A Communications and Engagement Workshop for Extension Officers took place in Mareeba on 23 May.
Attended by a mix of Cape York NRM and Department of Agriculture staff and contractors, the full-day workshop covered body language, empathy, and managing emotions in ourselves and others.
The workshop was held as part of the joint Cape York NRM – Terrain NRM Enhanced Extension Coordination project, a three - year initiative designed to improve coordination, collaboration and communication between extension networks and farmers to increase efficiency, reduce duplication and improve environmental outcomes.
Cape York NRM Regional Extension Coordinator Oliver McConnachie, who is the joint lead of the project along with Terrain NRM Regional Extension Coordinator Michael Nash, said a key focus of his role was increasing the skills and capacity of extension officers through establishing a Regional Extension Network and a range of professional development opportunities.
Coordinated by Cape York NRM Communications Manager Juliana Foxlee, and attended by Cape York NRM and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries staff, the workshop was designed to support extension officers learn more about effective communication and engagement.
‘I attended the workshop and found it very rewarding,’ Juliana said.
‘I was particularly impressed with trainer Tracy Benson’s focus on how we communicate. In general, we tend to focus on what others are doing, or not doing, rather than looking at ourselves and asking, how well do I listen, how well do I empathise?
‘Good communication and engagement skills are integral to effective extension and in turn, to improved environmental outcomes.’
This workshop was funded by the Queensland Government Reef Water Quality Program and delivered by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries with partner organisations Cape York NRM and Terrain NRM
This workshop was funded by the Queensland Government Reef Water Quality Program and delivered by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries with partner organisations Cape York NRM and Terrain NRM
