Extensionnet December 2006 Vol

ExtensionNet December 2006 Vol. 14 No. 2 Newsletter of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (Inc)

A0029919P ISSN 1445-2111 Contact: 02 6024 5349 Australia Post approved PP347637000014

Our Australian Idol - Joan Tully Roy Murray-Prior (Curtin University), Jess Jennings (UWS) and Christine King (UQ)

How many of you know the name Joan In this issue Tully? As the motto at the bottom of some of our Our Australian Idol emails proudly proclaims APEN is about - Joan Tully 1 ‘People successfully managing change’. In Roy Murray-Prior, Jess managing change we are always looking Jennings and Christine King for new ways of working and understanding so we are keen to get information from the latest conference or the latest guru or from Ed Sez... 3 a web site. The last 20 years has seen a paradigm shift from the Technology Transfer Annual Report or Diffusion paradigm to Farmer First or 2005/06 3 Participatory paradigms. But what many of you may not realise is that much of the initial President’s Report 4 impetus for this change started over 40 officers, shared the responsibility of years earlier, with the teaching and writings improving farm sector performance. In of ‘Our Australian Idol’, Joan Tully. one reference group experience Tully Treasurer’s Report 5 reported that extension students were also Sadly Joan Tully died 33 years ago, but beneficiaries who “have changed their her legacy lives on and as we come to SELN: 6 attitudes toward helping farmers with their the 100th anniversary of her birth in 1907 The State Extension Leaders problems just as radically as the farmers we would like to pay homage to her. Joan Network have changed their attitudes toward the use was an amazing woman who has directly of improved pastures” (Tully 1966). and indirectly influenced generations of Enhancing Women’s extension practitioners. Prior to Tully’s She was not afraid to attack her audience Participation in the contribution to extension, a farmer’s life to make her point. As early as 1953 Tully experience and understanding (now referred presented a report to government that boldly Sugar Industry 8 to as indigenous knowledge or farmer challenged her officious, high-ranking and By Dr. Emma Jakku, Jenny knowledge) were commonly overlooked (presumably) male-dominated and non- Bellamy and Dr. Iris Bohnet as valuable to changing farming practice, farmer audience: with expertise and expert knowledge You as directors of agriculture probably Students’ Segment taking precedence. It appears reasonable visit the more progressive farms in your 9 to suggest that the early beginnings of an States … [and] you will probably agree This Edition - Kamal Gaire Australian-based, constructivist approach that, on these progressive farms, living (The University of Melbourne) to extension methodology, based on conditions are fairly good and the people, the importance of farmer’s personally including the wife and family, are keenly constructed reality, was present in Tully’s interested in improving their farming and Extension Gems 0 conception of extension. productivity. On the way to these farms By Austin McLennan Importantly, Tully recognised that farmers you will all have passed many that are were not the sole barrier to technology not so progressive and will have seen New Members adoption and hence agricultural productivity, the typical 2 or 4 roomed house with a but that all stakeholders, including extension verandah front and back and a single tank

