Extension training

Background

The University of Melbourne supported the delivery of carbon farming training and development services for extension providers engaged under the Carbon Farming Futures Extension and Outreach Program.

This training program for extension and outreach professionals in the agricultural sector aimed to enable them to deliver nationally consistent services, and technical, regional- and industry-relevant information to farmers, land managers and their key influencers on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sequestering carbon in the landscape and participating in the Carbon Farming Initiative.

Project outline

The first phase of the project delivered the Carbon Farming Extension Providers Portal, providing access to a collection of tools and information about land-based emissions reduction, carbon sequestration and the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI). At the end of the first phase of the project, this information was moved to a dedicated website (now decommissioned).

The second phase of the project delivered eight webinars and support for two face-to-face training events. Webinar topics and presenters were chosen based on topical issues relevant to extension and outreach in the agricultural sector. These webinars were recorded and are available for viewing from links provided in the detailed table below.

The face-to-face meetings held in Canberra and Sydney brought together a total of over 60 extension and outreach professionals, alongside around 35 other professionals from the agricultural sector. The two-day programs provided an outline of activities underway via the Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund, as well as an update on results and outcomes of the extension and outreach projects.

The University of Melbourne contract to this project completed as of 30 June 2017 in conclusion with the Government’s Extension and Outreach Program.