethodologies,eachofwhichcontributedtoprojectoutcomes.Herethemethodsarediscussedbyactivity.

Activity1-Projectinitiationandmanagement

TheprojectwasmanagedbyadedicatedProjectManageremployedbyRIRDCwho,undertheguidanceoftheGeneralManageratRIRDC,managedallaspectsoftheprojectdelivery.

AprojectExpertPanelwasconvenedtoaddadditionaltechnicalexpertiseintotheproject.TheExpertPanelwasmadeupofextensionexpertsfromaroundAustraliaandincludedrepresentativesfromallprojectpartners.ThePanelcametogetherfourtimesduringtheproject.Theirrolewastoprovideexpertstrategicadvicetokeyareasoftheproject,toassistwiththenationalsynthesisofextensionknowledge,toassistprojectevaluationandtomakefinalprojectrecommendations

Figure1givesanoverviewofhowtheExpertPaneloperated,providingspecialistinputintotheprojectelements.

Itwasrecognisedthatadditionaltechnicalexpertisewouldberequiredtodeliverthisprojecttoahighstandardsoanumberofexternalserviceproviders,wereengagedbyRIRDCtoprovidespecialistservicestotheproject.Thiswastodeliver,orassisttodeliver,Activities2,3,4and5.TheProjectManagerhadoversightoftheseserviceproviderstoensuretimelydeliveryofaqualityproduct.



5

Figure1ExpertPanelfunctionality

ExpertPanel

(Activity5)

Communications(Activity5)

Literaturereview

(Activity2)

Strategiccuration(Activity2)

FocusGroupsActivity3

FarmerSurvey(Activity3)

Analyticalevaluationframework(Activity3)

Summits(Activity5)

Hubdevelopment(Activity2)

RDC/StateEngagement(Activity5)

Extension

Practice

Community

ofPractice

Ongoing

activities



6

Activity2InformationHub/platform(ExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice)

TheExtensionPracticeCoPwasdevelopedusingasteppedprocess:1. ConsultationwiththeExpertPanelontheappropriateplatform2. Developmentofasuitableplatform3. Desktopliteraturereviewanddatabasingofresources4. Strategiccurationofresourcesfortargetaudiences5. Surveyoftargetaudience6. Strategiccurationofresourcesforcertaintargetaudiences7. Develop,inconsultationwithstakeholders,standardsforcollatingnewinformationfor

additiontothedatabase8. DevelopmentoftheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPracticetomanagetheresources.

Originallytheprojectplannedtodevelopandextensioninformationhubthatwouldhostavarietyofcuratedextensioninformationonastaticwebsite.However,itbecomeclearthatthisprojectcoulddelivermorethanthat:itcoulddeliveranExtensionHubwhichcouldhostanumberofCommunitiesofPractice,aninteractivetoolthatenablescollaborationandinformationsharing.

ThegenesisforthisstemsfromtheworkoriginallyundertakenbytheUSbasedeXtensionFoundationonane-extensionplatformdeliveringaseriesofextension,collaborationandinformationservicesandknowledgeproductsviaaweb-basedportal.

TheeXtensionsiteisaninteractivelearningenvironmentdeliveringtheresearchknowledgefromtoendusers.TheprimaryfocusoftheUSeXtensionprojectisconnectingknowledgeconsumerswithknowledgeprovidersandiswhythatprojectformedacompatiblebasetotheExtensionHubprojectinitsaimsandtechnologicalapproach.

BasedontheUSexperience,AustraliaviatheVictorianDepartmentofPrimaryindustriesundertookapilotprojecttrailingtheUSdeveloped“eXtension”modelwithtwoGRDCfundedprojects(cropnutritionandfieldcropdiseases)anddevelopedthemasCoPs.ThisprojectwascalledeXtensionAUSandwasoperatedunderaspecialagreementwiththeeXtensionFoundation.

RIRDCsawthepotentialofdevelopinganExtensionHubsolelyforAustralia,sodevelopedthishubandinatrulycollaborativeeffortmigratedthetwoGRDCpilotCoPsontotheExtensionHub.

FromthereandunderthisR&D4Profitproject,anExtensionPracticeCoPwasdeveloped,thusdeliveringtostakeholder’scollaborativeandinteractivewebsitewhich,amongstotherfunctions,couldhosttheextensionresources.ThiswasdoneasitwasseenasanopportunitytoenhancethedeliverableasthisCoPallowsthememberstoownandinteractwiththeresources,extensionexpertsandendusers.TheExpertPanelwerealsokeentorecommendthattheprojectdevelopthiscollaborativeplatformtobothtoincreasereachandtoovercomeknowledgelegacyissuesthroughtheongoingcurationandmanagementofthoseresources.ThustheprojectdevelopedamuchmoreinfluentialtoolthatisnowtheExtensionPracticeCoP.

Toenablethissteps4involvedfurthercurationoftheresourcesfromanelectronicperspectivewhichwasundertakenbyaconsultantwithspecialistexpertiseinelectronicextensionservices,sothattheywereinaformatcompatiblewiththeExtensionHub.



7

Activity3Evaluationofcurrentsystem

Theevaluationofthecurrentsysteminvolvedthefollowingactivitiesandmethodologies:

1. Completionofanevaluationframeworktoinformtheevaluation2. DesktopandliteraturereviewofcurrentextensionsituationinAustralia3. Evaluationofcurrentextensionsystemtounderstandstrengthsandweaknesses,and

possiblestrategicpathwaysforward.4. Researchscantoidentifygapsinextensionservicesinrelationtoidentifiedactivities

aimedatdesigningimprovedextensionknowledge,toolsandapproaches.5. Nationalfarmersurveywithasampleof1000farmersfromaroundAustralia6. Informationgathering,including

a. focusGroupswithextensionstakeholdersaslistedinTable1b. aNationalExtensionSummitwasheldon21April2016atWaggaWagga

attendingbymorethan70extensionprofessionalsfromaroundAustraliac. keypersoninterviewswith14keyinformants(includingrepresentativesfrom

NewSouthWalesandVictorianstateagenciesandthecotton,dairy,horticulture,meatandlivestock,porkandsugarindustries).

