Social Innovations in Natural Resource Management ...

Social Innovations in Natural Resource Management

How much is cleaner stormwater worth? Brad Jorgensen This research was undertaken by CSIRO’s Australian Research Centre for Water in Society. It was part of a much larger study concerning community management of stormwater pollution abatement in four Australian state capital cities (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth). The water management agencies in these cities wanted to know whether the public were aware of stormwater pollution in rivers and oceans and how their day-to-day activities contribute to the pollution load, and whether there was a capacity for householders to change their behaviour in ways that reduced pollutants that entered the stormwater system. In addition to these awareness and behaviour change issues, the water management agencies wanted to establish the willingness of households to pay (e.g. through local government levies) to obtain cleaner water by implementing specific technical solutions to address stormwater pollution (e.g. the creation of an artificial wetland in Brisbane, sediment traps in Melbourne, and a suite of options in Sydney and Perth). Data was collected to assess the willingness of the public to pay for cleaner stormwater

Attitudes toward paying for cleaner stormwater was a bigger predictor than the price of the pollution abatement

The research was undertaken over a four-year period, and there were a number of data collection periods. In the final data collection stage, 800 individuals from randomly selected households participated in face-toface structured interviews. The major focus of this stage of the research was to measure willingness to pay (WTP) amounts and to establish exactly why people were or were not willing to pay for cleaner stormwater. The focus therefore was on understanding the meaning of the WTP responses rather than deriving an estimate of the economic value of the various policy options. Willingness to pay was measured using the contingent valuation method with a dichotomous choice WTP question. This approach involves presenting individuals with a “price” for the abatement strategy and then asking respondents if they were either willing to pay it or not. The price amount is varied across individuals in the sample. In order to understand the basis of individual’s WTP responses, the research employed a model which included price, household income, and attitude toward paying. This model was estimated in each city sample and then compared across samples. The results showed: Attitudes toward paying for stormwater pollution abatement was defined by beliefs concerning the fairness of having to pay more money, trust in

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How do day to day household activities contribute to stormwater pollution load?


government and individual rights to cleaner stormwater Price of the pollution abatement intervention was a significant predictor of WTP responses in each city sample. This relationship was relatively large in the Perth, Sydney and Melbourne samples, but not in Brisbane sample. Attitude toward paying was a significant predictor of WTP in each city sample, and the size of the relationship did not vary across samples. Attitude was a larger predictor of WTP responses than was price. Income did not affect WTP directly, but was significantly related to ‘attitude toward paying’.

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These results suggest that individual’s WTP responses are significantly influenced by factors not directly associated with the pollution abatement strategy. Specifically, decisions about paying were grounded in perceptions of the fairness of having to pay additional household payments to achieve cleaner stormwater. Respondents may well value cleaner stormwater, but question the valuation method, and particularly the attribution of individual household responsibility inherent in the WTP question. Knowledge derived from this research can help policy makers better discern what aspects of a policy option or is acceptable to various stakeholders

Interventions aimed at addressing environmental pollution can be evaluated on the basis of social criteria. Economic valuation methodologies focused on efficiency may have a role in policy development. However, this research indicates that more scrutiny of this type of data is required in order to ascertain whether it represents what contingent valuation practitioners intend it to represent. By employing a more complete account of human decision-making than normally occurs in economic valuation exercises, policy makers can better discern what aspects of a policy option or its context are acceptable to various stakeholders.

Economic processes are used in assessing the value of policy options in relation to public goods – however, social and environmental values cannot always be described in economic terms

It is important to understand any procedure that claims validity as a tool for environmental policy decisions. The contingent valuation method and other approaches in economic valuation are used throughout the world as a means of establishing the value of policy options concerning the allocation of public goods. However, the market is only one context in which individuals express value for the environment, and it is not always possible to translate social and environmental values into the language of economics. In some instances, individuals will scrutinize the structure of the valuation context itself rather than evaluate the potential benefits of the policy option at hand. The question for these individuals is not “how much is cleaner stormwater worth?” rather “how is this fair?”

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Contact details

Name: Dr Brad Jorgensen Address: School of Journalism and Communication, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Q 4072 Phone: (07) 3365 2630 Fax: (07) 3365 1377 Email: [email protected]

Research Sponsor/partners

The project was managed by the Australian Research Centre for Water in Society (CSIRO, Land and Water) in collaboration with the Brisbane City Council, Sydney Water, Melbourne Water, and the Water Authority of Western Australia (now the Western Australian Water Corporation). Funding was provided by the Urban Water Research Association of Australia and the participating water agencies.

