Iva Quarisa

Preferred presentation format Poster

Affiliation(s): NSW Agriculture

Title: Miss Iva Annette Quarisa Position: Irrigation Officer Organisation: NSW Agriculture Contact email: iva.quarisa@agric.nsw.gov.au Contact phone: 02 69601331

Keywords: Sharing experiences, communication, community engagement, empowerment

Extension processes in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) in NSW have deviated from the traditional one-on-one to group extension activities. They have also taken on a more structured approach- extension through education courses with specific objectives & outcomes linked to the implementation of EnviroWise (MIA Land & Water Management Plan).

In the MIA, NSW Agriculture and Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) have collaborated to establish the FarmWise education program. FarmWise is a refined and customised mixture of NSW Agriculture’s state-wide WaterWise course and the now defunct Farming For the Future Property Management Planning program.

FarmWise to date has been a huge success for a number of reasons. The combination of theory and hands-on exercises as well as flexibly run sessions with open discussion, promote the sharing of experiences enabling participants to learn from others successes and mistakes. Specialist presenters, who are credible and likeable, are used to ensure the whole FarmWise experience is enjoyable and relevant.

The flexible, open format provides a neutral location for discussion of issues resulting in better communication between the farm team/family members as well as between irrigators, MI and NSW Agriculture. This provides an ideal opportunity for community engagement in local initiatives.

FarmWise promotes best management practices but also exposes irrigators to other related issues and provides the links with other programs such as More Crop Per Drop, RGA Environmental Champions Program, MIA Power Pact and HortVision 2010), making it a “one-stop-shop” that ultimately will empower irrigators to undertake attitude and practice change.

Key learning points:

• Learning from others experiences is an effective learning tool
• Customising existing programs to reflect local initiatives provides relevance
• Credible & experienced presenters with local knowledge provide a ‘good learning experience’ for participants which facilitates on-going commitment

Sally Richards

Bi$Link: A Project Promoting Farm Business Management Training for Horticulturists from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds

Preferred presentation format: Poster

Affiliation(s): (1) Regency Institute of TAFE
(2) Virginia Horticulture Centre

Title: Ms Sally Richards Position: Bi$Link National Project Officer Organisation: Regency Institute of TAFE and Virginia Horticulture Centre Contact email: Sally.Richards@regency.tafe.sa.edu.au Contact phone: 08 8207 9820

Keywords: horticulture, language, culture, business, continuous learning

Growers with a first language other than English are responsible for at least 30% of Australia’s horticultural industry. How can we improve their business skills and support their successful management of change?

Bi$Link is a two-year national project funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Its focus is on improving access and participation in farm business management training. It is in the process of:

• networking educators in horticulture, business and language, literacy and numeracy, grower communities, other individuals and organisations across the nation
• collecting, listing and improving access to training resources, which include resources that have been translated or written specifically for growers with limited skills in English language, literacy and/or numeracy
• supporting and recording the work of eight pilot training groups including growers from six different cultural/language backgrounds, located in South Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.

Bi$Link is working with growers and trainers in a variety of regional settings and is involved with a range of different organisations and funding providers. It is identifying contexts, methodologies and resources that lead to successful extension programs and promote continuous interest and involvement in learning. It is also examining ways in which language, literacy and numeracy training might be integrated into horticultural training.

Key learning points:

• Growers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are a significant part of the horticultural industry.
• Extending extension involves all parties improving their communication skills.
• Translating information into other languages does not necessarily provide the key for adoption of new skills or technology.