7. DiscussionPaperconsultationwith22respondents(11%responserate)

Tables1and2summarisetheengagementassociatedwiththeevaluationofthecurrentsystem.Table1–Focusgroupmeetings

Date Location Participants

18thMay AdelaideSA 719thMay AdelaideSA 108thJune NorthamWA 69thJune BunburyWA 1130thJune DarwinNT 1018thJuly LauncestonRAS 1219thJuly BallaratVIC 920thJuly BenallaVIC 627thJuly ToowoombaQLD 1028thJuly DubboNSW 11TOTAL 92

Additionallyadiscussionpaperwaspreparedwhichpresentedtheinitialprojectfindings.Thiswassenttoapproximately200keystakeholderssothattheinitialfindingscouldbetested.Ofthese,23peoplerespondedtothediscussionpaperandtheresultscouldbefurtherrefinedLocationsofthesediscussionpaperrecipientsandrespondentsarecontainedinTable2.



8

Table2Discussionpaperrecipientsandrespondents

State/TerritoryExpert

panel

Focusgroup

attendees

Focus

group

apologies

Total

recipientsRespondents

NSW 2 11 14 27 7NT 1 10 2 13 0QLD 1 10 11 22 3SA 0 16 11 27 1TAS 1 13 6 20 1VIC 3 15 28 46 3WA 2 17 25 44 7National 0 0 0 1 1Total 10 92 97 200 23

Activity4–Synthesesandlessons

Thesynthesisreportsummarisedthefindingsfromalloftheprojectactivitieswiththepurposeofsupportstrategicactionsbykeystakeholdersbeyondtheproject.Thisreportidentified:constraintstocross-sectoralcollaborationandco-ordinationonagriculturalextensionandkeyprioritiesforactionandmakessuggestionsrelatedtohowtheycanbeimplemented.

WorkwithintheprojectexploredthreefundamentalelementsoftheAustralianAgriculturalExtensionSystem,namely:

1) Howthesystemisstructured

2) Whatweknowaboutthemethods,approachesandtoolsusedinextension

3) Farmerandserviceproviderperspectiveswithregardstoexpectationsanduseofextensionbothnowandinthefuture

Inthesynthesisreportinsightsfromthese‘inputs’wassummarisedintothreesections:

Section1:Adescriptionofwhatweknowaboutthecurrentsituationinthesethreeareas

Section2:Adiscussionoftheimplicationsofthisfortheextensionsystemofthefuture

Section3:Recommendationsoncriticalchangeareasnecessarytobuildoffinsightsfromthiswork

Thesynthesisreportsummarisetheresultsoftheresearchworkandinformationgatheringintosomeusefullessonsandtosetoutthecollectivewayforward.Usingdesk-topliteraturereviewandprojectsynthesistoassesscurrentandpotentialfutureextensiondeliveryapproachesandprovideadviceontheirapplicabilityforprimaryindustries.

Asetofcasestudieswerealsopreparedonsuccessfulextensionprojectandprogramsthatcouldinformotherjurisdictions.ThesewereundertakenbyCurieCommunicationsunderthedirectionofRIRDCandinvolvedfocusgroupconsultation.



9



10

Activity5Forumsandevents

Table3Projecteventsandforums

Event Purpose Methods

Fourexpertpanelmeetings Todriveanddirecttheproject Facilitateddiscussion

Onemajornationalsummit Collaborationandsettingtheprojectframework Facilitateddiscussion

Oneresearchdevelopmentcorporationnationalworkshop

Collaborationandpresentingtheprojectresultsanddiscussingawayforwardforextensionservices

Facilitateddiscussion

OneExtensionPracticeCoPworkshop

ToupskilltheExpertPanelontheCoPfunctionality Facilitateddiscussion

TenfocusgroupsacrossallstatesofAustralia

Toevaluatetheextensionsystem Qualitativesocialresearch

RegionalNRMconferencePresentedpreliminaryprojectresultsandCoPconcepts

Presentation

APENBoardmeetingPresentedpreliminaryprojectresultsandCoPconcepts

Presentation

Projectevaluation

Theprocessofreviewingthisprojectinvolvedareviewoftheprojectoutputsandinterviewswithkeystakeholdersintheproject.EightInterviewswereconductedandoneparticipantobservationwasrecorded.Theinterviewswerecandid‘semi-structuredreflections’ofExpertPanelmembersandStakeholders.Theresultingdatawasthenorganisedusingareflectiveframework(ORID)foreachprojectcomponent.Reflectionsfocusonprojectoutputsandprocessandanyknownoutcomes.



11

3 ProjectachievementsHerekeyresultsforeachcomponentoftheprojectaredescribed.

3.1 ProjectlevelachievementsThisprojectsetoutwhatitaimedtodo;namelytoreversesomethedriversoffragmentationthatareimpactingondelivery,consolidateextensionknowledgeandevaluatetheextensionsystem,identifyingpracticalandachievableactionsthatwhenactionedwillleadtoimprovementstoourextensionsystems,helpingitmeetthefuturedemandsandopportunitiesinprimaryindustries.

TheprojectachievementsandtheevaluationofeacharesetoutherebyactivityinTable4.



12

Table4Projectachievementsandtheevaluation

Output KPIdescriptionStatusagainst

KPIsProgressachievedagainst

KPI

OutputsSomeoutputscontributedtoseveralActivities,inwhichcasethemost

relevantreportislistedfirst.

Impactofactivitytowardsobjectives

Activity1-Projectinitiationandmanagement

1a Projectinitiation Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

Theprojectwasinitiatedinatimelyfashionandasuitablyqualifiedandskilledprojectmanagerappointed.

Observations Theprojectplanwasclearandcontainedalltheappropriatecomponents.TheExpertPanelprovidedinputintoallaspectsoftheproject.

ChangesatRIRDCduringtheprojectwerewellmanagedbutdidcausesomedisruption,particularlyincommunication.

Reflections Thereweremanycommentsabouttheprojecttimeframeandallfeltitwasanambitiousprojectinacompressedtimeframe.

I(Expertpanelmember)thinktheprojectmadegoodprogress,giventhetimeframe.

MembersoftheexpertpanelsuggestedthatthescopeoftheprojectandTermsofReferenceofthegroupwerenotentirelycleartothematthebeginningoftheproject.Itwasalsouncleartosomehowthewrappingupactivitywouldtakeplace,thesynthesis

1b Detailedprojectplanningincludingprojectplan,riskmanagement.evaluationplancompletedandprovidedtotheDepartment

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

AlloftheseplanswerecompletedandsubmittedtotheDepartment.Theevaluationplanwascompletedbasedonprojectoutputsandthefinalreportisattachedhere

Projectplan

Riskmanagementplan

Evaluationplan

(ProvidedwithMilestoneReport1)

1c Ongoingmanagement,coordinationandreporting

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

Theprojectwassuccessfullymanagedaccordingtotheprojectmanagementplanensuringalldeliverablesweremetontime.