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APEN ExtensionNet Volume 14 Number 2 of the Technology Transfer coin because Our Australian Idol - Joan Tully she recognised the difficult conditions under which individual farmers made Continued from page 1 adoption decisions. The key to Joan’s influence on those for a water supply, no paint, no trees, Extension. This paper was unlike most who followed her was the underlying no garden, naked under the blazing at the conference because it focused philosophy of her approach which can be sun[,] … a battered utility in the shade on the position of the farmer within on- boiled down to people’s views are valid, of the house, an untidy woodpile, … a farm decision-making, and attempted they have to participate in any change, little house about a chain away, a few to identify the complexity of barriers to and they are most likely to participate dejected fowls scratching round and adoption by defining farms as systems when their friends and neighbours are a few grubby children. … [These are in their own right. Tully (1967) provided involved also. This is a simple message our] rural slums. Could you be an alert the following: which is at the core of all good extension and progressive farmer under these Our technical research men are process. living conditions? Would your wife be specialists, who from their research, a happy, energetic and enthusiastic produce discrete pieces of information partner in such a farming enterprise? about parts of the ecological system. Tully J (1953) Report to the agricultural (Tully 1953). Extension then disseminates these council on the need for a rural home Tully powerfully linked farmer’s discrete pieces of information to farmers. advisory service, Canberra, Australia. social and economic context to the The farmer is given the very difficult Tully J (1966) Changing Practices: determinants of diffusion and hence job of fitting these discrete pieces A Case Study, Journal of Co-operative agricultural productivity. Through of information into the very complex Extension, Fall, 1966, pp143-152. personal application and research, ecological system that is a farm …. Tully J (1967) The Farm as a Complex Tully used group-based techniques If this problem of introducing change System: the Implications for Extension, to improve extension communication into a very complex ecological system in Australian Agricultural Extension systems in Australia, with such concepts has proved too difficult for research Conference Working Papers, conference as the Membership Reference Group, scientists, it is little wonder that farmers held in Hobart, Tasmania May, 1967, the Socialisation Process, and Group and extension men find it difficult. proceedings published in Melbourne Control. One of the earliest papers (Tully Any farming system consists of at 1967. 1966) we have access to outlines her least six different, complex, and Tully J (1967a) The Principles of thoughts on these topics and how they dynamic sub-systems all interacting Relevance: Implications for Extension, relate to creating a learning situation. with each other and all interdependent. in Australian Agricultural Extension Interestingly it documents more than an Some of these subsystems are more Conference Working Papers, conference approach to working with farmers, but under man’s control than others. The held in Hobart, Tasmania May, 1967, also a problem centred and participatory manageable factors are climate, soils, proceedings published in Melbourne, approach to teaching, where “the learning plants, animals, economics, and man Australia. situations have been carefully structured himself with his managerial skills, value but the discussions have been very free”, systems, beliefs, and attitudes. Walters, D.V. (1973) Joan Tully 1907- causing a change in motivation and 73. Journal of the Australian Institute of Any change, either voluntary or change in attitudes. Agricultural Science. Vol. 39 (3), p174. involuntary, in such a complex system Although not wholly or explicitly of interrelated variables sets off a chain- rejecting Rogers’ technology transfer reaction throughout the system. Some Joan Tully held a number of theory of diffusion, Tully questioned may be desirable and others most posts at the Council for Scientific some of its traits and strongly promoted undesirable. Some will be immediate, Research (CSIR) and later the farmer-centric approaches for conducting others long-term and cumulative, such Commonwealth Scientific and effective extension. For Tully, the as that produced by a crop-fallow Industrial Research Organisation socio-economic context within which rotation in low rainfall areas. extension occurred was crucial, with (CSIRO) in the 1930s, 1940s the farmer, his/her immediate family and Tully’s second paper at the 1967 and 1950s. In 1952, she was his/her social group being the central conference, titled The Principle of awarded the Fulbright Schol- focus, rather than the attributes of the Relevance: Implications for Extension, arship and studied at Cornell drew out the importance of extensionists’ technology being disseminated by one- University in Ithaca, New York, understanding of farmers and their way communication (down to farmers). USA. From 1957-1972, she different frames of reference (Tully held research positions at the She was also an early systems thinker, 1967a). Again Tully approached the but took it beyond the approach of adoption decision from the farmer’s University of Melbourne, fol- many by incorporating people as part perspective, emphasising several ways in lowed by academic posts at the of the system. In 1967 Tully presented which a farmer must perceive technology University of New England, New a paper to the Australian Agricultural as relevant on a range of measures South Wales, and the University Extension Conference titled The Farm as before utilising it. Tully’s approach could of Queensland. a Complex System: The Implications for perhaps be considered the farmer’s side

APEN ExtensionNet Volume 14 Number 2 Ed sez ... - Christine King This Christmas edition of APEN is packed comes from Kamal Gaire, a Masters with treats. While it was unintentional at the (research) student from the University of time of collecting stories for ExtensionNet, Melbourne. Kamal believes that grassroots many of the articles featured in this edition mobilisation can address gender and relate to the contribution of women to both development issues and is exploring how Extension and Sustainable Agriculture. to sustain grassroots women’s groups in Nepal. Our feature article, ‘Our Australian Idol’ by Roy Murray-Prior, Jess Jennings And what else is in ExtensionNet? If and myself, highlights the contribution of you are interested in what typical APEN Dr Joan Tully to Extension Theory and member’s do when they sit around at Practice, who introduced many of the airports, the article on ‘Digging for Gold’ by concepts we talk about today. Before Austin McLennan will interest you. And if working at UQ, she also held academic sitting at airports does not seem unusual for 2006. Also apparent in the Annual positions with the University of Melbourne to you … how about SELN members Report is the overwhelming number of and the University of New England. sitting in crocodile infested waters in the ‘THANK YOUs’ to Roe Currie (Secretariat), Northern Territory? Also meet two of our Dr Emma Jakku, Jenny Bellamy and Dr who seems to have held APEN together new members, Jenny Cleary and Jessica Iris Bohnet from a collaborative research through a year of resignation, renewal Sheppard. team have also provided an article for and transition! ExtensionNet on ‘Enhancing women’s As with previous APEN Christmas Suggestions for future editions very participation in the sugar industry’. They editions, we present the usual APEN welcome ([email protected]) illustrate how the contribution of women Annual Report! See who is now on the is an important aspect of the social, Management Committee (Welcome Jenny Merry Christmas or Merry Holidays! economic and environmental sustainability Cleary and Alison Medhurst!), find out of communities that support the sugar what was considered APEN’s highlight of industry. the year, and read the President’s Report

featuring the Top 6 APEN achievements net Our student contribution this edition E APEN’s Annual Report 2005/2006