Further Reading

Jorgensen, B. S. (in review). The discriminant and convergent validity of willingness to pay responses and individual evaluations of moral satisfaction? A multitrait-multimethod analysis with public and mixed goods. Ecological Economics. Jorgensen, B. S., and Syme, G. J. (2000). Protest responses and willingness to pay: Attitude toward paying for stormwater pollution abatement. Ecological Economics, 33(2), 251-265.

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Jorgensen, B. S. (2002). Perceived justice and the economic valuation of the environment. In A. Winnett and Alyson Warhurst (eds.), Towards a Collaborative Environmental Research Agenda. London: Macmillan.


Learning, evaluation, action and reflection for new technologies, empowerment and rural sustainability (The LEARNERS Project) June Lennie Rural communities and new communications and information technologies

 J. Lennie

Policies and programs have recently been implemented that aim to increase community participation, build community skills and capacities, and encourage lifelong learning. Their aim is to create communities that are more inclusive, cooperative and self-reliant. The effective use of new communications and information technology (C&IT) such as the internet can potentially help rural communities meet these aims. However, new communication technologies raise many challenges and issues for rural communities, including equity of access, meeting the diverse training and support needs of community members, securing ongoing funding and resources for planning, developing and managing C&IT initiatives; and evaluating the direct and indirect impacts of these initiatives:

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In May 2002, a Queensland University of Technology research team approached a number of rural communities to assess their interest in trialling the LEARNERS process. LEARNERS stands for Learning, Evaluation, Action & Reflection for New technologies, Empowerment & Rural Sustainability. The process involves a diversity of community members and groups planning and conducting the evaluations and analysing the results with guidance from evaluation professionals. Collaboration and cooperation between community organisations and groups is encouraged to make better use of funding and resources and to develop shared decisions and understanding. Shire councils take up the challenge

 J. Lennie

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The Shire Councils in Tara and Stanthorpe had recently implemented a number of C&IT projects and were very keen to participate in the trial. These projects included the Tara Shire Community website, computer and internet training courses, and ‘GraniteNet’, a virtual community project. The partnership with the QUT research team was developed through meetings, workshops, teleconferences and other forms of communication and interaction with interested community members and the project's industry partners. As well as Shire Council staff, people from community development, education, community service and business organisations and groups have participated in the project in various ways. Women have been key participants in both communities.


 J. Lennie

Significant findings emerging from this research include: • Use of the LEARNERS process was effective in: building community skills, knowledge and confidence in planning and evaluation; increasing communication, collaboration and networking between community members and groups; developing awareness of the opportunities and limitations of C&IT for rural communities; and identifying new ways of using C&IT to enhance communication and overcome distance problems. •

The language used to explain the process needs to be clear and simple to ensure understanding and interest from a wide range of participants. The benefits of using the process also need to be emphasised.

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The LEARNERS process can help community groups develop and maintain a focus, define clearer objectives, and provides a useful and flexible framework for evaluation, planning and needs assessment.

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Obtaining and maintaining participation from a broad range of community members and groups was difficult. Factors include drought, living in a remote location away from project activities, and the time, energy and cost of participation. Other important factors include the lack of effective access to C&IT and training and support in using C&IT.

To be effective, the LEARNERS process requires a dedicated and funded local leader, advanced technical support, and access to mentors with appropriate skills, knowledge and experience. The ideal project leader needs: sufficient time and resources to implement the process effectively; have good networks and networking/communication skills; and have the ability to tailor the process to different community groups and individuals. What might change as a result of this research in this region?

The project has recently developed an online resource kit ‘EvaluateIT’ that simplifies the task of evaluating C&IT projects. Users are led through four steps that help them to plan the evaluation, involve other people, conduct the evaluation, review the results and make the changes that will improve the project. Strategies for enhancing the sustainability of C&IT projects are also being identified. If appropriate and well-resourced project leaders can be obtained, the LEARNERS process could be widely used by other regions and groups such as natural resource management groups. Such groups could begin implementing the outcomes of the project by building the process into their activities, using the EvaluateIT kit.

