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Integrating farm production and natural resource management in Tasmania, Australia
Citation
Cotching, W and Sherriff, L and Kilpatrick, SI, Integrating farm production and natural resource management in Tasmania, Australia, Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 15, (3) pp. 287-300. ISSN 1389-224X (2009) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2009 Wageningen University
DOI: doi:10.1080/13892240903069611
Abstract
This paper reports on the social learning from a project aimed to increase the
knowledge and capacity of a group of farmers in Tasmania, Australia, to reduce the impacts of
intensive agriculture on soil health and waterways, and to optimise the efficient use of on-farm
inputs. The plan-do-check-review cycle adopted in this project required the farmers to assess
current management practices, identify where to make changes, implement changes and monitor
for improvements. The success of the project was due to careful attention to social processes as
well as technical input. The combination of group activities with individual mentoring and one-toone
advice was key to the success of this project in enabling farmers to undertake on-farm action.
There is value in social learning that included developing relationships, using one-to-one contact
and group workshops together with expert input when working with farmers to tackle some
difficult and complex interrelated natural resource management and production issues. Sufficient
time must be allowed for the process of facilitating good practice in natural resource management,
particularly when addressing systemic environmental impacts. Practical operational recommendations
are presented on communication, feedback, focus of activities and meeting content, as
these will be useful to other project officers and facilitators working with farmer groups.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Research Division: | Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences |
Research Group: | Agriculture, land and farm management |
Research Field: | Farm management, rural management and agribusiness |
Objective Division: | Education and Training |
Objective Group: | Learner and learning |
Objective Field: | Learner and learning not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Cotching, W (Dr Bill Cotching) |
UTAS Author: | Kilpatrick, SI (Professor Sue Kilpatrick) |
ID Code: | 53885 |
Year Published: | 2009 |
Deposited By: | Agricultural Science |
Deposited On: | 2009-01-19 |
Last Modified: | 2013-08-09 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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