APEN’s AGM was held by teleconference on Thursday November 16, 2006 from 2.00pm to 2.25pm EST. There were eleven apologies while fifteen members attended the third AGM held by teleconference and we were effectively and efficiently able to deal with the required official AGM business. Part of the official business was to elect the Management Committee for 2006/2007. Two members joined the committee for the first time –Jenny Cleary from South Australia (also a new member – see her bio in the new members section) and long time member, also part of the 2006 International Conference organising committee, Alison Medhurst from Victoria. Amabel Fulton, Tasmania and Derek Foster, Queensland were officially elected as Regional Coordinators after having been seconded during the year when Jane Weatherley and Jeff Coutts had to leave due to changing work commitments. Others taking on their second terms as Regional Coordinators were Tracey Gianatti, Western Australia, Jess Jennings, NSW & ACT and Neels Botha, New Zealand/Overseas. The APEN Management Committee (contact details on the back page) for 2006/2007 is: President: Neale Price Queensland Vice President: Jess Jennings New South Wales Secretary: Amabel Fulton Tasmania Treasurer: Jess Jennings New South Wales Committee: Greg Owens Northern Territory Derek Foster Queensland Jess Jennings New South Wales Alison Medhurst Victoria Amabel Fulton Tasmania Jenny Cleary South Australia Tracey Gianatti Western Australia Neels Botha New Zealand Past President: John James Queensland Editor: Chrissy King Queensland APEN’s Public Officer is Heather Shaw, Victoria, a past APEN Secretary and the Auditor for 2006/2007 will again be Bob Travers & Associates of Albury, NSW. ... continued next page

APEN ExtensionNet Volume 14 Number 2 APEN’s Annual Report 2005/2006... Continued from page 3 APEN President’s Report worth last March had a wonderful array of Workers” June 6th at Trinity Conference plenary sessions, concurrent sessions, a Centre, University of Western Australia for 2005/06 practice change expo, workshops and a with 23 participants. The cluster is currently Neale Price, President wrap up session called the Possibilities developing a combined event with the De- Café – all extension techniques meant partment of Agriculture and Food which will The last APEN AGM was held on November to push the envelope. The social events focus on the sharing of real life extension 15th 2005 by teleconference. This was the were very enjoyable too. I would again like case studies. 2nd AGM held by teleconference and the to acknowledge the great job done by the 2005/06 AGM will also be held via telecon- • The SE Qld Cluster ran a post conference conference organising committee which ference event at the Maroochy Research Station, was based on the Melbourne Cluster – Jo Nambour on June 22nd (“Digging for gold The very successful International Conference Vigliaturo, Jess Connor, Chris Williams, – gems from the Beechworth confer- held in Beechworth, Victoria in March was the Emily Tee, John Petheram, Liz Patterson, ence”). The 24 participants also planned APEN highlight of the year. In my report I Ben Neil, Alison Medhurst, Cynthia Ma- more activities for later in the year. will outline our activities conducted throughout honey, Catherine Johnston, Vanessa Hood, the past year. Janine Dridan, Robert Chaffe, Kevin Balm, • The APEN NZ cluster, in collaboration with AgResearch, ran an Industry Development Achievements Gavin Brock and Roe Currie. and Practice Change (Adoption) confer- To my mind the main achievements for this Thanks also to the major sponsor, the ence on 4 October 2005 in Hamilton, NZ, year were: Victorian Department of Primary Industries with around 80 people attending. Members and also the other sponsors, Victorian 1. In response to comments from members also met after the Beechworth conference Department of Sustainability and Environ- who felt APEN was sending around too to keep the interest levels up. ment, the Rural Industries Research and many emails the Management Committee Development Corporation, the Coopera- • The NT Region hosted several informal (MC) altered our communication strategy to tive Venture for Capacity Building in Rural gatherings of extension people after the our members by increasing the frequency Australia, Land and Water Australia, Grain successful CVCB Roadshow workshop. of the eBulletins to monthly and at the same and Graze, the Grains Research and All these activities have had both member time reduced the email traffic to members Development Corporation, the North East and non-member presenters and participants. by incorporating messages from or to the Catchment Management Authority, the They have provided valuable networking network into the eBulletin. Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal and professional development opportunities. 2. APEN helped establish the State Exten- and Dairy Australia. Our intention is that all members will have sion Leaders Network in 2005. APEN has Many thanks to all the presenters and par- more opportunity to be involved in such ac- been represented either by myself or John ticipants too for contributing to the success tivities, and encourage more clusters to meet James at the State Extension Leaders Net- of the conference. The venue was great for within regions and interest group clusters to work (SELN) meetings during this year – in our purposes and I enjoyed seeing many meet over the Internet in email discussion Brisbane, Darwin and Adelaide. That group of you at the conference. I was honoured groups. continues to progress the development of along with Laura Schibrowski to receive an Although we have a number of Cluster policies on issues affecting those involved APEN Award for Excellence in Extension. Coordinators, some Regions do not have a in extension in Australia. After the event the Management Commit- representative and therefore the level of local 3. We also progressed APEN’s involvement tee were pleased to be able to act on the activity has not been as great as we would in policy when a submission was made to suggestion of the conference committee to have liked. the Australian House of Representatives put some money towards tree planting to Other activities Agriculture Committee inquiry into rural recoup the carbon dioxide emissions from skills training. Subsequently, Greg Leach, the conference. ExtensionNet only had two issues in the last John James and I attended an interview in financial year due to the volunteer nature of 6. We have entered into a partnership with Toowoomba as part of the inquiry into rural the Editor’s job and a longer than expected the Australian Farm Business Manage- skills training. change over to the new Editor, Dr Christine ment Network in production of a journal King. Many thanks Chrissy for taking over 4. We applied for funding from the Department with extension content. We look forward to from Darren Schmidt. Thank you Darren for of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to seeing more of our members’ work written the four years of creative effort you invested progress two of the initiatives from the 2005 up and published. with us. Congratulations Chrissy on your first Leadership Series and from membership Regional activities issue and we look forward to your upcoming surveys – namely a mentoring scheme issues. As always, the Editor would appreci- and professional development and train- The rationale for having Regional Coordina- ate any contributions from the members for ing for extensionists. Unfortunately that tors on the Management Committee is that ExtensionNet. application was not successful. However, we hear about things happening around the we have decided to continue to progress APEN Regions (the seven states of Australia As you will have seen from our recent eBul- the initiatives as best we can. We are and NZ/ Overseas). letin the APEN Forum 2007 and the Aus- soon to launch the mentoring scheme and In conjunction with the Co-operative Venture tralasian Extension Publication have been will continue to provide opportunities for for Capacity Building, Capacity Building road- combined. Many thanks to Jess Jennings professional development. show workshops were held in Qld, NT, WA, for his passion and work towards achieving this valuable APEN publication and we look 5. The 2006 APEN International Conference SA, Vic and NSW in November 2005. forward to a big rollup at the Forum towards committee (based around the Melbourne There has also been APEN activity occurring the end of next year to take advantage of the Cluster) worked hard and we were treated in some of our Regions and I congratulate professional development and networking this to an exciting conference with the theme those who have done the organising and kept Forum will provide. ‘Practice Change for Sustainable Commu- things moving. Theses include: nities: exploring footprints, pathways and The Management Committee has met by tel- • The WA Region held a workshop on “Prac- possibilities’. The conference in Beech- econference every second month to progress tical and Creative Tools for Extension a range of issues, all under the umbrella of the