13

1d Deliverendofprojectevaluationandreport

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

Theevaluationplanwascompleted,basedonprojectoutputsasper1b.Theevaluationreportiscompleteandisappendedtothisfinalreport.

ProjectEvaluationReport(Attachment11)

ExpertPanelreport(Attachment10)

report,ExpertPanelReportandProjectReview.

Allagreedthatbeinginvolvedinthisprojectwasapositiveexperience.

Interpretation ExpertPanelmemberssuggestedthattheywouldbeinvolvedinasimilarprojectinthefutureiftheopportunityarose.

TheprojectmanagementwasresponsivetocircumstancesandmadegooduseoftheExpertPanel.Thisadaptivenesswasanecessaryfeatureandagreatstrengthofthisproject.

Ienjoyedtheopportunitytomakeacontribution(asamemberoftheExpertPanel)andwouldgladlydoitagain.

Icanseethisisthestartofsomethingandthatisrefreshing.

DevelopingsynergieswithotherRDCprojects,namelytheDairyExtensionproject(inexploringprivatesectorinvestment)andtheGRDCinformationservices(forFieldCropDiseasesandCropNutritionportalsintheExtensionHub)wasreallyimportant.Thisis

1e Termsofreferencefortheindependentevaluationofthecurrentextensionsystemcompletedandapprovedbythedepartment

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

Theanalyticalframework(termsofreference)wascompletedbyRIRDCinconjunctionwiththeserviceproviderswhohadtherequiredtechnicalskills.ItwassenttothedepartmentaspartofMilestoneReport2.

Analyticalframeworkforthenationalevaluationofthecurrentextensionsystem(ProvidedwithMilestoneReport2)



14

areflectionofgoodRIRDCprojectmanagement.

Thiswasabrilliantfeatureoftheprojectandmodelledthekindofcollaborationsneededinthefuture.Collaborativeplanninganddevelopmentofextensionmustbeprioritisedandresourcedforittowork.

Action Itisimportanttowrapuptheprojectwellandcommunicatetheoutcomes.

ConsiderformalisingtheroleandcommunicationsoftheExpertPanelinanyfutureprojects.

CommunicationacrossRDC’sandwithotherStakeholdersonExtensioninitselfhassavedresourcesandcreatedbetteroutcomes.Thisshouldcontinue.



15

Activity2-InformationHub/platform

2a Developaframeworktocollectorganizeandpresentextensioninformationantools

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

Aframeworkfortheknowledgecollectionandcurationofextensionwasbeendeveloped.

Aframeworkfortheknowledgecollectionandcurationofextension.

(ProvidedwithMilestoneReport2)

Observations TheHubiscompleteandpopulatedwithcuratedExtensionPracticeresourcesandisnowoperational.

Thecompilationofandcurationofresourceswassuccessfulandisnowcomplete.

Reflections TheExtensionHubwasintendedtoprovideapracticaloutcomefromthisproject.Ithasachievedthisoutcomeanditrequiredmuchtimeandefforttobringittocompletion.

Interpretation Theinitialfocusonthewebsiteasanextensiondocumentreceptaclewasabitlimited.

Itwasduringthelifeoftheprojectthatthegrouprecognisedtheneedtoadoptamoreactivefocusontheuserofthesystemanda‘CommunityofPractice’approachwasadopted.TheexpertpanelagreedthatpursuingtheCoPapproachwasimportantasitmakestheHubmuchmorepurposefulandversatile.TheExtensionPracticeCoPisavaluableresourceforanyoneprovidingextensionservices.

TheHubisagoodstartandifitcangetgoing(inthenext6months)itwillbeagoodlegacy.

2b Collateadatabaseofexistinginformation,sourcesandtools,eachassessedforrelevancefocusanduse

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

Theservicesoftwoorganisationswithextensionexpertisewereprocuredtoundertakethetask.TheUniversityofMelbourneprovidedabroadliteraturereviewofextensioninformationandtools,identifyingkeyknowledgeresources;GavinBeeverfurtheredthisworkbyprovidingastrategicreviewoftheresultswiththeexpressaimofensuringtheirsuitabilityfortheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice.

FurthermorethisExtensionPracticeCommunityof

DesktopCurationofExtensionandAdoptionKnowledge(Attachment5)

StrategicCurationofExtensionandKnowledgeinAustralia(Attachment6).



16

Practicewasdevelopmenttomanagetheseresourcesinaflexibleandinteractivewaythatwillextendbeyondthelifeoftheproject.

‘TheHubhaspotentialtoproviderealvalueinthefuture,althoughmuchmoreworkisrequiredtomakeitmoreusableandapplicableforthevariousneedsoftheextensioncommunity.’

TheExtensionHub,particularlywiththeExtensionPracticeCoPwasfelttobeabletocaterforagrowingdiversityofpractitionersandalsotocaterforthoseinisolatedsituations.

ActionThereismoreworktobedoneincommunicatingandestablishingtheExtensionHubasaresourceforotherindustrygroupsandtheExtensionPracticePortalasaresourceforpracticeleadersandpractitioners.

SeveralExpertPanelmembersagreedtobecomeinvolvedasleadersoftheCoPforExtensionPracticeontheExtensionHub.

2c Develop,inconsultationwithstakeholders,standardsforcollatingnewinformationforadditiontothedatabase

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

Asper2baboveahighlyskilledcontractorwasengagedtoreviewtheinformationandresources,withtargetaudiences,andtofillanygapsinknowledge.Thisworkalsoinvolveddevelopingataggingandcurationsystemtoensureconsistentcollectionofresourcesintothefuture.

StrategicCurationofExtensionandKnowledgeinAustralia(Attachment6)


2d Developandreleasepubliclyaccessibleeasytomaintaininformationtechnologyplatform(website)

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

TheprojectdevelopedanExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice,whichisahighlysophisticatedtoolthatenablesacommunityofinteresttointeractandshareinformation.Thisdeliveryexceededthedevelopmentofastaticwebsiteandthefunctionalitywillfacilitateongoinguseoftheplatform,beyondthelifeoftheproject.

ExtensionHubliveandactive

https://extensionhub.com.au/

RIRDCConsolidatingExtensionProjectReporting–FinalReportandTechnicalSpecification



17

(ExtensionHub)(Attachment3)

EAFFUserGuide(ExtensionHub)(Attachment4)



18

Activity3-EvaluationoftheCurrentextensionsystem

3a ConductanindependentevaluationoftheAustralianextensionsystemforprimaryproducersinaccordancewiththetermsofreferencedevelopedin1e

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

Thenationalevaluationoftheextensionsystemassessedthecurrentsituationagainstfuturedemandsandneedsofagricultureandfarmers.

