Words Juliana Foxlee | Photo Robyn May
Cape York NRM and Terrain NRM are working together to help farmers learn from each other and bring greater coordination to personal farming support services, also known as extension services.
Known as the Enhanced Extension Coordination project, the three - year initiative is designed
to improve coordination, collaboration and communication between extension networks and farmers within the Wet Tropics and Cape York catchment areas to increase efficiency, reduce duplication and improve environmental outcomes.
The project is managed by two Regional Extension Coordinators—Terrain NRM’s Michael Nash who covers the cane and banana industries, and Cape York NRM’s Oliver McConnachie who works with graziers and mixed croppers.
They pair are tasked with:
-
establishing Regional Extension Coordination
Networks
-
establishing Peer to Peer groups
-
allocating Flexible Funding and supporting the
implementation of Flexible Funding projects
Cape York NRM Regional Extension Coordinator Oliver McConnachie said his role was all about bringing people together to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of extension services, and creating opportunities for farmers to learn from each other.
‘I have established a Regional Extension Network which brings together regional Extension Officers, and host organisations such as Cape York NRM, South Cape York Catchments, Cape York Weeds and Ferals Inc., Barron Catchment Care, Terrain, private consultants, lifestyle and business couches and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries,’ Oliver explained.
‘I am also in the process of establishing place-based Peer to Peer networks to enable farmers to share knowledge, learn from each other, and propose initiatives which would increase knowledge and improve practice, such as workshops or professional development, or practical, on- the-ground- activities.’
Oliver can be contacted on oliver.mcconnachie@capeyorknrm.com.au
This project has been funded by the Queensland Government Reef Water Quality Program