APEN ExtensionNet Volume 14 Number 2 APEN’s Annual Report 2005/2006... Continued from page 4

Business plan. I’d like to take this opportunity took over from Jeff, Cynthia Mahoney (Vic Currie, our Secretariat, who enables most of to thank each of the members… John James RC), Greg Owens (NT RC), Tracey Gianatti the management committee work to actually (Past President), Jess Jennings (Vice-presi- (WA RC) and Neels Botha (NZ RC). There happen. dent, Treasurer & NSW RC), Jane Weatherley has been movement off and on the committee As a matter of accountability, the following (Secretary & Tasmanian regional coordinator because of changing job commitments and were the meetings we held and the partici- (RC)) and then Amabel Fulton who took over we hope for a full contingent and a period of pants at each. this role from Jane, Chrissy King (Editor), Jeff stability and further achievement in the com- Coutts (Qld RC) and then Derek Foster who ing year. I would also like to thank Rosemary

Meeting Date NP JJ JRJ JW CK JC CM GO TG NB RC Total #061 8/12/05 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 7 #062 9/2/06 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 7

#062(Beech) 5/3/06 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 9 #063 3/4/06 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 7 #064 1/6/06 Y Y Y Y Y Y 6 #065 27/07/06 Y Y AF DF Y Y 6 #066 28/9/06 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 7 Total 7 5 7 5 1 3 2 3 5 3 7

Conclusion Conference and getting to know the workings involved the development of extension policy of the Management Committee. I believe in Australia through SELN and providing So in conclusion, I have had an enjoyable first we have made steady progress in working professional development opportunities for year as President and particularly enjoyed towards the APEN mentoring scheme, being members. Next year will see greater strides meeting many members at the International in these areas. APEN Treasurer’s Report conferences generating a surplus of The Melbourne Cluster has continued to around $20,000 and forums $10,000. The operate their account to assist with the 2006 for 2005/06 surplus is from sponsorship deals and Conference Committee meetings and has Jess Jennings, Treasurer registration income. This is show in Table now closed the account and transferred their 2 where figures from 2001 to the present remaining funds. This report is based upon an audit of APEN’s show that the larger surpluses indicate a finances conducted by Bob Travers & A healthy surplus is essential for APEN to year with an International conference, a Associates, Chartered Accountant, Albury, be able underwrite future conferences and smaller surplus the year with a National NSW. forums as well as cluster activities. Therefore forum and years with losses indicate that no steps are being taken to increase general The APEN financial position at June 30, 2006 national event was held. The Queensland (non-conference or forum) income by at least remains reasonably sound with total equity of NRM Symposium in September 2005 and 20% to ensure the efficient and effective $63 019. APEN ’s operating surplus for the the International Conference held in March running of APEN. The amalgamation of funds 2005/2006 financial year was $11 798. 2006 resulted in a surplus for the events from the Chapter accounts has reduced of about $43,000. Since the end of June Tables 1 and 2 record the profit and loss money lost in bank fees and enabled us to we have been able to donate some money situation and Table 3, the Assets and Liability put seed funding into the 2006 Conference. towards carbon credits for the conference. situation. Improving industry sponsorship receipts and Some salient points include: • Chapters assets have been transferred to the increased APEN annual membership fees the APEN account with only the Melbourne are other likely sources of revenue to stabilise • Historically, APEN is dependent on account still operating (See Table 3). APEN’s financial base.