TheindependentevaluationinvolvedwidestakeholderconsultationaroundAustraliaandacrossmostagriculturalindustrysectors.

Inadditionanationalfarmersurveywascompletedtoinformthenationalassessment.

Adesktopreviewofextensionapproachesandpoliciesalsoinformedthenationalevaluationandthefinalsynthesisreport.

PrimaryIndustryExtensionandAdoptioninAustralia(Attachment1)

NationalFarmersurveyonExtensionServices–MarketResearchReport(Attachment2)


Observations Theevaluationoftheextensionsystemmadegoodprogressinthecompressedtimeframeandwascompletedontime.Thereportrepresentsanddescribesthedatacapturedduringtheconsultationphaseandgooduseismadeofappendixtoincludemuchofthisinformation.

Reflections Reflectingonthetimeframe,thewholeprocessfeltrushedincludingtheschedulingofthefocusgroups,throughtotimeframesforfeedbackandproducingfinalreports.TherewasalotofgoodwillandinterestfromExpertpanelandStatecontactstoassisttheprojectandtheevaluationteam.

Itwasagoodprojecttobeinvolvedin.Thereweremanypeoplewhovoluntarilycontributedthroughthesurvey,focusgroups,Summitworkshop,andExpertPanel.

Interpretation TheExpertPanelfeedbackonthedraftDiscussionPaperwasimportanttothecontentoftheEvaluationreport,andcontributedtotheredraftingofthePrioritydetail.

Section3oftheEvaluationReportwhichisfocusedonidentifyingpotentialimprovementswasderivedfromtheanalysis



19

ofthedataandisaccompaniedbylonglistsofactionsidentifiedintheconsultation.Thissectioninparticularwouldhavebenefitedfromfurtherinvestigationanddistilling.

Somestakeholdersfeltthattheevaluationdidnotgofarenough:

Iwouldhavelikedtheprojecttoconsidertheeffectivenessofthenewermodelsofextension-inconnectingwithR&Dandincreatinglastingpracticechange.

ActionAdecisionwasmadetodevelopanexpertpanelstatementtofurtherrefineandmorebroadlythemessagesfromtheevaluation.

RIRDCalsoagreedtodevelopafollowonproject/s:

Wehavebeeninvitedtohavesomefeedbackinafollowupprojectwhichseekstooperationalisethehub(todeliveronevaluationPriority3involvingbuildingextensioncapability).



20

Activity4-Synthesisandlessons

4a Undertakealiteraturereviewandconsultationprocesstoidentifycrossindustryandcross-jurisdictionallessons

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

Thisoutputwasaddressedinanumberofprojectactivities,includingbeingaresearchquestionwithinthedesktopcurationreportundertakenbytheUniversityofMelbourne.

Inaddition,anumberofcasestudiesofsuccessfuldeliveryofextensionserviceswereidentifiedthroughconsultationactivities.

TakingStrategicActiontoImproveExtensionServicesforAustralianFarmersandFishers(Synthesisreport)(Attachment8)



CasestudyreportofsuccessfulextensionprojectsfromaroundAustralia(Attachment9)

ObservationsThesynthesiswasdevelopedaftertheHubandtheevaluationwascompleted.

Reflections Thisreportwasimportantfortheexpertpanelreflectionsandthetworeportsweredevelopedconcurrently,makingitdifficultfortheexpertpaneltodrawonthesynthesisreportinordertomaketheirfinalstatement.

Interpretation Itwouldhavebeengoodtohaveaccesstothisreportearlieranddrawonthisfortheexpertpanelreport.ThesynthesiswasconsideredveryimportantasitalsoconsideredthepreliminaryoutcomesoftheDairyAustraliareport.

Thecombinedextensionprojects(thisprojectandtheDairyAustraliaproject)haveputextensionbackonthemap.

ActionThesynthesisreportandotherprojectoutputsprovideacurrentcontextfornewideasaroundextensiontobeproposedandexploredandseveralprojectstakeholderswereinterestedinpursuingthoughtleadershipinthisarea.Thebigquestionis-whatnow?Thereare



21


opportunitiesatExtensioneventse.g.TownsvilleAPENConferencenextyear.

Theexpertpanelstatementisintendedtoencouragebroaderadoptionoftheresultsofthewholeprojectasdescribedinthesynthesisreport.4b Undertake

literaturereviewandconsultationprocesstofillidentifiedknowledgegaps

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

ThistaskwassubstantiallycompletedthroughthedesktopreviewofliteratureundertakenbytheUniversityofMelbourneandthroughconsultationassociatedwiththeNationalAssessment.

Theseactivitieshighlightedmanysignificantgapsinextensionprovisionhowevernotmanygapsinextensionknowledge.




NationalFarmersurveyonExtensionServices–MarketResearch



22

Report(Attachment2)

4c ProvideareportonstrategicnextstepsforAustralianextensiontoprimaryproducers

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

TheSynthesisReportbringstogetheralltheprojectoutputsandrecommendssomestrategicactionsornextstepsforAustralianextension.







23

Activity5-Strategicforumsandevents

5a Creationofapanelofextensionexpertstoidentifygapsandopportunitiesinthesystemandcontributetothestrategicnextstepsreport(4c)

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

TheExpertPanelmetfourtimesduringthecourseoftheproject.TheExpertPanelwasexpandedtoincluderepresentationsfromallstateandterritories.Consultationsandmeetingswithallpanelmembersoccurredonaregularbasisduringthisperiod

ExpertPanel ObservationsTheeventswerewellmanagedandreportedandtheindependentevaluationNationalSummitsuggestsitwasasuccessfulevent.

Thecommunicationproductsandoutputs(e.g.flyer,mediarelease)wereusedincommunicatingtheprojectinnetworksandenlistingsupportforparticipationintheproject.

Reflections Adecisionwasmadetonotspendprojectresources(andlimitedtime)oncommunicatingacrossthebroadersector,buttoselectivelycommunicatetheprojectprogressandopportunitiestohaveinputinevents.

PeoplewerekeentobeinvolvedinthefocusgroupsandtheSummitinWagga.

Theparticipatorynatureoftheproject,involvingstakeholderswasimportant.Stakeholdersfeltitwasimportanttobeinvolved,tolistentowhatwasbeingcommunicated,andhaveasay,andmanyfeltcompelledtoensuretheirgroup,industry,ororganisations’viewswererepresented.

