Building Supportive Networks Among Agricultural Innovators Through a Symposium on Dryland Organic Farming

Authors

Julia Piaskowski, Washington State UniversityFollow
Bertie Weddell, Washington State UniversityFollow
E Patrick Fuerst, Washington State UniversityFollow
Diana Roberts, Washington State UniversityFollow
Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, Washington State UniversityFollow

Volume

51

Issue

6

DOI

10.34068/joe.51.06.06

Abstract

Extension can play a valuable role by bringing together those who are pioneering innovative practices. We planned, built, and evaluated an Extension symposium on dryland organic agriculture. Post-symposium evaluations indicated that this process disseminated regionally relevant information; fostered networks among producers, researchers, and the organic processing and feed industries; enhanced trust among stakeholders; and increased interest in expanding organic production. Ninety-five percent of respondents indicated that they established new business relationships within 6 months of the symposium. A unique aspect of our project was the enhancement of social capital between geographically separated rural localities.

Creative Commons License

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Recommended Citation

Piaskowski, J., Weddell, B., Fuerst, E., Roberts, D., & Carpenter-Boggs, L. (2013). Building Supportive Networks Among Agricultural Innovators Through a Symposium on Dryland Organic Farming. The Journal of Extension, 51(6), Article 6. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.51.06.06