Table 1 2005-2006 Income and Expenses Income 2004-05 Total $ 2005 -06 Total $

Advertising 118 59 APEN Forum (Policy forum July 04 support from RIRDC and CRRI-Q) 9 386 - APEN Conference 36 102 APEN CVCB Workshops 17 919 DAFF Project: Leadership series 87 937 9 436 Membership 28 400 25 178 Reference Resources - 32 Region Activities (formerly Chapter Activities) 4 984 - Region Events (formerly Chapter Events, 0506 Qld NRM Symposium & WA workshops) 4 872* 39 500 Sundry Receipts 2 301 15 292 Sponsorship (0405 HAL sponsorship of ExtensionNet, 0506 DA sponsorship for APEN Awards) 4 788 5 000 Interest Received 769 542

TOTAL 143 555 149 060

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APEN ExtensionNet Volume 14 Number 2 Expenditure Accountancy & Audit Fees 1047 1030 Administration 24 483 20 163 APEN Award - 2 328 APEN / CVCB workshop expenses 13 184 Bank & Government Charges 2 503 3 751 Catering 3 245* - Cost of Meetings 1 498* 2 790 Conference Costs APEN 2 065 18 959 DAFF Young People’s Project 68 980 29 998 ExtensionNet 14 435 9 793 Insurance 382 382 PAIDS AusAID Project 8 139 - Policy forum 9 417 - Printing, Stationery and Postage 682 268 Promotion (Members Directory & membership brochures) 1 852 3 079 Provision for impairment of receivables - 604 Region Events Payments 4 876 27 433 Speaker Expenses 1 023* - Sundry Expenses 265 - Website - 3 500 TOTAL 144 892 137 262 * held prior to amalgamation of Chapter Accounts at end of 2004

Table 2 Profit and Accumulated funds 2001-2002 Total $ 2002-2003 Total $ 2003-2004 Total $ 2004-2005 Total $ 2005-2006 Total $ Net Profit/Surplus 17 079 -5 043 6 207 -1 337 11 798 Accumulated Funds 51 394 46 351 52 558 51 221 63 019

Table 3: Assets and Liabilities as at June 30 2005 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 Assets Cheque Account 20 359 47 174 28 380 Term Deposit 6 000 6 000 6 000 Chapter Accounts 13 581 810 753 Grant Account 615 4 0 Cash 65 0 0 Accounts receivable 11 253 9145 34977 Provision for impairment of receivables -604 Total 51 873 63 133 69 506 Liabilities Accounts owing 0 11 116 6 487 GST owing -685 796 0 Total -685 11 912 6 487 Equity 52 558 51 221 63 019 As Treasurer I would like to acknowledge Rosemary Currie’s diligent and efficient management of the organisation’s finances, and input that makes my role considerably easier to perform. Enet SELN: The State Extension Leaders Network

The State Extension Leaders Network cussion document, Enabling Change in and the State agencies to work together (SELN) formed in April 2005 following the Rural and Regional Australia: The role of to achieve real outcomes and effective APEN National Extension policy Forum at extension in achieving sustainable and pro- change. Coogee Beach in July 2004 to progress ductive futures. (can be downloaded from • A follow up activity with the RDCs is some of the issues arising that related the SELN website, www.seln.org.au) planned for late 2007. to State agency extension services. The • The group is compiling a set of case Network is made up of one representative • The group meets 3 times a year at studies intended to highlight the role of ex- from the extension service of each State rotating state venues and has monthly tele- tension in achieving desired outcomes and Primary Industry Agency, one Natural Re- conferences to keep the tasks between measurable or evidence-based change. source Management Agency (we would like meetings happening. more!) and three invited members (APEN • It hosted a workshop in March 2006 To find out who is in the network, or to President Neale Price, Prof Frank Vanclay at Sydney for the Communication Officers see our purpose and mission statements and John James). from the various Research and Develop- go to www.seln.org.au ment Corporations (RDCs) to help them • In that time SELN has released a dis- ... see photos on opposite page

APEN ExtensionNet Volume 14 Number 2 SELN Members go bush: The July 2006 meeting of SELN was held in the Northern Territory at the Douglas-Daly Research Station, approximately 150km south of Darwin on the junction of the Douglas River and the mighty Daly River.

Temperatures plummeted to 3 degrees overnight leaving many a bit cool but back up to 32 by midday. After each day’s work in the farm’s laboratory-turned-meeting room, SELN members were given guided tours of the Research Station and the spectacular local environment. Many thanks to the farm’s staff for their friendly welcome and assistance.

