DAF Enhanced Extension Coordination: Achieving better results together

Achieving better results together is a peer-to-peer learning program for cropping and sugarcane land managers from the Monto and southern sugarcane growing districts of the Burnett Mary region. The project encourages professional development and capacity building across the cropping and sugarcane industries through a residential leadership program, a bus trip tour to understand regionally specific learnings webinars and targeted workshops. The program is funded through the Enhanced Extension Coordination in Great Barrier Reef project with support from the Burnett Mary Regional Group, CANEGROWERS Isis and the Burnett Catchment Care Association .

In 2018 to 2019, the project delivered one residential leadership module; a bus trip tour with cropping and sugarcane growers to investigate precision agriculture and energy efficiency within the region, and a mentoring program for 15 cropping and sugarcane growers.

Social outcomes have been reported as a result of this program. Feedback from participants involved in the residential leadership module showed changes to attitudes, perceived barriers and motivations. Some comments were: “Very interesting to look at to understand how we think and act. Helps understand our staff personalities better and maybe ways to motivate them and get them on-board”. “The field visits were of great value to my business because it will help make better irrigation infrastructure purchases and the program was of value because it will assist in our understanding and assessing of business operations.”