Extension approaches and resources

Useful publications

	This 12 page discussion paper Enabling change in rural and regional Australia (PDF, 571KB) provides a modern understanding to what extension is and how it has changed over time. It defines extension as ‘the process of enabling change in individuals, communities and industries involved with primary industries and natural resource management (NRM)’.
	This booklet demonstrates the contribution extension plays in making a difference in rural communities. Entitled Extension works: case studies demonstrating how extension enables change in rural Australia (PDF, 1MB), the 18 page booklet outlines several short stories from across Australia which provide examples of how modern extension methodologies have been used in achieving real outcomes.
	The book Shaping Change: Natural Resource Management, Agriculture and the Role of Extension ($45 standard price) presents the current state of play of extension, and its role in Natural Resource Management and commercial agricultural industry for the Australasia-Pacific region. Over 35 leading thinkers and authors of extension have contributed works regarding: the historical origins and developmental path of extension a wide array of current principles and practices for enabling change the economics, policy dimensions and markets of extension.
	The Guide to Evaluating Rural Extension (PDF, 1.94MB) has been developed by the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS). The purpose is to support those involved in extension evaluation to choose how to conduct more comprehensive, rigorous, credible and useful evaluations. The Guide supports readers to understand different types of evaluation, to make decisions on what is most appropriate for their circumstances, and to access further sources of theoretical and practical information.

Keep up-to-date with the latest developments

	Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN) is the leading professional association for people whose job involves facilitating change in regional communities. Being an APEN member doesn’t cost much but provides a wide range of benefits. These include attending and presenting at events and receiving the printed ExtensionNet newsletter.
	The Journal of Extension is is a refereed journal that is published online for free. While it targets US extension professionals, most of its content is relevant for Australia. You can subscribe to receive email or RSS notifications of new issues.
	The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension (J Agr Educ Ext) was formerly known as the European Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension from 1994 to 1998. Five issues are published each year and it often has articles relevant to extension practice in Australia.
	The Rural Extension and Innovation (REIS) Journal focuses on extension aspects of agribusiness and natural resource management systems. It is published in printed and electronic form by the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN). The target audience includes extension practitioners and educators, agribusiness managers, business consultants and professional farmers.
	Rural Society is an international, peer reviewed academic journal which focuses on rural social research of interest and relating to rural communities and societies.

Useful training opportunities

Writing for the web

4Syllables offers Writing for the web workshops, so if your group has money to spend on training and you want to brush up your writing skills contact 4syllables for more information.

Persuasion skills

C-Qual agritelligence P/L will tailor Persuasion skills workshops to suit your industry. In 2012 they ran two workshops for FutureBeef extension staff, which were very well received. The workshops aimed to expand the focus of extension from purely evidence based, to include changing the mind-set of graziers to increase adoption rates across all components of the beef business. For more details about the Persuasion Skills workshop please contact Bob Shepherd, DAF Queensland or C-Qual agritelligence P/L.