5b Holdtwoforumsofresearchanddevelopmentcorporations,stateanterritorygovernmentsandotherselectedstakeholderstohelpRDCandextensionprovidersadvanceandcontinuouslyimprovetheirextensionactivities

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

ThefirstforumwasdeliveredasaNationalSummitandwassuccessfullyconductedon21April2016inWaggaWagga.TheSummitwaswellattendedwith70peoplefromaroundAustralianattending,includinggovernmentandprivatesectorparticipants.TheSummitwasorganisedinpartnershipwithNSWDPIandtherelatedR&DforProfitprojectfocusedonprivatesectorextension.TheevaluationreportedahighlevelofsatisfactionwiththeSummit.

Summit1WorkshopandEvaluationReport

(ProvidedwithMilestone2report)

Meetingminutes



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ThesecondforumtookadifferentshapeandwasdeliveredasanationalRDC(ResearchDevelopmentCorporation)collaborationforumon2November2016.HeretheresultsofthenationalassessmentofextensionservicesandtheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPracticewerepresented.Importantly,someoptionsforthewayforwardwiththeCommunityofPracticewerediscussedandsomestrategicplanningonhowtoimproveextensionstrategieswithintheRDCsystemswasheld.

Theoverallexperienceofbeinginvolvedintheprojectwasimportanttoourclients.

Interpretation Theprojectconnectedpeopleinmanyways.Inthefocusgroups,therewerenewpractitionersandexperiencedpractitioners,policymakersandprofessionalsacrossvariousinstitutions.TherewasvalueintheprocessofengagingStakeholdersinaconversationandprovidinganopportunityforattendeestolearnaboutfutureneedsandopportunities.

Itisdifficulttoproveoutcomesfromthisinteractionbutthefeedbacksuggestedthattheprojectactivitycontributedtostrengtheningoflocalandregionalconnectionsandnetworks.

ActionThereisastrongneedtocommunicatetheprojectoutputsandoutcomesand‘launch’theExtensionHub.

5c PromotethedevelopedextensionresourcesforprivateandpublicsectorstakeholdersandcreateopportunitiesincollaborationwiththeleadershipteamofR&D4P14-01-

Achieved

Partiallyachieved

Notachieved

ThecurrentpublishedextensionresourcesthathavebecomeamajorparttheExtensionPracticeCoPofachieveover500hitspermonth.

Theprojectpartners/teamhascreatedanongoingmanagementsystemfortheExtensionPracticeCoPincludinghowtomanagethe

ExtensionHubEvaluationReport(Attachment7)

StrategicCurationofExtensionandKnowledgeinAustralia(Attachment6)



25

011projectforthesepartiestoshareknowledgewiththegoaltoimproveextensionservicesforprimaryproducers

resourcesandcreatefurthercollaborativelinksbetweenexpertsandpractitionersonanongoingbasis.



26

TheprojectsynthesisedtheresearchdoneintotheextensionsystemandidentifiedasetofstrategicactionsthatwhenimplementedwillimproveextensionservicesforfarmersandfishersinAustralia.ThesearesummarisedinTable5.

Table5AreasforstrategicactioninAustralia’sagriculturalextensionsystem

Principlesforanadaptive

extensionsystem

Outcomessought Strategicactions

Leadershipandprioritysetting

Thereisavisioninplacefortheextensionsystemcovering,priorities,institutionalarrangementsandappropriateleadership.

1.Clearownership,resourcingandleadershipforextensionfromgovernmentandindustry.

2.Developmentandendorsementofaprogramforextensionleadershipdevelopment.

Resourcing Privateandpublicinvestmentinextensionandextensioncapacityissufficienttomeetstakeholderneeds.

(Seeaction3)

Capability • Careerpathwaysfornewentrantsintoextensionarevisibleandeffective.

• Professionalnetworksareavailablefornewandexistingextensionpersonnel.

• Thereiscontinualimprovementinextensioncapabilitythatdrawsonanestablishedandevolvingbodyofknowledge.

3.Anationalextensioncapabilityandcapacityplan,toinclude:

• Anationalagreementonprofessionalstandardsforprojectdesignandevaluationandtrainingofindustry,government,andprivatedelivererstosupportimplementation.

• ResourcingtheExtensionHubandExtensionPracticeCoP’s.

• Identifyandresourcecapacityneeds.

Engagement • Greaterinteractionbetweenfarmers,extensionandresearch.

• Cross-sectoralcollaborationandco-ordinationofextensionprovidersforparticularregionalorcross-sectoralneeds.

• Novelapproachestoengagemarginalisedorvulnerablefarmsinaccessinginformation,adviceandsupport.

4.Anationalagreementbetweengovernments,RDC’sandkeyPrivatesectororganisationsinrelationtotheirroleinextension.

5.Anationalagreementbetweengovernmentandagriculturalresearchorganisationsrelatedtotheformationofprogrammeteamsaroundkeyissuesandprioritiesincludingextensionexpertiseinresearchprojectdesign,prioritysettingandtranslation.

Collaborationandcoordination

Participantsintheextensionsystemwillinglyshareknowledgeandresourcesaroundsharedissues/mutualbenefits.

6.Regionalextensionstrategiesandagreementsbetweenextensionprofessionalswhocommittoco-ordinateandco-deliverindefinedareasofmutualinterestataregionallevel.

7.Cross-sectoralprojectsrelatedtosharedissues.



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Professionalism Investorsandprovidersofextensionuseagreedprofessionalstandardsandacommonthebodyofknowledgeforextensiondesignandevaluation.

(seeAction3)

Innovation Theextensionsystemcontinuallyimprovesandadoptsnewthinking.

8.Investinresearchandlearningrelatedtotheextensionsystem:howitfunctions;indicatorsofimpactandevolvingneedsandissues.

3.2 Contributiontoprogrammeobjectives

Thisprojectcontributedsignificantlytoprogrammeobjectives.Ithasdonesothroughspecificactivitiesdesignedtoimprovetheproductivityandprofitabilityoffarmersthroughimprovementsintheextensionsystemandthedeliveryofaninnovativeextensiontool,theExtensionHub(whichwaspartfundedbythisproject)andtheExtensionPracticeCoP.Additionally,inidentifyingactionsthatwillimprovetheextensionsysteminthelongterm,theprojecthasthepotentialtoimpactthesystemintothefuture,iftheseactionsaretaken.

Specificallytheprojecthascontributedtoprogramoutcomesthrough:

• GeneratinganinnovativeextensiontooltothedirectbenefitoffarmerswhousetheExtensionHub(whichwaspartfundedbythisproject)andtheExtensionPracticeCoP.Thisisalsoareallyusefultoolforextensionpractitionersandprovidesadirectbenefittofarmersthroughitsimpactonfacilitatingastrongerextensionsystem.ItalsoinpartfulfilsademandfromfarmersforgreaterdirectinteractionwithresearchersandresearchorganisationsasCoPincreasethecollaborationsbetweenallparticipantsintheCoP,whichincludesfarmers,extensionpractitionersandresearchers.

