
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.
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TEAM MEMBERS
Dr Hanabeth Luke, Southern Cross University (Lead researcher)
Dr Yvonne Haigh, Murdoch University
Distinguished Professor Helen Thompson, Federation University
Dr Alison Ollerenshaw, Federation University (University lead)
Assoc Prof Peter Dahlhaus, Federation University
Dr Nathan Craig, West Midlands Group
Naomi Scholz, Ag Innovation and Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP)
Diana Fear, Central West Farming Systems
Fiona Best, Birchip Cropping Group
Dr In-Young Yeo, The University of Newcastle
Sonia Weiss, Southern Cross University
Dr Sarina Kilham, Southern Cross University
Dr Martin Brueckner, Murdoch Univeristy
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RESEARCH OUTPUT
The Knowledge Sharing Guide: soilcrc.com.au/resources/knowledge-sharing-guide-for-grower-groups/
Research Findings Fact Sheet - Digital Engagement.
Ollerenshaw, A., Thompson, H., Luke, H., Cooke, P., Best, D., Scholz, N., Fear, D., Craig, N., Telfer, J., Wright, A., & Kruger, S. (2025). The application of digital tools for knowledge sharing in agriculture: a longitudinal case study from four Australian grower groups. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 230, 109843. doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2024.109843
Ollerenshaw, A., & Thompson, H. (2023). Knowledge sharing for good soil stewardship: Digital Engagement Guide. Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation, Federation University Australia. 30p.33p.
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VIDEOS
Program 1 panel – Knowledge sharing (30:07)
The knowledge sharing panel asked the question ‘How can we do it better?’ Soil CRC’s Program 1 Leader Professor Catherine Allan guided the discussion with Hanabeth Luke from Southern Cross University, Simon Kruger from West Midlands Group, Eyre Peninsula consultant David Davenport and Soil CRC’s Felicity Harrop. Recorded at the 2023 Soil CRC Participants Conference in Launceston, Tasmania, on 30 August 2023.
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NEWS
Soil CRC releases Knowledge Sharing Guide
– 18 November 2024
The Soil CRC has released a new guide to help grower groups and extension professionals plan their farmer engagement activities... Continue reading
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Knowledge sharing for good soil stewardship - 22 September 2023
Dr Hanabeth Luke of Southern Cross University is leading the Soil CRC’s research effort to address challenges with sharing knowledge... Continue reading...
Soil-Stewardship and knowledge sharing project - 10 June 2022
Soil is a fundamental resource on which much depends, and the careful and responsible management of soils (soil-stewardship) has an important role...... Continue reading...