Q. Who was spotted having a beer while sitting in the rapids of the crocodile infested Douglas River?

Greg Owens Senior Extension Officer Crops, Forestry and Horticulture NT DPIFM Darwin NT Enhancing women’s participation in the sugar industry By Dr Emma Jakku, Jenny Bellamy and Dr Iris Bohnet

What are women in the sugar industry “We’re really keen to talk to women who involved in? What are the factors that can help us understand the role they play in motivate or limit their participation? And the sugar industry,” says CSIRO researcher what else could be done to encourage Emma Jakku. “We need to know what makes women to become more involved in all facets them get involved and how they would like of the industry? to contribute in the future.” The contributions of women to their A later stage of the project will involve enterprises and communities often tend to working with local collaborators to identify be under-recognised and under-valued in existing sugar industry activities that could the sugar industry. However, in the current benefit from greater engagement of women, context of industry reform, women are and then trialling new strategies to enhance making vital contributions on farm and in women’s participation in those activities. Dr Emma Jakku sugar communities. Increasingly, women are This study is funded by the Sugar Research also taking on greater roles at the industry and Development Corporation, the CSIRO level to support innovation and facilitate and the University of Queensland. change that will contribute to the social, economic and environmental sustainability For more information contact Emma of sugar communities. Jakku: 07 3214 2231 or Emma.Jakku@ csiro.au; or Jenny Bellamy: 07 3365 2163 or A CSIRO and University of Queensland [email protected] research team is collaborating with local people in two regions to study the participation o f w o m e n i n t h e sugar industry. This understanding will be used to identify practical ways to encourage and strengthen women’s roles in ensuring the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the sugar industry. So far, the researchers have met with local people from industry, extension, government and community sectors in far Photo courtesy of the Bundaberg north Queensland and southern Queensland Women in Sugar Group. to discuss the project objectives. They have received valuable feedback and advice on the direction of the study and identified a wide variety of issues relevant to women’s participation in each region. The researchers are eager to interview women involved with the sugar industry who live in either of the two regions - Herbert to Mossman and the Bundaberg/Isis district - to hear first-hand about their experiences.

APEN ExtensionNet Volume 14 Number 2 Students’ Segment This edition – Kamal Gaire (The University of Mebourne)

I am Kamal Gaire, currently undertaking My aim was to conduct semi-structured a Master in Agriculture (by research) at interviews back in Nepal with farmers Faculty of Land and Food Resources, and extension officers to develop a better University of Melbourne. My research focus understanding of what sustains a group. is on sustaining grassroots women groups However, people’s demonstrations against in Nepal. the king’s direct rule in Kathmandu made I have got a bachelor degree in Agricultural Nepal a ‘politically unstable country’ (in the science from Institute of Agriculture language of DIMIA) which delayed my field Kamal Gaire and Animal Science (IAAS), Tribhuwan work. Thankfully the revolution in Nepal University, Nepal and a Graduate Diploma succeeded and finally I was able to spend a in Agricultural Science from the University of few months in Nepal interviewing grassroots Melbourne. In Nepal I worked for agricultural group members and extension officers and extension agencies for more than six years analysing what they said. both at the field and central level. My last One of my key findings is that the job was as an agricultural economist at the government’s policy of promoting conversion Gender and Environment Division of The of grassroots groups into cooperatives as an Without proper Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives with exit strategy has caused problem for the capacity the responsibility of planning and monitoring sustainability of women’s groups in particular. development, of extension programs mainly for women Without proper capacity development, women’s groups farmers. women’s groups may be weaker within formally structured cooperatives. may be weaker Despite poor infrastructure and services within formally many women farmers I visited and interacted In addition to my field work in Nepal, structured with, are doing well and showed exceptional I have also had the opportunity to visit energy to do something good for themselves some Victorian farms and talked to farmers cooperatives. and their communities. However, I found that to understand difference in farmers and once the term of projects supporting these farming systems. I noticed that gender roles groups expired, communities’ enthusiasm and relations were surprisingly different and eagerness to do something also here. Farmers with hundreds of hectares expired, often well before achieving their of land practicing precision agriculture and ultimate goals. robot milking changed my perception on the As an extension officer I wanted to know definition of a farmer and farming. For me why most Nepalese grassroots groups, a farmer is a poor, largely illiterate man or and women’s groups in particular, do not woman who works hard on the farm to earn last longer. I believe that if this question is his/her livelihood. My participation in the properly answered both group members, APEN International Conference on Practice extension agencies and the community Change for Sustainable Communities helped me to better understand Australian grassroots will benefit, because sustained grassroots If you are a student groups mainly in the field of agriculture and mobilization has the potential to address undertaking research in natural resource management. gender and development issues. Questions the area of extension, about the sustainability of grassroots women I am currently completing my analysis and participatory research groups are therefore the main focus of my hope to submit my masters in May 2007. I or rural community master’s research project. will then return to Nepal where I will continue development, and would Grassroots groups are a forum for local my work in extension. like to share your story in a people to identify, prioritize, and solve their future edition of Extension problems. Problems related to livelihood Net, please contact APEN. improvement and resource management Your story can provide are of a re-occurring nature. To solve these APEN members with an problems, sprouting one after another, idea of the current research farmers need access to a well developed taking place in Australia and institution. Internationally.

