Extension providers around the country are encouraged to register for the upcoming Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN) conference in September in North Queensland.
Bringing together extension providers from Australia and around the world, the conference will encourage them to share experiences and innovations in delivering extension to farmers, to help them improve productivity and profitability.
The theme of the conference is ‘Facilitating balanced change for rural and urban communities’ and will showcase the local and international extension theory and practice around production agriculture, natural resource management, community development and the health sector.
The 2017 International Conference of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network will be held from September 12 to 15 in Townsville. The major event is hosting international delegates from the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), who will be participating in a three-day pre-conference meeting at Ingham, in the Hinchinbrook region.
Manager of Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited (HCPSL) Mr Lawrence Di Bella is convenor of the conference and said that this was a major event for extension providers and an opportunity to showcase the innovations in extension in Australia.
Sessions at the conference include:
• Using social media in extension.
• Engaging with farmers.
• Managing limited resources.
• Integrating Research and Extension.
• Extension policy development.
• The global village - effective project management and dealing with gender, health and nutrition issues.
• Field trips around the Hinchinbrook, Burdekin, Charters Towers and Townsville areas for delegates to view first hand activities being undertaken on the ground.
“Like all industries, agriculture is changing rapidly with innovations and technology changing the way we farm and bringing opportunities for us to be more profitable, productive and sustainable,” Mr Di Bella said.
“At the heart of that is ensuring that the right information is delivered to growers in a way that truly helps them and delivers to their needs. This conference is a chance for providers across different industries, and countries, to discuss these issues at this conference.
“This conference is located at a centre of innovation in Queensland agriculture, among our sugarcane, horticulture, and grazing sectors.
“We encourage people to register online at www.apen.org.au/announcements/2017-gfras-apen-international-conference.”