• Strengtheningpathwaystoadoptionthroughtheenhancedextensionsystem.Lookingforward,hascreatedthefoundationsforfurtherimprovementsthroughtheevaluationandassessmentofthesystem,identifyingfarmer’sinformationneedsandhowtheycanbebettermet.Importantlythisworkincludesasetofstrategicactionsthatwhenimplementedhavethepotentialtoimproveextensionservicesintothefuture.

• Establishingandfosteringindustryandextensioncollaborativenetworks.Theprojectheldanumberofforumsthatwentsomedistanceinfacilitatingcollaborationacrosstheextensionsystemandestablishingaframeworkofforumsforfuturecollaboration.

Theprojectwasasthestartofamuchneedednationalconversationaboutthefutureofextension.TheworkdeliveredinthisprojecthasonlyscratchedthesurfaceofwhatneedstobedonetoachievetransformationalchangetoextensionservicesinAustraliainordertomeettheinformationneedsoffarmersintothefuture.Theprojectidentifiedthatthereisincreasingdemandfromfarmersforextensiontosupportbothtacticalandstrategicdecisionmaking.Oneoftheoutputsofthisprojectisasetofstrategicinterventionsthatarerequiredtoachievethisintothefuture.



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4 CollaborationThisextensionprojectwasatrulynationalprojectthatwasdeliveredinacollaborativebasisatanumberoflevels.

4.1 CollaborationwithprojectpartnersThisprojectwasacollaborationbetweenthefollowingpartners:

• NewSouthWalesLocalLandServices;• NorthernTerritoryDepartmentofPrimaryIndustry;• TasmanianInstituteofAgricultureandFisheries;• UniversityofMelbourne;• VictorianGovernmentDepartmentofEconomicDevelopment,Jobs,Transportand

Resources

Theprojectpartnersprovidedexpertinputtotheprojectwhichinvolvedaconsiderableamountofin-kindtime.TheyarealsocommittedtotheongoingsuccessoftheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPracticeandareworkingwithRIRDConanongoingbasis.

4.2 Collaborationwithotherorganisationsandspecialistserviceproviders

4.2.1 ResearchDevelopmentCorporations

Theprojectrananumberofforumsincludingtwocollaborativeworkshopswithall15RDCs,stateagenciesandtheUniversityofMelbourne

ThenationalSummitorworkshopachievedexcellentcollaborationwiththeNSWDepartmentofPrimaryIndustriesastheyhelpedtohostanddesignthesummit.TheoutcomesofthesummitdirectlyinformedongoingstrategicplanningmeetingswithinNSWDPI.

AdditionallythisprojectcollaboratedwiththeR&DforProfitprojectfocusedonprivatesectorextension(ledbyDairyAustralia),stakeholdersinvolvedintheextensionhubplatform,andresearchanddevelopmentcorporations.

4.2.2 CollaborationwithDairyAustraliaRuralR&D4Profitproject

ThetwoextensionprojectsthatweresuccessfulinthefirstroundoftheRuralR&DforProfitprogramme,ofwhichthisisone,wereinter-related.Theywerelinkedthroughprojectmanagementarrangementsaswellassharingsomeactionstoavoidduplication.



29

Projectmanagement:

o DairyAustraliawasaparticipantinallExpertPanelmeetings.Thesemeetingsprovidedtheopportunityforregularinteractionandforidentifysynergiesandanyoverlapastheprojectsareimplemented.

o ForalltheRDCmeetingstherewasgoodcollaborationwithDairyAustraliatocoordinatecommunicationsandidentifytheneedsofbothprojects.

o DuringthedeliveryoftheRIRDCextensionprojecttherewereanumberofmeetingswithDairyAustraliatodiscussprojectprogressandsharinginsightsandlessons.Thisprovidedatwowayopportunitytolearnfromeachother,coordinatecommunicationandotheractivitiesaswellandspotanyemergingriskssotheycouldbemanaged.

ThefollowingpagedemonstratestheprojectlinksbetweenDairyAustraliaandRIRDCinthedeliveryofthetwoprojects,notingthattheDairyAustraliaprojectiscontinuing.

Thevalueofcollaborativeapproachtoprojectdeliveryhasbeenwelldemonstratedduringthedeliveryofthisproject.InparticularcollaboratingwiththeDairyAustralialedR&D4Profitprojecthasledtosomerealsynergiesindelivery,forexamplebyusingthesameserviceprovidertoundertakemuchoftheevaluationmeantthatthejobwasdonequicker,atlesscostandmoreeffectively,ratherthanriskingduplicationandincurringadditionalcosts.

Projectlevellinks

Figure2demonstrateshowtheprojectactivitieshavefedintoeachotherandarelinkedtoacommonoveralloutcome.



30

Figure2Projectactivitylinks

ExtensionHub

NationalEvaluationofagricultureandfisheriesextension

Synthesisofexistingknowledge

andlessons

StakeholderEngagementand

Events

- TheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice(CoP)wasdesignedsokeyoutputsfromtheDairyprojectcouldbeincludedtoensurethatthenewknowledgegeneratedcanbeaccessiblefortargetaudiences.

- InthescopingstageadvicewassoughtonthetypeofoutputsthatcouldbesharedontheExtensionPracticeCoP.

- TheExtensionPracticeCoPwillcontinuetobeusedtostrengthenthecapacitybuildingcomponentoftheDairyproject.

- TherewasconsiderableinteractionwiththeprojectmanagementandresearchteamsfortheDairyprojectparticularlywhenconsideringthecurrentcircumstancesinrelationtoprivateandpublicprovision.

- Bothprojectshadanactivitythatincludedanevaluationoftheextensionsystem.Theprojectmanagersidentifiedwheretheseintersectedandoneserviceprovider(UniversityofMelbourne)wascontractedtoundertakeonepieceofworkthatfedintobothprojects.

- TheDairyexpertpanelwasutilisedwherethetimingofdeliverablesalignedwiththisproject.

- DuringthedeliveryofActivity2,thesynthesisofinformation,theRIRDCprojectsoughtinputfromDairyAustraliaonanypreferencesfortheinclusionofinformationforstimulatingprivatesectorserviceprovisiontoassistinthedeliveryoftheirproject.

