WMG: Expanding what we do for the Ag industry
WMG now offers a wider range of extension and communication products and services to the Ag industry after an intensive 18-month organisational development period.
A common challenge among the 43 grower groups across WA is that we both compete and collaborate with each other for a decreasing amount of project funding; it just depends on the day!
Since at least 2014, WMG has recognised this dichotomy and has pursued multiple roles in the industry. We have now expanded our range of products and services that we provide to drive the future Research, Development, and Extension outcomes needed by industry.
Our number one focus is on our members and assisting them to identify and adopt new practices and technologies that improve farm productivity and profitability. This is evident in our purpose – to support the sustainable growth of agriculture in the West Midlands region of WA.
All that we do is designed to improve the delivery of information to our members. To achieve this, we need to be here for the long run – a viable organisation ready to take up future challenges when they rear their ugly heads. We do love a good opportunity too!
The second focus for WMG in the past was to lead and administer large collaborative projects that provides a benefit to the livestock or cropping industries. WMG currently lead two national projects in our favourite topic area – extension and adoption!
Large, collaborative projects give the organisation significant experience, capacity and capability, and knowledge in project delivery, and has led us to dramatically ramp up our efforts to deliver outstanding project management.
In delivering on these activities as a whole, we find that many of the tools and tips that we have developed and learned, particularly around extension and communication, are valued by others in the Ag industry.
The experience that we have gained in the past 18 months through project delivery, industry analysis, and in-house testing of new approaches now allows us to offer the following products and services:
- Post-project extension campaign design and delivery.
- Assessment of inherent adoptability of your new product/technology.
- Communications campaign advice and feedback.
- Development of communication material through video, podcast, social, and printed media.
Our point of difference is understanding the gap between research that has been completed, and the current learning preferences of farmers in this post-covid world.
To discuss how we can improve the delivery of your next extension and communication campaign, contact Nathan on 0438 924 208 or eo@wmgroup.org.au.
Nathan Craig
Executive Officer, WMG