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Early signs suggest that LEARNERS is an effective program for rural communities


Contact details

Name: Dr June Lennie Address: Creative Industries Research and Applications Centre, Creative Industries Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Q 4059 Phone: (07) 3864 3861 Fax: (07) 3864 3723 Email: [email protected] Website: www.learners.bus.qut.edu.au www.evaluateit.org

Research Sponsors/partners

The other members of the LEARNERS project research team are: Professor Greg Hearn, Chief Investigator Lyn Simpson, Chief Investigator Dr Megan Kimber, Senior Research Assistant Emma Kennedy-da Silva, Research Assistant

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This project is funded by an Australian Research Council Strategic Partnerships with Industry – Research and Training grant and an Assisting Rural Women in Leadership grant from the Office for Women, Queensland Government. Industry partners in the project are; Learning Network Queensland; (formerly) Department of Families, Youth and Community Care; Department of Natural Resources and Mines; Legal Aid Queensland, Office for Women (Queensland), Department of Local Government and Planning (Queensland).

Further Reading Lennie, J. and Hearn, G. (2003a). The potential of PAR and participatory evaluation for increasing the sustainability and success of community development initiatives using new communication technologies. Proceedings, Action Learning, Action Research & Process Management and Participatory Action Research Congress, University of Pretoria, South Africa, 21–24 September, 2003. Available: www.education.up.ac.za/alarpm/PRP_pdf/Lenny&Hearn.PDF Lennie, J. and Hearn, G. (2003b). Designing inclusive communication and participation processes: Interim findings from the trial of a participatory evaluation process involving diverse rural communities and organisations. In Hatcher, C., Flew, T. and Jacobs, J. (Eds.) Proceedings, Australian and New Zealand Communication Association Conference ANZCA03: Designing Communication for Diversity, Brisbane, 9–11 July 2003. Available: www.bgsb.qut.edu.au/conferences/ANZCA03/Proceedings/default.htm

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Natural resource governance and partnership in Central Queensland Stewart Lockie and Susan Rockloff This Coastal CRC funded project is located in the industrial Port Curtis Catchment and agricultural and pastoral Fitzroy Catchment of Central Queensland. The research focuses on aspects of social, economic and estuarine health that influence (or are influenced by) changes in the management or condition of certain natural resources. Specifically, attention is on water quality and estuarine ecosystems. The project is divided into three tasks: Industry– Community Partnerships; Integrated Estuarine Indicator Framework; and Institutionalising Adaptive Management. To enable integration of the three task activities, and the social indicator and assessment outcome with the CRC’s biological and economic research, the project has adopted the Pressure-StateImpact Response (PSIR) model used by other international coastal organisations (see Fig 1). As shown in Fig 1, this model links the project objectives in a logical way and ensures that they contribute to the management of ecological issues.

F ig 1 : C o n c ep tu a l fr a m e w o r k fo r in te g r at io n o f s u b -p ro jec t o b jec t iv es w ith b io p h y s ic a l an d ec o n o m ic r es ea rc h P re ssure: R e s p ons e : O b jec ti v e 4 : f a c i l i ta t e d ev el o p m en t o f N R M g o v er n a n c e p r o c es s e s r esp o n si v e to c h a n g e s i n r es o u r c e c o n d i ti o n , u se & m a n a g e m e n t a s w el l a s c o m m u n i ty h ea l t h & c a p a c i ty .

O b jec ti v e 1 : c l a r i f y ty p e, ma g n i tu d e & ti me f r a m e f o r r es o u r c e u s e p r e s su r e s o n P o r t C u r ti s & F i tz r o y . State: O b jec ti v e 2 : d ev el o p & a p p l y i n d i c a to r s o f ec o l o g i c a l , ec o n o mi c & so c i a l h ea l t h o f P o r t C u r ti s & F i tz r o y r el ev a n t t o w a t er q u a l i ty & mo n i to r i n g .

I m p a ct : O b jec ti v e 3 : d ev el o p & a p p l y to o l s f o r t h e a s s e s s m en t o f so c i a l & c u l tu r a l i m p a c t s o f c ha n g e i n r e so u r c e c o n d i ti o n , u s e & m a n a g e m e n t. E v a l u a t e c a p a c i ty & c a p a c i ty b u i l d i n g n e ed s.

Participation of coastal zone stakeholders

Focus groups have been conducted in the Fitzroy and Port Curtis catchments in order to use available stakeholder information to define an integrated estuarine indicator reporting framework that can be used to set management priorities.