APEN ExtensionNet Volume 14 Number 2 Extension gems unearthed at Nambour By Austin McLennan (SE Queensland / N NSW cluster co-ordinator) I would suggest that it’s a rare person who goes to a conference or workshop, World/Possibilities Café in action at Nambour gets completely inspired or convinced by a different way of doing things, and then goes back makes radical changes to the way he or she works. More typically, we go away from these events with a few ‘gems’ in our pockets – these ‘gems’ might be a turn of phrase that caught our attention, a certain process, or any idea we picked up that we think could be useful in our work. So it was that, sitting around at the Albury airport after APEN’s successful International Conference at Beechworth, several of us hatched the plan to get together again and share our conference gems - not so much with each other, but with those who hadn’t made it to the conference. And thus the idea for ‘Digging for Gold – Extension gems from give others a chance to see if they could Services to train Extension Officers in the APEN 2006 International Conference adapt it to their own situations. We did, delivering bad news 2006’ was born. and at least one of the participants went 2. Plastic Table Cloth (John James) And if the gold and gem metaphors back and tried it in the ‘real world’! o Great Facilitator’s Tool were a little mixed, so what! Scattered among these snappy o Buy a cheap white plastic table What happened? presentations we’re many more extension gems from the Beechworth cloth After various organisational matters conference. o Spray it with 3M ‘Repositional had been attended to by the cluster Adhesive Spray’ about 1 hour before co-ordinator and his helpers, twenty We collected a number of these during use three extension practitioners eventually the day and have included them in our gathered at Nambour in southeast ‘treausure chest’ below. Perhaps you o Ordinary paper can now be moved Queensland in June. too will find something there that will be around – like a giant ‘Post-It’ note useful in your extension work. They had all gathered to hear, and o Spray available from Office Works or some to share, the pearls of wisdom If you want some more information on any decent Photo Shop a particular gem, you could contact me being dispensed that day- yet another 3. Brief Note on Communities of and I will put you in touch with the person mixed metaphor! Practice (John James) who shared it First John James (DPI&F) filled us in o CoP share a concern, set of problems, Extension gems from Nambour on what ‘Knowledge Management’ is passion to deepen knowledge & and what it can offer extension. We then [from Peter: These notes were intended experience – by interacting on an on- turned to chickens and macadamias as just as a memory trigger of the GEMS going basis Alison Spencer (DPI&F), Paul O’Hare learned and are not intended to provide o CoP are useful to help disseminate, (DPI&F) and Kevin Quinlan (NSW all detail/procedure behind each GEM] DPI) highlighted projects they’ve been enable rapid problem solving, help 1. Importance of Telling a Story (Paul involved with in these industries. knowledge flow O’Hare) Even more ‘down to earth’, Abigail o CoP – must always have a learning o Related to a story about an Extension Jenkins and Rebecca Lines-Kelly (both for someone Officer telling a grazier his sheep NSW DPI) reprised their Beechworth o John used the example of the flock had a devastating disease – on presentation on how they go about DPI&F Information extension Officer CHRISTMAS EVE!!! making soils extension sexy. group – shared issue = production o Don’t underestimate the importance After lunch, we had a look at an of information resources such as of telling a story extension process called the ‘World websites, editing etc. Café’. This was used at the conference o It’s not always about Facts & o “Mayor” or “Chain Captain” MUST and was new to many people. The idea Figures have the means & capacity to influence for Nambour was to demonstrate it and o IDEA – utilise QLD Police/Emergency change Continued page 11 ...

APEN ExtensionNet 10 Volume 14 Number 2 Welcome to these new New APEN members members who have joined since last edition. If you’ve recently joined APEN, APEN for a few seasons now, be sure to Jacqui Doyle VIC welcome! You’ll reap plenty of professional say hello to the new members. Ketut Puspadi Indonesia and personal rewards. If you’ve been in Regina Fogarty NSW Anthony Sim VIC Jenny Cleary Peter Metaclife WA Jessica Sheppard WA Jenny has more than 20 years experience working Jenny Cleary SA in community-focused organisations, within multiple contexts, including roles as an administrator in Community Health, a lecturer within the vocational education sector specialising in entry level training, and as communications specialist with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. She is currently working with Rural Solutions SA, a South Australian Government owned consulting business. Her role is Program Leader in the area of Community Development and she continues to work with a diverse range of communities from her base in the South Australian Rangelands.

As part of her work across a range of settings, Jenny has undertaken a number of action research methodologies focussed on developing and enhancing community capacity and engagement strategies. She has presented internationally on this topic, and undertook a study tour to parts of Canada in 2005 to share with and learn from other practitioners in this area. Jenny is currently completing a Masters in Social Policy and Planning with Charles Sturt University, and she is keen to pursue research interests in the area of developing social indicators for rural community innovation and sustainability.

Jessica Sheppard

I have recently been employed by the Avon Catchment Council as a Soil Health Extension Officer. This is a new position designed to provide coordinated, accurate soil health information to the WA agricultural community. I’m really excited to be in a pure extension position after working for 3 years as a Research Officer for the Department of Agriculture. As a researcher, I found myself craving more interaction with the public. As a consequence, in the third year of my time in the Department, I completed a graduate certificate in public relations. However, once my project finished, I wanted a complete break and went travelling for 2 years in New Zealand and Europe before returning to WA to resume my career in Soil Science. I have a Bachelor of Science in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (Hons) from the University of Western Australia.

