Communications Training for Agricultural Researchers

16th November 2023

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.

Session details

HOW TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH FARMERS

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

TOOLS FOR FARMER-FOCUSED 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

SESSION BREAK FOR INDEPENDENT WORK

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

BEST PRACTICES FOR DISTRIBUTION AND ENGAGEMENT

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

Session hosts

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

Funding acknowledgement

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.