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What factors influence estuarine health and natural resource management in Central Queensland?


Stakeholder consultation is being used to: validate indicators, assess current estuarine status, identify current and future pressures, identify areas of vulnerability, identify values of significance to community, and identify information and reporting needs of stakeholders. Engaging with stakeholders will also promote the adoption of an estuarine reporting framework at local and regional levels. Stakeholders involved in focus groups and interviews include: local and state government, local community, welfare organisations, Indigenous communities, industry, resource users, NRM and conservation groups, and other key informants. The project will address several key questions

Research Projects Enhanced community/industry relations lead to improved coastal management

This project will address the following questions: •

What local and regional indicators of ecological, social and economic health can be integrated into a sustainability indicator framework? What indicators are suitable to benchmark and monitor the (1) health of the coastal zone, and (2) impact of natural resource use change?

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What institutional changes and mechanisms do environmental planners, resource managers and organisations require, to adopt a sustainability indicator framework for planning, monitoring and reporting?

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What are the social and cultural impacts of changes in resource use, management and condition in coastal environments? What is the capacity of coastal communities to respond to changes in natural resources?

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What are the best practice guidelines for existing indigenous natural resource governance and participatory models?

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What are the requirements for strategic alliances between community and industry?

In the longterm, environmental planning processes and governance arrangements are responsive to change in natural resource condition and human welfare. In the shortterm, enhanced community/industry relations lead to improved coastal management and adoption of a framework for integrated condition reporting (social, economic, ecological). Specific outcomes include:

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•

indicator framework for integrated reporting of the social, economic and ecological condition;

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assessment procedures to inform indicator interpretation in other regions;

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strategies to improve industry–community relations for improved coastal management;


Significance of the research

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guidelines and demonstrated processes for improved governance structures and capacity building techniques for indigenous resource management;

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mechanisms to improve environmental planning and governance arrangements that are responsive to changes in natural resource condition and human welfare.

The research will assist in dealing with: (1) the failure to demonstrate any verifiable link between proposed social indicators and natural resource management practice; (2) the current limited focus of impact assessment at the project level and on biophysical aspects — highlighting the need to give attention to strategic, cumulative and social impact assessment; and (3) advances in developing integrated indicator frameworks for estuarine monitoring.

This research will contribute to ‘State of the Environment’ reporting

The main contribution resulting from the project is an integrated indicator framework and validated set of indicators (ecological, social & economic) for State of the Environment reporting, and for regional NRM benchmarking and monitoring in other regions.

Contact details

Name: Assoc Prof Stewart Lockie & Dr Susan Rockloff (formerly Jennings) Address: Centre for Social Science Research, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Q 4072 Phone: (07) 4930 6401 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]:


Coastal Cooperative Research Centre, Central Queensland University.

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The research will draw on an adaptive management framework in a regional process to deliver the appropriate forms of governance, strategic frameworks, and community engagement.

Further Reading Jennings, S. and Lockie, S. (submitted). Democratisation and Capacity Building in Coastal Zone Decision-Making in Australia: The Application of Stakeholder Analysis and Social Mapping. Coastal Management. Jennings, S. and Lockie, S. (in press). Application of Stakeholder Analysis and Social Mapping for Coastal Zone Management in Australia. Journal of Coastal Conservation. Lockie, S. and Jennings, S. (2002). Central Queensland Healthy Waterways Survey. Cooperative Research Centre for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management, Brisbane. Rockloff, S. and Lockie, S. (2004). Strategies for Indigenous Participation in Coastal Resource Management: Redefining Knowledge, Power and Dependency Structures. Paper presented at Coast to Coast 2004, Hobart, Tasmania, 19—24 April 2004.

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Lockie, S. and Jennings, S. (2004). The Social Impacts of Natural Resource Use and Condition: The Invisible Dimension of Coastal Resource Management. In: Pritchard, B. (ed.) Triple Bottom Line Reporting in Australia, Bureau of Rural Studies, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Australia, Canberra.

