People working in horticulture and agriculture extension are encouraged to join a new Community of Practice which offers the opportunity for collaboration and shared learning.
The impetus for the extension-focused Community of Practice emerged from discussions with those attending a series of extension training workshops, which A Lighter Touch hosted together with extension experts Scarlatti to upskill and support industry extension.
The first A Lighter Touch Extension Community of Practice meeting was held in January, and brought together a group of extension specialists working in a variety of roles including technical extension, facilitation, communications, policy support, and grower-facing work.
Attendees listen at a previous ALT hosted extension training workshop.
Key extension challenges were identified and prioritised, with audience segmentation and how to effectively target extension was top of the list. Other common challenges were lack of coordination, poor grower attendance, demonstrating cost–benefit, balancing extension push and pull, and operating within time, funding, and business constraints.
The Community of Practice meetings will be held monthly throughout 2026, and will focus on creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, networking and sharing best practice on topics relevant to the sectors participants are working in. The monthly meetings will be supported by a communications channel for group discussion outside of the monthly meetings.
Getting involved in the Community of Practice is a way to boost cross sector collaboration and upskill in extension.
A Lighter Touch is funding the Community of Practice for the first year, with the goal of building a valuable learning and collaborative environment that members of the group choose to take over the running of in 2027. About 25 people working in extension have so far registered their interest in being involved.
Anyone interested in more information or wanting to join the Community of Practice can do so by emailing news@a-lighter-touch.co.nz
