This training will build your skills in the art and science of effective communication for agriculture extension, with a focus on producing research summaries for farmers. The format and content is designed for graduate students, researchers, agrologists and extension specialists working in British Columbia.

What we'll cover

• Research-backed principles of how to engage adult learners
• Tips and tricks to translate research results into information farmers will want to read
• Proven ways to get research results into the hands of farmers
• Option to complete your own research summary and receive feedback from the training team

Format

• Live training sessions on zoom

Dates and times

• Weekly on Thursdays, 9:30-11am Pacific
• Live sessions on November 16, November 23 & December 7
• No session on November 30 to provide time for independent work on a research summary 

Eligibility

Space for this training is limited with priority given to graduate students, researchers, consultants and agrologists working in BC agricultural research or extension. 

Cost

All three sessions are included in the registration price of $40 per participant. Students receive a 50% discount. If cost is a barrier, and you are committed to participating in all sessions, please reach out.

Thursday, November 16, 9:30-11am Pacific

Presenter and facilitator: Steve Roche, Acer Consulting

• Understanding how adults learn best
• Assumptions and key characteristics of farmer audiences 
• Motivators and barriers to behaviour change
• Strategies for delivering effective research summaries

Thursday, November 23, 9:30-11am Pacific

Best practices for written communication, Steve Roche, Acer Consulting

• How to make your message stick
• Strategies for removing jargon, blending plain language and technical detail

Anatomy of a research summary, Melanie Kuxdorf and Juliana Cao, BC Food Web/Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, UBC Farm

• Introduction to the BC Food Web research summary template and research translation practice activity

No class – Thursday, November, 9:30-11am Pacific

• Option to draft your own research summary during the week break
• The BC Food Web team will provide feedback on submitted drafts

Thursday, December 7, 9:30-11am Pacific

• Building a communications plan for your research results (using research-based best practices), Steve Roche, Acer Consulting
• Lessons learned from the field panel, BC agriculture extension guests
• Panel Q & A 

The Seeding Success communications training is co-hosted by the BC Food Web and the BC Agricultural Climate Action Research Network.

Funding for this event has been provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.