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Assessing local support for community sustainability Colin Macgregor The motivation behind this research came from three main sources. First, it was becoming increasingly evident that the concept of ‘sustainability’ was so entrenched in government policy and literature that it seemed appropriate to regard it as a ‘social norm’. Second, despite the fact that Local Agenda 21 (a United Nations strategy for sustainable development) emphasises local sustainability initiatives, the developing global economy appears to be forcing communities to look much wider than their local environment for their continued prosperity. Many regard this as paradoxical to the sustainability philosophy. Third, the concept of local support for sustainability-type initiatives has been inadequately researched, particularly in Australia. Northern Australia was regarded as an ideal location for this case study because: it is heavily dependent upon the export of natural resources and associated commodities; there is increasing evidence of emerging environmental problems; and there are some stark contrasts in the economic vitality of many of the towns of the region. The central aim of the research was to: Develop and use an analytical model to determine the extent of community support for sustainability from a sample of small towns from northern Australia and provide advice to local government about achieving community sustainability. The research involved both local residents and local government

The research first explored the literature to develop a three-dimensional, hierarchical model (environment, society and economy) that could be used to determine the level of support for sustainability initiatives (see Fig. 1). Using the model principally involved: •

Six case study towns from northern Australia were identified which could be regarded as being representative of towns in the region. These towns were: Charters Towers, Hughenden and Cloncurry (Qld); Jabiru (NT); Kununurra and Halls Creek (WA).

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Face-to-face interviews with influential members of these communities (e.g. local council members) were conducted and 200 questionnaires to households in each town were distributed.

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Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.

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Achieving sustainable development in remote areas of northern Australia


There is strong support Community attitudes towards maintaining the from all local people to environment were fairly strong and consistent across all ensure environmental towns. This consensus could be regarded as a resource sustainability

that could be utilised for environmental works (e.g. Landcare or catchment management).

VISION HIGHLY INTEGRATED& UNIFIEDCOMMUNITY

•

There are clear socio-economic differences between the European and the Aboriginal populations of the towns. Alcohol misuse and poor housing are significantly impacting on the potential sustainability of remote communities with high Aboriginal populations. Unless these issues are seriously addressed, towns like Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing will continue to display health problems that are similar to those found in developing countries.

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There are clear differences between the Qld towns, on the one hand, and the NT and WA towns on the other. The histories and demographic profiles of the towns appear to have influenced local responses to sustainability, for example, the Queensland towns achieved a significantly higher score for the concept ‘sense of place’.

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Scores for economic constructs were not high in any town but it was the ‘poorest’ towns that demonstrated greater support for sustainability.

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Altruism is usually higher in small, remote communities. It can be associated with income but given other social capital-type indicator scores, it may in fact not be a good indicator of sustainability support unless it takes the form of volunteering.

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The level of knowledge within local governments about progressing community sustainability was low when compared with urban local governments. Importantly, such information is not being delivered effectively to the remote local governments of the region.

COMPLETION COMMITMENT

ACTIVITY LETHARGY UNDERSTANDING

ATTITUDES

ARROGANCE KNOWLEDGE

INFORMATION

IGNORANCE SATISFACTION

BASICNEEDS

DEPRIVATION

DISPARATE &DIFFUSE COMMUNITY

EN VIR ON ME NT

SO CIE TY

ECONOMY

Fig 1. Hierarchical model for assessing and describing sustainability support in small town communities

Research Projects The approach is a useful model for assessing ‘sustainability capital’ within any community

The sustainability model developed in this research could have many applications for analysing and describing sustainability, particularly in small towns, and probably in other circumstances where community support is required. The potential to accurately describe communities in this way is dependent on the indicators chosen. Indicators used here included: environmental empathy, cultural sensitivity, service provision, community involvement, ethnic concerns, sense of security, sense of history, social interaction, institutional networks, sense of place, altruism, community economic support, and, perceived future prosperity.

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Contact details

Name: Dr Colin J. Macgregor Address: School of Geography & Geosciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AL, Scotland UK Phone: +44 (0)1334 462022 Fax: +44 (0)1334 463949 Email: [email protected] www.st-andrews.ac.uk/gg/People/Research/cjm27/ index.shtml


This research would not have been possible without the aid of the School of Tropical Environment Studies, at James Cook University and the financial support of the Tropical Savannas CRC. The assistance of the local governments associated with the towns and the local people, many of whom showed enormous generosity and support are also acknowledged.

