Evaluation report
Climate Ready Farming Leaders Cradle Coast NRM Farm Ready Industry Grants
Revised report from original written by: Sophie Folder – Pear Consulting April 2012
This project was presented by the Cradle Coast Authority with the support of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry under the FarmReady initiative, part of Australia’s Farming Future. Project delivered by:
Table of contents Executive summary ............................................................................................................ 2 Project context .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Results chart ................................................................................................................................................ 5 Outcomes and recommendations......................................................................................................... 6 Participant Questionnaire results ............................................................................................................. 8
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Executive summary Project background Climate Ready Farming Leaders was a three year project delivered by Cradle Coast NRM in partnership with Serve-Ag and RM Consulting Group. The project was made possible with the support of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry under the FarmReady initiative, part of Australia’s Farming Future. The project worked with 2 pilot groups of young farmers in the Cradle Coast NRM region to develop their capacity to adapt to climate change through targeted training and action oriented learning.
Key outcomes An increase in farmers’ knowledge and understanding of climate change, how it may affect their business and how to get positive outcomes from managing change An increase in farmer knowledge on topics covered by the project and an ability to apply these lessons to their business Practice change achieved through adoption of information learnt on farm and use in future planning for the farm business An increase in farmers’ awareness of issues relating to climate change and where they may get ongoing information and support for adopting actions to ‘ready themselves for future climate change’ Improved ability of farmers to understand and use information about climate change and how it may affect policies and farming in the future
Key findings and recommendations Findings: That group workshops and training are an effective way of increasing knowledge on climate change That information learnt from group workshops/ training will be applied on farm and changes made to current / future management practices. Information learnt will be used in combination with other sources to make complex farm decisions That training workshops and on ground activities in relation to climate change impacts were effective A strategic plan is developed at a business level for many reasons (eg. Succession, expansion). Climate change was not seen as a basis for strategic planning by the farmers. Farmers generally see strategic plans, if done for their business, as a confidential matter and most prefer to involve their regular business consultants in this activity rather than a project team Recommendations for future projects: An action learning / participatory approach is successful for working with farmer groups on climate change Group facilitation models increase networking amongst farmers which is a major draw card for farmer involvement in projects In field sessions and bus trips were preferred by farmers than formal presentations On ground activities were an effective way of engaging farmers in project content Flexibility is important in project format
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Participant contribution to a project (fee) can be used to fund activities in addition to project funds, although this does not always lead to greater commitment to a project Relevance of project topics and activities to the farmers is an important factor for determining farmer commitment to a group/ project (locally relevant content) Content and delivery methods have to be appropriate to the previous knowledge and capacity of participants A self directive format useful to ensure that project content is relevant to participants
Project context Project summary Climate Ready Farming Leaders was a three year project delivered by Cradle Coast NRM in partnership with Serve-Ag and RM Consulting Group utilising extensive training for climate readiness, delivered by an experienced team of consultants. The project worked with two pilot groups of young farmers in the Cradle Coast NRM region (Sassafras and Forth / Ulverstone regions) to develop their capacity to adapt to climate change through targeted training and action oriented learning. Apart from developing the technical skills required for “climate readiness’, a major goal was to enable participants to weigh the economic, social and environmental aspects in the decision-making when implementing new practices. The project worked to assist farmers to understand the potential impacts and opportunities of climate change to their farm business, and to evaluate management options that will increase their ability to adapt to these changes. A range of practical activities were used to achieve this, including regular farmer group meetings, training workshops, information sharing, travel and local on-farm trials and monitoring. The target outcomes were; To increase farmers’ understanding of the impacts of climate change and relevance to their farming business and industries. As a result of the increased understanding, each participating farmer has commenced changing business/operational plans and practices to make their business more resilient Understanding of effects of climate change and variability on current practices. Farmers will have a strategic plan, which can be incorporated in their farm planning that focuses on ‘climate change’. The project had funding for activities to run from 1 July 2009 until 30 March 2012.
