Re: Privatization of Extension

E. Ann Clark, Associate Professor (ACLARK@crop.uoguelph.ca)
Mon, 25 Sep 1995 11:07:14 EDT

In parallel fashion, I'm increasingly unconvinced about the long-term
merit of research-station research for producers seeking sustainable
approaches to agriculture. Perhaps we can kill two birds with one
stone (politically incorrect, I know) and achieve genuine synthesis
and improvement in both research and extension with the new paradigm
already being explored in some venues in the US and elsewhere?

As for advantaging large producers - fair enough - but the small to
medium guys can go together using the Alan Henning, U of Vermont,
etc. approach of Discussion Groups, which are arguably more
effective in conveying information, stimulating thinking, and solving
problems than either large-scale conferences or one-on-one
consultations. Farm walks and Discussion Groups are the norm in NZ,
and I'm told in the UK too. I've tried to interest producers here in
the notion, but they tend to be fairly close-to-the-chest with their
own management problems and not yet ready to bare-all before a group.
But some day..... Ann

ACLARK@crop.uoguelph.ca
Dr. E. Ann Clark
Associate Professor
Crop Science
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
Phone: 519-824-4120 Ext. 2508
FAX: 519 763-8933