Knowledge Sharing for Good Soil Stewardship

Knowledge Sharing for Good Soil Stewardship project was funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils (Soil CRC ). The project identified knowledge-sharing strategies to increase landholder engagement in soil health improvement practices. An integral research activity for the project involved the assessment and use of digital engagement and online tools by participant grower groups collaborating on the project.

Background

Knowledge Sharing for Good Soil Stewardship project applyied knowledge sharing strategies to improve the uptake of new innovations and best practice for soil management in farming communities. Southern Cross University led this two-year project (2021-2023) which received major investment funding from the Soil CRC. 

Project partners included industry organisations, grower groups, and universities. 

CeRDI was a partner on the project and conducted research to monitor and document the role and application of digital strategies used by the four grower groups across the duration of the Knowledge Sharing project.

Outcomes

A key output of the project is the 'Knowledge Sharing Guide for Grower Groups’, which was a led by Dr Hanabeth Luke. The guide was developed to help grower groups and extension professionals plan their farmer engagement activities. The guide also includes digital engagement strategies, informed by the research.   

The digital engagement research demonstrated that grower groups are using an extensive range of digital engagement tools. They have a breadth of knowledge, skills, and experience in using digital engagement tools for sharing information and knowledge across their networks, with members (including farmer-producers), their sponsors and funders and the broader agriculture community.

Innovation

The digital engagement research synthesises how the four grower groups in Australia are utilising digital engagement tools. The findings are unique, showcasing a deep understanding and commitment by grower groups to share information, and to communicate through their networks and members, using a wide range of digital engagement tools.

Approach

Three rounds of interviews were conducted across three timepoints with representatives from each of the four participating grower groups. Secondary data from process diaries compiled by staff at each grow groups about their undertaking digital and other engagement activities over the course of the project were collected and analysed.