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Achievements The project achieved the following outputs; 18 Farmers were engaged in the project consisting of 2 farmer groups (Sassafras and Forth / Ulverstone) three planning meetings were held to prioritise farmer derived project topics and three project action plans were developed to address these topics 19 Training activities were held addressing the following topics; o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Soil health New technology and cropping opportunities (bus trip – North East) Adapting business to change Supply chains and marketing Soil carbon and carbon trading Climate change impacts for Tasmania 2025 scenario simulation – what will my farm look like? Decision making and risk management Renewable energy and new technology (bus trip – Circular Head) Changing pest and weeds Greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture Energy use New opportunities (trip to Melbourne Market) Climate adaptive capacity Tales of innovation Developing adaptive businesses (bus trip – North) New farming ventures – what makes them succeed or fail Farm biosecurity Financial planning and management
Four on ground trial and monitoring activities were conducted including; o o o o
TwinN Trial Organic Amendments Trial Green Manure Trial Soil Health Assessments Monitoring
Throughout the project: ongoing supply of written and electronic information on all topics covered additional relevant information and training or information events via handouts / mail outs and e-mails Plans and tools for future use
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o
‘Carbon Stories’ individual farm carbon (equivalent) emission calculations and farm plans (co-funded by CCNRM from separate funds)
o
‘Talking business’ several case studies on business expansion with farmers from both groups; these included detailed decision making and budgeting information including an excel based budgeting tool (Case study Fact sheets and the calculator are available on the AusVeg website - cofounded by Horticulture Australia Limited through the VIDP’s Innoveg project)
o
All vegetable grows in the groups signed up to the EnviroVeg program which provides environmental management information, training opportunities and a self assessment tool to monitor continuous improvement (the program is run by AusVeg)
o
Farm biosecurity action plans and information folders were developed for 12 farms
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Results chart Expected results (project target outcomes)
To increase farmers’ understanding of the impacts of climate change and relevance to their farming business and industries. As a result of the increased understanding, each participating farmer has commenced changing business/operational plans and practices to make their business more resilient Understanding of effects of climate change and variability on current practices.
Farmers will have a strategic plan, which can be incorporated in their farm planning that focuses on ‘climate change’.
April 2012
Summary of actual results
Lessons learned
Achieved –Evaluation results showed that the project had improved knowledge on climate change for 80% of participants who answered the questionnaire (year 1), and 100% (years 2 & 3). In year three, 78% of participants (who answered the questionnaire) rated their increase of knowledge of climate change as 4 out of 5, a further 11% rated it 5 (greatly) and 11% rated it 2 out of 5.
That group workshops and training are an effective way of increasing knowledge on climate change
Achieved –At the end of year three the 65% of participants who answered the evaluation questionnaire, indicated they had (56%) or intend to (44%) apply information learnt on farm. Farmer interviews supported practice change as a result of the project. Decision-making on farms is complex; we expect therefore that participants made and will make changes based on a combination of what they have learned from this project and other influencing factors without attributing these changes to the project in their own mind. Achieved – When asked what they had learnt, participants indicated (in the participant questionnaire) that they had learnt information relating to climate change impacts in years 1, 2 & 3 of the project. Farmer interviews supported review of current practices undertaken by farmers.
Not achieved – Participating farmers decided they did not want to develop a strategic plan as part of the project. They opted instead to develop an on-farm biosecurity plan for their farming business. Participants did identify actions that they had or intend to implement to ready themselves for climate change. Most participants (vegetable growers) also signed up to the EnviroVeg project, which will provide ongoing planning and management support with a focus on sustainable farming, including mitigating climate change. Workshops included financial planning and decision-making which participants will use.
That information learnt from group workshops/ training will be applied on farm and changes made to current and future farm management practices. Information from the project will be used in combination with other sources to make complex decisions on farm. That training workshops and on ground activities in relation to climate change impacts were effective. A strategic plan is developed at a business level for many reasons (eg. Succession, expansion). Climate change was not seen as a basis for strategic plans. Farmers will make changes as relevant. Farmers generally see strategic plans, if done for their business, as a confidential matter and most prefer to involve their regular business consultants in this activity rather than a project team.
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Outcomes and Recommendations Outcomes of the project The project resulted in the following outcomes; An increase in farmers’ knowledge and understanding of climate change, how it may affect their business and how to get positive outcomes from managing change An increase in farmer knowledge on topics covered by the project and an ability to apply these lessons to their business Practice change achieved through adoption of information learnt on farm and use in future planning for the farm business An increase in farmers’ awareness of issues relating to climate change and where they may get ongoing information and support for adopting actions to ‘ready themselves for future climate change’ Improved ability of farmers to understand and use information about climate change and how it may affect policies and farming in the future Recommendations for future projects The use of an action learning and participatory approach is successful when working with farmer groups Group facilitation models increase networking amongst farmers which is a major draw card for farmer involvement in projects In field sessions and bus trips were preferred by farmers than formal presentations On ground activities were an effective way of engaging farmers in project content, appropriate resourcing needs to be allocated to such activities as they can be labour intensive Flexibility is important in project format eg. participants did not wish to undertake a strategic plan for their business with the project team in year three Participant contribution to a project (fee) can be used to fund activities in addition to project funds, although this does not always lead to greater commitment to a project Relevance of project topics and activities to the farmers is an important factor for determining farmer commitment to a group/ project (locally relevant content), Content and delivery methods have to be appropriate to the previous knowledge and capacity of participants i.e. if some participants already have gone down a path of development and change, and others have not, they should be split into separate groups, otherwise the more advanced group members are not challenged, and participants needing more basic support and incentives feel overwhelmed; this will affect participation rates from both groups (advanced and ‘basic’ learners). The self directive format of the project was sometimes questioned by participants, although it is a useful way to ensure that project content is relevant to the group and participant needs
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Suggestions for improvement Use of social media and or blogs could be an alternative method or extending project information A wider industry field day could have been useful to engage higher numbers of participants and to share lessons learnt from the project More one on one engagement with the project team may lead to greater engagement of farmer participants although is a more expensive model to group facilitation Use of multiple meetings with smaller groups run at several different time slots to increase participation, although reduces the group/social aspect which was key to the project and increases cost of the project Where possible plan project activities to avoid busy periods on the farm e.g. sowing or harvest, but also accept that in mixed farming enterprises it is not always possible to suit everyone Assess training/learning needs, capacity and interests of potential participants and group them accordingly rather than grouping regionally; regional grouping may also not be the best way if farmers within a region see each other as competitors or do not want to share information about their business for other reasons; the social background should be explored before forming groups and considered together with capacity and information needs.
