Grower Groups to Bloom at Forum
July 28, 2009
WA grower groups and their industry partners are invited to be challenged and inspired at this year’s Grower Group Alliance (GGA) Annual Forum.
Attendees at the forum, August 14, will explore research by Peter Carberry of CSIRO, Toowoomba, into the prospects and pathways for productivity increases in Australian agriculture, drawing from his long history of involvement with grower groups, particularly the participation of farmer groups in scientific research.
Nigel McGuckian will present his research into the into the social impact of mixed farming and farmers’ decision-making process, while Department of Agriculture and Food Acting Director General, Malcolm Goff, and GRDC Executive Manager, Practices, Steve Thomas, round out the agenda, looking at the direction of agricultural research and involvement of grower groups.
GGA project leader Susan Hall said this year’s event has a compact agenda set to motivate, stir-up ideas and expand networks between grower groups, researchers, agribusiness and NRM professionals.
“The goal is to bring together the 45 grower groups and related industry partners to meet and develop relationships to work together in the future,” she said.
“Grower groups coming from as far north as Binnu, east as Bodallin and south east as Esperance can gain fresh ideas by talking to other groups and see what other groups are doing in terms of current and proposed research and activities.”
Ms Hall said successful collaborations were formed at past forums and believes this forum will be equally successful.
Interactive sessions will focus on how grower groups can improve links with agribusiness and explore the future direction of the Grower Group Alliance.
“With the GGA project almost at the end of its three years of GRDC funding, we thought it would be valuable to have a facilitated session to determine the project’s future direction,” Ms Hall said.
A half-day training workshop for grower group representatives, facilitated by Nigel McGuckian, will precede the forum with an aim to improve group decision-making skills and reflect on group progress and purpose.
Previous forums have focused on gaining and maintaining group sponsorship and motivation, forming partnerships between groups and exploring pressing issues facing groups and the industry. Last year’s forum was attended by 75 grower group and industry members.
The GGA is a non-profit, farmer driven organisation based at the University of Western Australia and funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
For more information, contact Susan Hall on 6488 7937 or sahall@fnas.uwa.edu.au.