- Bothprojectshadarangeofeventsandforums.RIRDCandDairyAustraliaworkedhardtocoordinatetheseeventstomaximisestakeholderinputopportunitiesandavoidmixedmessagesandduplication.

- Duringregularmeetings,upcomingeventswerediscussedandopportunitiestolinkorshareeventwereidentified.



31

4.2.3 APEN

Theprojectcollaboratedwiththenationalextensionpeakbody,theAustralasiaandPacificExtensionNetwork(APEN).APENisaprofessionalorganisationforextensionpractitioners.DuringthecourseoftheprojectRIRDCinvolvedAPENinmajoreventsandengagements.ManyofthemembersoftheExpertPanelareAPENmemberswhichstrengthenedcollaborativelinksbetweenthisprojectandAPEN.

APENremainsinvolvedintheExtensionPracticeCoPonanongoingbasis.

4.2.4 StateAgencies

AllStatesprovidedakeypersontoco-ordinateprojectactivitiessuchastheengagementintheirstate.Theprojectestablishedanongoingrelationshipwiththesecontacts.Basedonthiscollaborationanongoingprojectwasdevelopedforsubmissionforfunding.

TheprojectestablishedhigherlevelsofcollaborationwithbothVictoriaandNSWthroughthedeliveryofprojectactivities.ThecollaborationwiththeVictorianDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentJobsandTransport(DEDJTR)involvedco-developmentoftheExtensionHubandKnowledgeCurationTooltoguidethecurationoftheextensionresources.

CollaborationoccurredwithNSWDPIthroughtheco-hostingoftheNationalSummitheldon21April2016.

4.2.5 RegionalNRM(LLS,CMA,NRMRegions)

Regionsplayedaroleincommunicationofthisprojectthroughcommunicatingtofarmer’saboutthesurveyintheirregionsandidentifyingpotentialattendeesforFocusGroups.TheywerealsoengagedatamorestrategiclevelthroughthepartnershipwiththeLLSinNSW,consultationwiththe(56)RegionalCEO’sattheNRMKnowledgeConferenceinCoffsHarbourinMay,andparticipationintheExpertPanel.

4.3 CollaborationwithbroaderstakeholdersTheprojectalsoestablishedabroaderstakeholderlistthathadminorcollaborationoutcomes.



32

4.4 CollaborationOutcomesThereareanumberofmajoroutcomesfromthesomeoftheabovecollaborationsincluding:

• InterestfrommanyRDCsintheExtensionPracticeCoPandthelargerExtensionHubplatformonwhichitishosted(togetherwiththreeotherCoPs)

• Anationalcollaborationplatformtoenablecollaborationacrosstheextensionsector• AnongoingExtensionPracticeCoPbasedaroundtheexpertpanel• InvolvementintheNationalNRMRegionsCEOsForum• Engagementintheongoingcollaborativeforum• OngoinginvolvementandinteractionwiththeUniversityofMelbournetopublish

projectoutputs• EngagementofthewiderstakeholdergroupintheExtensionHub.

Notablythegreatestoutcomeofthecollaborativeapproachwasthemomentumgained,withsomanystakeholdersvestedintheprojectoutcomestherewasarealwilltosucceedindeliveringtheExtensionHubandtheExtensionPracticeCoPandtoparticipateintheevents.



33

5 ExtensionandadoptionactivitiesItiswidelyacknowledgedthatqualityextensionservicescontributetotheadoptionofruralinnovationandthelongtermsustainabilityoffarms,andtofarmgatereturns.

Therearethreeimpactsfromtheextensionandadoptionactivitiesundertakenbythisproject:

1. Industryandgovernmentwillbeawareofthecurrentsituationwithextensionservicesinrelationtoprimaryindustriesandwhatenduserneedsforextensionare

2. IndustryandgovernmentwillbeinformedaboutwheretostarttostrengthenextensioninAustraliaandthereforebeinabetterpositiontodirectpolicyaccordingly

3. TheExtensionHubandassociatedExtensionPracticeCoPcouldbeareallyinfluentialongoingcollaborationandknowledgecurationsiteforextensioninAustralia.

1.Understandingthecurrentsituation

Activities3,4and5havegivenananalysisandoverviewofextensioninAustraliaasitcurrentlyoperates.Theseactivitiesalsogaveanassessmentofhowthecurrentsystemisservicingtheinformationneedsanddemandsoffarmersandfromindustry.

TherelevantactivitiesinvolvedengagementwithkeyextensionpractitionersandexpertsfromaroundAustraliaacrossmostindustries.

2.Strengtheningthesystem

CollectivelyActivities3,4and5havemadeheadwayintotheimprovedcollaborationwithintheextensionnetworkandprovidedguidancetowardsawayforwardforfurtherimprovementstoreducethefragmentationinthefuture.Whilethesearenotextensionandadoptionactivitiesinthemselves,theywillhavehadameasureableimpactontheimprovementofextensionservicesandpavethewayforfurtherimprovement,particularlyinthecollaborativedeliveryofextensionservices.

3.ExtendingtheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice

Activity2,thecomprehensiveliteraturereviewandcurationofextensionmaterialsandthedevelopmentoftheExtensionPracticeCoPthathoststhematerials,isanexcellentresourcetoassistinthecapacitybuildingofallextensionproviders.Boostingitsadoptionsothatahighproportionofextensionpractitionersuseithasrequiredsomeextensionactivity.InitiallyitsexistencewaspromotedthroughtheExpertPanelandotherstakeholderengagementandatthispointitiswellusedandsupported.

ToremainrelevantintothefuturethisExtensionPracticeCoPwillneedtobemaintained,RIRDChascommittedtodoingsountilJune2017.RIRDCwillalsopromotetheExtensionPracticeCoPasappropriatetoensureitslegacy.



34

6 Lessonslearnt6.1 ProjectChallengesTheprojectwaschallenginganalytically,logisticallyandadministrativelythiswascompoundedbyrapidityofprojectdeliveryduetoreducedprojectduration,comparedtothetimeframeintheapplication.

Theanalyticalchallengesinvolvedworkingonacomplextopicthatdoesnothavetherigourofaconsolidateddisciplinelikepureresearch.Forexampleforumandsurveyparticipantshaddifferentunderstandingsandviewsonwhatextensionwasandhowitshouldbedelivered.Extensionisinherentlycomplexanditisincreasinglybeingdeliveredbyadiversityoforganisationssoitisdifficulttomeasureimpactandattribution.Theprojectwasalsoanationalscaleprojectacrossacombinationofmorethan20jurisdictionsandindustries,addingcomplexity.Itwasthereforeimportantthattheprojectdevelopananalyticalframeworkthatansweredmeaningfulresearchquestionsratherthanspendresourcescollectingdatawhichmightbeinterestingbutnotcontributetoprojectoutcomes.