Continued from page 10 ... (Kevin Quinlan) capacity 4. Bright Ideas Out-of-the-Box (Simon o Photos/maps tell a story better than o Important to realise that if we Newett) words implement something, we need to MAKE the time to ENJOY IT!!! o Related a story of an Extension o Don’t forget the other gender – Officer having trouble engaging a partners play a key role also 7. Sending Screen Projector blank (Scott Ledger) community due to language barriers 6. Regional Health Project (Rebecca o Organised a Buffalo Ploughing Lines-Kelly) o Rather than placing the cap on an operating projector (heat/fire risk), Competition – the entire community o Gave free medical check-ups to all simply press ‘B’ on the computer came out for the day farmers in one district keyboard and light turns off o Moral of Story – try to come up o Found that 80% required referral to a o To turn light back on, press ‘B’ again with a bright idea that is out-of-the- specialist for serious health concerns box thinking to break engagement (or any other key) boundaries o We need to realise that we are dealing with people operating/functioning 5. Map of the World & Digital Camera on the edge of physical & emotional Continued page 12 ...

APEN ExtensionNet 11 Volume 14 Number 2 Continued from page 11 ... stories (such as those from the Best o 4 training days a year Practice Mac Groups) are the meat on 8. What is Evaluation (Paul O’Hare & o 4 new initiatives a year the bone that makes it all worthwhile Kevin Quinlan) o 4 weeks holiday a year 9. “Most Significant Change” o “Evaluation is about INFORMING Technique (Paul O’Hare & Kevin o These were the results of an extension THE FUTURE rather than criticising the Quinlan) project; which achieved increase in past”, Unknown, Beechworth 2006 participation and enhanced aspirations o A way of QUALITATIVE o Evaluation is a balance between as well as increased production. assessment ‘Facts & Figures’ and ‘Telling a Story’ o The 4x4x4 principle was also o Asks the question about what is the o Gave example of 2 different stories, presented as a useful benchmark most significant change that growers one more quantitative (decreased for what makes a healthy farming have noticed – often ends in ‘stories’ packing shed costs) vs one more business. Enet qualitative (felt better about being in the o Check out paper on APEN Conference orchard as a result of certain practices). Website re: LandLearn (?) Asked us to vote on which one we like 10. 4 x 4 x 4 - more than just increased best using post it notes. About 50-50 production and profit (Alison Spencer split in our group. – did not have time to give this o ‘Facts & Figures’ are the skeleton; GEM)

Where to Contact APEN: Management committee Cluster Coordinators

Neale Price (President) Victoria Far North Queensland ACT Ph: (07) 3354 1176 Alison Medhurst, Ph 03 9210 9246 Peter Holden Ph 07 4048 4600 Gill Stewart Ph: 02 6263 6042 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Jess Jennings (Vice-President and South Australia SE Queensland & N NSW Melbourne Treasurer) Ph: 0423 224 750 Jenny Cleary, Ph 08 8648 5172 Austin McLennan Jo Vigliaturo Ph: 03 9296 4613 [email protected] [email protected] Ph: 07 4693 2486 [email protected] [email protected] John James (Past President) Western Australia Rutherglen (Victoria) Ph 07 4688 1125 Tracey Gianatti Western Queensland Carole Hollier Ph 02 6030 4500 [email protected] Ph: 08 9380 3410 Gerry Roberts Ph 07 4658 4410 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Amabel Fulton (Secretary) Western Australia (agriculture) Ph 03 6231 9033 Northern Territory Sydney Pamela l’Anson Ph 08 9690 2201 annabel.fulton@ruraldevelopments Greg Owens, Laura Schibrowski [email protected] ervices.com Ph: 08 8999 2220, Ph: 0431 102 871 Western Australia (NRM) [email protected] [email protected] Amrit Kendrick Ph 08 9383 4438 Chrissy King (Editor) [email protected] Ph: 07 5460 1105 Tasmania Albury (New South Wales) Amabel Fulton, Jo Millar Ph 02 6051 9859 [email protected] Policy Ph: 03 6231 9033 [email protected] Greg Leach (Qld) Regional Coordinators annabel.fulton@ruraldevelopme Ph 07 3869 9659 ntservices.com Queensland [email protected] Derek Foster, Ph: 07 5448 5025 New Zealand [email protected] Neels Botha, APEN Secretariat Ph: 64 7 838 5106 Rosemary Currie, PO Box 1239, New South Wales [email protected] WODONGA 3689, AUSTRALIA Jess Jennings Ph: 0423 224 750 Ph: 02 6024 5349, Fax: 02 6056 1967, [email protected] [email protected] APEN Website www.apen.org.au Guidelines and deadlines Submissions should be made in MS Word 6.0 with minimal formatting. A portrait photograph of the author is required. All photographs, figures and/or tables ought to be provided as separate files (preferably TIF or JPEG; photos scanned at 300 dpi). Feature articles should be around 1000 words and minor articles 500 words. The editor reserves the right to edit submitted material to meet space restrictions. Letters to the editor or general items of news of interest to the network are welcome. Articles should be submitted at least four weeks prior to publication. Preference is given to articles that are grounded in some form of project or event. Editing: Chrissy King, UQ Gatton. Layout: Brendan Lloyd, Snap Printing Wodonga, Victoria. Production management: Rosemary Currie, APEN Secretariat, Wodonga, Victoria. Opinions expressed in ExtensionNet are not necessarily those of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (Inc.) unless otherwise stated. Stories and photos (next edition) due to Editor 30 March 2007

APEN ExtensionNet 12 Volume 14 Number 2