WESTERN PRODUCER — Canada’s system of getting the latest and most useful information to farmers is very different from what happens in the United States.
Â鶹´«Ã½AV of the border, there are more than 200 land grant universities across the U.S.
All universities teach students and do research, but land grant universities have a third mission — extension.
“Land-grant institutions ‘extend’ their resources, solving public needs with college or university resources,” says .
North Dakota State University, for example, has extension offices in more than 50 counties and operates seven agricultural research and extension centres across the state.
“NDSU Extension empowers North Dakotans to improve their lives and communities through science-based education,” says the university’s website.
To put it simply, North Dakota State University is the “lead dog” for extending ag research and best practices to farmers in the state.
Canada’s system of sharing knowledge with farmers is more like a team effort, said Tracy Evans, executive director of Saskatchewan Agricultures’ regional services branch.
“It’s a partnership,” said Evans.
“It’s all about collaborations and partnerships because there isn’t one group that has enough resources to do it all.”
In Saskatchewan, the partners include the provincial agriculture ministry, the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources, provincial commodity groups such as SaskPulse, national commodity groups such as the Canola Council of Canada, Agriculture Canada researchers, agricultural colleges and the Prairie smart farm network.
“We work really hard to define what our roles and responsibilities are (for extension) within each group … and piece out what (we’re) best at,” Evans said.
That team effort is directed at one goal — ensuring that farmers and people who advise producers receive the best information on the latest scientific research and innovations.
“The end goal is improved productivity,” Evans said.
“Increase crop and forage and livestock production.”
Extension conference
Canada’s system of collaboration and partnerships is more complex than the U.S. approach, where land grant universities are clearly in charge.
Some ag industry reps have described Canada’s approach as a “mish-mash.”
That’s a polite way of saying it’s messy.
A conference planned for the fall will give extension providers an opportunity to talk about their challenges and share what is working and what isn’t. | File photo/Western Producer
No approach to ag extension is perfect, but there’s always room for improvement. That’s why the University of Guelph is hosting a conference on ag extension this fall.
The 1st International Conference on Canadian Agri-Food & Rural Advisory, Extension and Education (CAREE) will happen Oct. 29-31 in Guelph.
“There is no better time than now to prioritize excellence in our agri-food and rural advisory and extension services,” says the conference website.
“This focus is essential for transforming the agri-food and rural sectors in Canada.”
Evans is one of about 60 people on the committee for the conference program.
She views it as an opportunity for extension providers to talk about their challenges and share what is working and what isn’t.
“There’s always something to be gained from shared learning,” she said.
The website for CAREE, at , poses an interesting question, explaining the need for the conference: “Does Canada possess a truly effective agri-food and rural extension and advisory service?”
The Western Producer will attempt to answer that question in a package of upcoming articles. We’ll also try to answer a more difficult question.
In an age of artificial intelligence, influencers and a barrage of online information, can traditional ag extension cut through the noise and still make a difference?
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