Further Reading

Macgregor, C.J. and Cary, J. (2002). Social/Human Capital Rapid Appraisal Model (SCRAM): a method of remotely assessing social and human capacity in Australian rural communities. Rural Society 12(2), 105–122. Macgregor, C.J. (1999). Sustainability Needs a Viable Economy. Savanna Links, 11 (7). Available at:www.savanna.ntu.edu.au/downloads/savlinks11.pdf

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Macgregor, C. J. (2003). Working towards sustainability in small towns: perspectives from northern Australia, International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development 2(4), 342–363.


Rural women in sustainable development Fiona McCartney and Helen Ross Darling Downs women and sustainable development

The idea for this project came from a Darling Downs resident wanting to test the idea that women’s capacity for promoting sustainable development had been overlooked. Women are fundamental to the development of their communities and regions, yet are easily neglected due to gendered stereotypes about their role in farming as well as practical barriers to their greater involvement. The research goals were to: 1. Explore the potential roles of, and constraints on, rural women in stimulating economically, environmentally and socially sustainable development in the financially depressed Darling Downs and elsewhere. 2. Listen to women’s ideas about how they can engage in sustainable development and how they can work with others to do the same.

 P. Czislowski

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3. Consider how Darling Downs landholding women can take a stronger role in the revitalisation of their rural communities. Researchers and local women working in partnership

The study examined ways that women could be involved in activities that would facilitate more sustainable development in their communities. The research involved: •

an informal information day giving women a chance to meet each other and decide upon the nature of the project;

•

face-to-face interviews with 25 farm women as well as interviews with small groups of women;

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interviews with members of community-based organisations and government officers; and

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a workshop to present and discuss initial findings with the participants.

Key Findings: The research provides a window on a rural community, seen through farming women’s eyes

Women on properties already contribute substantially to the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development and, with increased opportunities, could do so more significantly. Women lead complex and busy lives as they combine their domestic, business and community roles. Many women also compensate for shortfalls in government servicing through voluntary action. These multiple roles provide a strong web of connections among community members.

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On the other hand, women’s time and opportunities are constrained as these multiple roles leave little time for them to pursue their own leisure activities, let alone additional commitments. The well-being of rural women may well be compromised due to over-commitment, isolation, lack of support and too few leisure opportunities. Women’s reasons for not participating more at the local level included: lack of time, lack of confidence, tiredness, lack of support, prevailing community and family perceptions about women’s roles, fears about being overutilised or exploited in development activities, the exclusive nature of some organisations and guilt associated with compromising family and business commitments. What might change as a result of this research in this region?

The project will provide state and local government staff with guidance to improve community engagement through greater focus on women and their networks.

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The facilitation of meetings that have a flexible agenda and which women can also use for recreation time, networking, and confidence building and that facilitate connections between women.

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Ensuring that women (town and rural) have ownership of the group, the agenda, events and activities:

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Ensuring that women have access to regular meeting space.

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A number of recommendations were made to the Shire Council relating to the building of social capital among local women. This includes:

Further research

It is important to provide greater opportunities for women in rural decision-making. However, it should be considered whether women’s involvement is sought for social justice reasons, to increase their ‘voice’ or merely to increase voluntary human resources.

Contact details

Names: Fiona McCartney and Helen Ross Address: School of Natural and Rural Systems Management, The University of Queensland, Gatton Q 4343 Phone: (07) 5460 1648 Fax: (07) 5460 1324 Email: [email protected]

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The project was managed through a partnership between the researchers, the originator of the idea (a Darling Downs resident), the Mayor of Pittsworth (the study location), a University of Southern Queensland staff member familiar with the women of Pittsworth and a representative of the sponsor, NR&M.

Further Reading Alston, M. (1990). Feminism and farm women. Australian Social Work 43 (3), 23–27. Beilin, R. (1995), The construction of women in Landcare: does it make a difference? Rural Society 5 (2-3), 20–29. Rickson, S.T. (1997). Outstanding in their field: women in agriculture. Current Sociology 45 (2), 91–133.

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Researching farmers: Who is the expert? Sandy Paton and Janet Grice Where do primary producers source information that is locally relevant and up to date?

 authors

Large-scale organic production in the variable climate and on the easily eroded soils of Central Queensland (CQ), is a recent phenomenon, leaving many producers feeling isolated and uncertain as to the appropriateness of their land management strategies. The community of the Central Highlands (CH), has been actively seeking expertise on innovative agricultural business opportunities. They see a great potential for existing and future growers to expand their investment in the organics industry. As part of this expansion, they see the need for a collective articulation of strategic information needs required for business development. The key goals of this project were to: • Develop a targeted information strategy to support the organics industry in the CH. • Adopt effective facilitation practices to ensure a flexible process that responded to growers’ needs and priorities achieved successful outcomes.

 authors

The study examined the information requirements of the organic producer, the value placed on information provided and the effectiveness of interactive learning.