Therewerealsoconsiderablelogisticalchallengesgiventhenationalscaleoftheprojectandtheemphasisplacedontheengagementtaskssoadditionalcarewasrequiredtoensurethatarepresentativesampleofpractitionerswasachieved.

Theprojectalsoinvolvedhightransactioncoststhattooktimetomanage.Thesecostswereassociatedwiththeprocurement,management,andintegrationofateamofmorethan10consultants.

However,givenallthesechallengestheprojectdeliveredqualityoutcomesandsomecasesdeliveredsignificantlygreateroutcomesthanitsetouttodo.

6.2 LessonsLearntLessonslearntfromthisprojectincluded:

• Whenreviewingextensionusingaqualitativesocialresearchapproachatanationallevelahighlevelofengagementisrequiredandthistakestime.

• Significantprojectmanagementtimeandexpertiseisrequiredtomanageprojectelementsinanintegratedway.

• Contractualarrangementswithprojectpartnersororganisationscantakeconsiderableprojecttimeandshouldberesolvedbeforeprojectcommencementifpossible.

• Thereneedstobemoretimeallocatedtoworkingwithkeystakeholdersandthebroaderstakeholdergroup.Thiswillbuildsocialcapitalintotheprojecttoincreasethechanceofprojectimpactandlegacyofimpact.

• ItwouldhavebeenbeneficialtohaveincludedanadditionalactivitywheretheprojectresultsarefeedbacktostakeholdersonceallofthefinalreportsweredeliveredtoRIRDCfromtheserviceproviders.Whilethiswasdonetoadegree,therewasroomforgreaterfeedbacktostakeholdersattheendoftheproject.



35

• Thereissignificantdemandforthisworktocontinueandthisprojectshouldbeseenasthestartoftheconversationonextension.Thereisalsoconsiderablemomentumtocontinuewiththisworkthatifnotdonewillbeanopportunitylost.

• Alongertimeframeandconsequentbetterabilitytosequencethedeliveryofoutputsmayhaveresultedingreaterengagementandbetteroutcomes.

• ThisprojectprovidedafocalpointforthegreatercollaborationacrossRDC’sandgovernmentsector,andthisisanareawherethereisgreatscopeforincreasedcollaborationonextensioninthefuture.

• Thereisahighdegreeofinterestfromprojectparticipants(andothers)tobepartofanongoingconversationaboutAustralia’sExtensionneeds.Thisprojectatleastpartiallymetthatuntappedneed.Thechallengeistoprovideamechanism(s)whereinvolvementisvaluedandusedeffectivelytoimprovethesysteminfuture.



36

7 Appendix-additionalprojectinformation

7.1 Projectmaterialandintellectualproperty

Table6Majorreportscreatedaspartofthisproject

Attachment Title Author

1 PrimaryIndustryExtensionandAdoptioninAustralia GHD

2 NationalFarmersurveyonExtensionServices–MarketResearchReport QuantumMarketResearch

3 RIRDCConsolidatingExtensionProjectReporting–FinalReportandTechnicalSpecification(ExtensionHub) DEDJTR

4 EAFFUserGuide(ExtensionHub) DEDJTR

5 DesktopCurationofExtensionandAdoptionKnowledge UniversityofMelbourne

6 StrategicCurationofExtensionKnowledgeinAustralia Cumbreconsulting

7 ExtensionHubEvaluationReport Cumbreconsulting

8 TakingStrategicActiontoImproveExtensionServicesforAustralianFarmersandFishers(Synthesisreport) UniversityofMelbourne

9 CaseStudiesHighlightingExcellenceinExtension CurrieCommunications

10 ProjectEvaluationReport BroderickandAssociates

11 ExpertPanelStatement TheExpertPanel

12 Mediaandcommunicationsmaterial Various

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-1---primary-industry-extension-and-adoption-in-australia.pdf?sfvrsn=2

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-2---national-farmer-survey-on-extension-services.pdf?sfvrsn=2

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-3---rirdc-consolidating-extension-project-reporting-final-report-and-technical-specifications.pdf?sfvrsn=2

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-4---eaff-user-guide-(extension-hub).pdf?sfvrsn=2

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-5---desktop-curation-of-extension-and-adoption-knowledge.pdf?sfvrsn=2

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-6---strategic-curation-of-extension-knowledge-in-australia.pdf?sfvrsn=2

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-7---extension-hub-evaluation.pdf?sfvrsn=2

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-8---taking-strategic-action-to-improve-extension-services-for-australian-farmers-and-fishers-final-version14FE4753B30A.pdf?sfvrsn=2

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-9---evaluation-of-the-tpe-project068B9831BEDF.pdf?sfvrsn=2

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-10---extension-case-studies-collectionD42C9C75433A.pdf?sfvrsn=2

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-11---expert-panel-statementD089883ED193.pdf?sfvrsn=2

http://www.rirdc.gov.au/docs/rural-r-d-for-profit-programme/attachment-12---final-comms-materials1C0649415017.pdf?sfvrsn=2



37

7.2 EquipmentandassetsNone.

7.3 MediaandcommunicationsmaterialThefollowingmediaproductsweredelivered:

• Mediarelease–projectinception/firstsummit• Factsheet–forprojectstakeholders• Projectoutcomescircularsenttostakeholders• ArticleforAPENpublication• Extensionhubresources-refertohub

Inadditiontherewerenumerouspresentationsgiventoresearchdevelopmentcorporationforumsandanationalnaturalresourcemanagementforum.

Pleasenotethatthemediastrategychangedthroughthecourseoftheprojectastherewaslittlebroadermediainterest.Thecommunicationsstrategyfocusedonkeystakeholdersratherthanthegeneralpublic.

7.4 EvaluationreportTheProjectEvaluationReportispresentedasAttachment10.

7.5 BudgetThefinalfinancialreportwithin60daysofsubmittingthisfinalmilestonereport.

RURAL R&D FOR PROFIT P RO GRA MMEConsolidating Targeted and Practical Extension for Australian Farmers and Fishers23 June 2015 – 23 December 2016

Pub. No 17/015

ISBN: 978-1-74254-939-2

Bookshop: 1300 634 313

Email: [email protected]

Postal Address: Locked Bag 588 Wagga Wagga NSW 2678

Street Address: Building 007Charles Sturt UniversityBooroma StreetWagga Wagga NSW 2650

www.rirdc.gov.au

consolidating targeted and practical extension for ... · 4. a national agreement between...

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