Driving Farm Innovation through Knowledge Transfer

Key ingredients for effective farmer learning
through knowledge transfer events
Sean Mannion¹, Anne Markey², Mark Gibson³
1 Teagasc/UCD MAgrSc Innovation Support Student (2014-2016)
2 School of Agriculture and Food Science, Agriculture and Food Science Centre University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4
3 Knowledge Management & Communications Specialist Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway
Project Aim
•To determine the key ingredients for effective farmer learning through knowledge transfer events organised by Teagasc
Background
•In 2014 Teagasc carried out 991 Knowledge Transfer (KT) events, categorised as open days/Farm Walks/ Demonstrations (42% ) and
Meetings/Seminars (58%)
•The challenge and future direction of Teagasc is to improve and innovate knowledge transfer systems
•There is a lot of research conducted by Teagasc with some 500 research staff, however technical research must be complemented by
research into effective knowledge transfer systems
To review current
best practice used
in the planning
and
implementation of
KT events and
farmer learning
To establish
key criteria
for effective
farmer
learning
through KT
events
To identify farmers
knowledge,
attitudes and
practices with
respect to Teagasc
KT events
Objectives
Of
Research
To create
a profile
of Teagasc
KT events
To examine the
attitudes and
practices of
Teagasc staff in
planning and
implementing
KT events
Exit-poll surveys &
follow up interviews
• Major Sheep Event
(National) (N=181)
Att.= 12,000
• Major Dairy Event
(National) (N=228)
Att.= 15,000
• Regional Sheep
Events (N=71)
Att.= 750
• Regional Beef
Events (N=49)
Att.= 400
• Regional Dairy
Events (TBC)
Study Location
Event
organisers
• Key
informative
interviews
• N = 3
Event
presenters
Methodology
• Semi
Structured
Questionnaire
• N = 16
Event attendees
• Semi Structured
Questionnaire
(exit-poll)
• N = 580
• 97.7% stated that the event met or exceeded their expectations
• Farmers who are not part of a discussion group learn more at events
Event attendees
• Semi Structured
Interview
• N = 10
• 67% stated that there were no improvements that they would recommend to the way
information was presented
• Visually seeing a practice in action and being able to ask questions was regarded as
being very important, and the preference for many farmers
• According to respondents peer to peer communication is very important for learning
• Greater attendance at discussion group approved events
Expected Outputs:
• Assist Teagasc building best practice for KT events
within Sheep, Dairy and Beef enterprises
• Provide insights for event organisers and presenters
on how farmers learn best at KT events
• Identify barriers for effective learning
Key findings from event
attendees: (529 surveys & 10
Interviews)
• From 30 Counties
• 85% are the main decision makers on their
farm
• 66% are/have been in a discussion group
• 79 Ha is the average farm size
• 71% are full time farming
• 87% of attendees were