Knowledge Sharing for Improved Soil Stewardship: Part D Technical Report

The goals of the two-year Knowledge Sharing Project were to improve knowledge and engage farmers in topics related to soil and land management within the target regions, to monitor engagement events and provide recommendations for training and engagement for others involved in extension.
Farmer engagement strategies were co-designed by researchers and local grower groups in the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia; the West Midlands of Western Australia; the Central West of New South Wales; and North-Western Victoria. The strategies built on Soil CRC Social Benchmarking Studies undertaken between 2019 and 2021; and considered which strategies and approaches were most effective for engaging different target groups in each region, for example and underrepresented groups such as women and youth. With these things in mind, a tailored Knowledge-Sharing Plan was developed for each region and delivered locally by the grower groups.
Ethnographic data collection conducted by each grower group in the form of Process Diaries allowed reflection on the different engagement approaches trialled, in order to identify what strategies and activities were best suited to their local context and local farmers. Regular project meetings opened a space where a community of practice was developed as the groups and researchers learned together.