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Researchers and producers learning ‘What works best’ when it comes to acquiring information

The research involved: •

An initial informal meeting with organic growers to assess their information needs.

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A one-day information workshop delivered by ‘technical experts’. An inclusive approach which welcomed growers outside the organic community, who while not wanting to have organic certification, were keen to improve their agricultural practice.

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A two-day facilitated combination of workshops and field tours developed in response to identified strengths and weakness of the first workshop. This second event was flexible, informal, interactive and focussed on local knowledge and experience.

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Publication of a report that detailed the findings of the research provided relevant information on sound agricultural practice, sources of additional information and a contact list to support grower networking.

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Social Innovations in Natural Resource Management Effectively utilising empirical knowledge is fundamental to sustainable agriculture

The findings from this project exceeded the expectations of the original research proposal which was to simply investigate the information requirements of broadacre organic producers working within the CH area of Queensland. Key Findings:

 authors

The need for truly sustainable long-term land management has seen the emergence of three concurrent approaches to farm chemical usage, all driven by the desire of producers to meet industry best practice, to have minimal environmental impacts, to be economically viable and to be acknowledged by the broader community as effective land managers. These approaches are: 1. Organic methods—traditional approaches without artificial chemicals. 2. Zero-till systems that utilise stubble retention and the strategic use of herbicide. 3. Integrated approaches where producers incorporate the best from both of the above methods. CQ Producers identified that whatever the technique practised, they believed the methodologies were still not adequately underpinned by information and long-term locally relevant research.

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Producers are increasingly seeking more information to support their management decisions but paradoxically there is a great deal of scepticism about any research which is not supported by producer input and extensive on-ground trials. Whilst growers did place some value on advice from ‘outside experts’, information from experienced local growers was deemed highly credible and their ‘practical’ advice much sought after. Industry boundaries did not inhibit peer group learning, if practices were locally appropriate and successful. What might change as a result of this research in this region?

 authors

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This project highlighted the importance that growers placed on local empirical knowledge. Therefore there must be recognition and support for: •

Producer organisations that are informed, proactive and able to think holistically. These environments provide exposure, experience and examples, diversity of perspectives and technical expertise to underpin grower observations and knowledge.

•

Information sharing across various industries and agricultural styles. Recognition that practices may impact upon neighbours has extended the realisation that neighbours may also be a source of knowledge and information even if they are in another industry, for example, adaptation of composting from horticulture to a broadacre farming.

The knowledge gained is transferable

Transferable knowledge from this project includes: ♦ recognition of the importance of local empirical knowledge ♦ the value in creating dialogue between different producer groups ♦ the importance of producer networks for support and dissemination of information ♦ growers’ interest in opportunities and impediments related to particular agricultural practices ♦ recognition that many producers believe that there are gaps in current research.

Contact details

Names: Sandy Paton and Dr Janet Grice Address: Institute for Sustainable Regional Development, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton Q 4702 Phone: (07) 4923 2334 Mobile: 0407 178 587 (Sandy Paton) Fax: (07) 4930 6756 Email: [email protected]


The project was conducted as a partnership between researchers from the Institute for Sustainable Regional Development and Central Queensland organic producers. The Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services provided the project funding.

Further Reading Grice, J. and Paton, S. (2002). Report to Stakeholders Central Highlands Organic Project. Institute for Sustainable Regional Development, CQU: Rockhampton. Paton, S. (2003). The Importance of Sound Facilitation in Organically Growing Groups. The Inaugural Queensland Organic Conference, OPAQ (Organic Producer’s Association Queensland) Conference: Cairns. Paton, S. and Grice, J. (2003). Central Highlands Organic Partnerships Project, Women in Research Conference: Bundaberg. Paton, S. and Norton, J. (2003). Changing Moods Changing Focus. In: Agriculture for the Australian Environment: Proceedings of the 2002 Fenner Conference on the Environment 314–326, Johnstone Centre, Charles Sturt University: Albury.

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