Evolving extension & communication through the Knowledge Sharing Project

Dec 21,2023 Knowledge Sharing Project, Project Update Article, Capacity Building, Projects, RAD2108,

This month marks the completion of the Soil CRC Knowledge Sharing Project (KSP), with which WMG has been involved with since inception in 2021.

While this project has not been ‘traditional’ in the sense that there have been no demonstrations, trial sites, workshops or events associated directly with it, it has provided an incredible opportunity for internal capacity building amongst the WMG team. On a personal note, working on this project has allowed me to foster strong connections with other grower groups and extension practitioners around Australia, understand how we can better connect and communicate with our members and farmers and provided me with an opportunity to reflect and improve on the work that we do at WMG.

WMG facilitated workshops were a key focus of the Knowledge Sharing Project

Led by University of Southern Cross Senior Lecturer in Science & Agriculture Dr. Hanabeth Luke, the project aims to address challenges and opportunities associated with knowledge-sharing efforts directed at improving the uptake of new innovations and best-practice soil management. Throughout the project, the KSP team have explored how knowledge is shared between different groups in the agriculture sector, in particular the transfer of knowledge between researchers, scientists, extension practitioners and farmers.

WMG were one of four grower group participants in the national project, joined by Ag Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula (AIREP), Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) and Central West Farming Systems (CWFS). As well as the grower group participants, the KSP team consisted of multiple research participants from Southern Cross University, Murdoch University, Federation University Australia, University of Newcastle, and Charles Sturt University.

The KSP team met monthly via Zoom calls to discuss multiple extension and communication strategies being used by each of the grower group participants, reflecting on and sharing what worked, what didn’t and working together to realise new opportunities for knowledge sharing and extension. Over the course of the project, the monthly meetings became such a valuable space for the grower group participants to share their experiences and get feedback from each other, another monthly ‘catch-up’ meeting was set up for in between the KSP team meetings.

One of the key tools that allowed for the rich discussion and learnings amongst participants during these meetings was the Process Diary developed for the project. Process Diaries were filled out by grower group representatives during each extension activity, from workshops and events to digital engagements and communications, covering observations of demographics, engagement levels, key speakers and narratives, communication styles and more. These diaries also included a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis as a reflective exercise, further allowing each grower group to understand which elements of an engagement activity were working, and those that needed improvement.

Many of WMG’s learnings from the KSP will be carried through to future and continuing projects, including the two national projects WMG leads with the Soil CRC. For more information on the KSP, WMG’s involvement with the Soil CRC or upcoming projects, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us at comms@wmgroup.org.au.

Simon Kruger
Project Communications Officer, WMG