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Participant Questionnaire Results The following data has been derived from participant questionnaires which were completed by participants at the completion of year 1, year 2 and year 3. Percentages shown in the graphs and tables are calculated as percentages of participants who answered the questionnaire (response rate) for that year. Response rates for the questionnaires were 59% year 1, 62% year 2 and 64% year 3.
Table 1: Participant knowledge on climate change - comments themes & examples Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Improved understanding & knowledge (6) e.g. Understanding of soil conditions to correspond with climate change Usually you find out later, that you learnt more than you thought I already had some knowledge and the project has extended some parts of that knowledge
Improved knowledge (2) Good subjects to improve our insights Really given me a better idea of the farming business and issues involved Climate change funding (1) I'm still unsure if the massive effort regarding climate change initiatives will prove fruitful Need more on climate change impacts (1) Climate change aspects and their relation to Tasmanian agriculture could be reviewed and summarised before the end of the project
Understanding of climate change impacts (5) e.g. Gave me a better understanding on how it will affect my region and the areas around it Interesting to know the links between climate change and agriculture, particularly with carbon tax starting and outlook on changes in weather and climate
Just being a bit more aware and not just thinking it’s all doom and gloom and having a bit more knowledge about what to expect
Climate change funding (1) I have learnt that a lot of resources are being directed into learning about climate change Need more on climate change impacts x 1 I would still like to learn more about its impact on us as farmers - temp rainfall.
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Made me realise that climate change is only going to mean a small change in some areas but have a big effect in others How it will change and how we have to be adaptive and prepared to look outside the square Improved knowledge (2) e.g. Shed light on things you normally sort of overlook Climate change cause (1) If looked at the evolution and climate changes along the billions of years I don't completely believe it's all man's doing
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Figure 1 – Has the project improved the participant’s knowledge on climate change? 100% 90% 80%
% of responces
70% 60%
No
50% 89%
40%
Yes
30% 20% 10%
Partially
57% 43%
40%40%
10%
0%
0% 11%
0% Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Table 2: What have participants found beneficial – comments themes & examples Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Networking (4) e.g. The farmer/researcher networks I’ve made The chance to meet and discuss issues with other like minded farmers The most beneficial thing I think has been being able to talk with other farmers about the issue we all are facing in our industry. Climate change seems to be a big one Bus Trip (2) Unfortunately I missed the marketing one, but the info about irrigation optimising and the rhubarb farm was good The bus trip to north east - to see how they do it Topics covered(2) Understanding of marketing - CTF, soils etc The importance of carbon in your soil Guest speakers (1) The guest speakers have been varied and interesting
Improved understanding & knowledge (2) Have gained a wider variety of knowledge Being able to understand grower issues and farming business when talking to growers Speakers and field trips (2) Visiting Melbourne markets The speakers and field trips have been very good Topics covered (1) Energy aurora, climate change, renewable energy are the things that still hang there! Networking (1) The networking between like-minded individuals
Networking (3) e.g. The networks created and the knowledge gained Interacting with a group of open and like minded people Topics covered (3) Alternative energy sources Learning about our markets and meeting them otherwise we are just wasting our time Group interaction, access to various farms and facilities to have a look, coverage of soil health, carbon and financial topics and issues Improved knowledge & understanding (3) e.g. Greater understanding of farm business and being made aware of what is out there to take advantage of - funding, technology, ideas, support Getting to know lots of things you don't normally hear or see and learn about Interest in Climate Change (1) Seeing the interest shown in climate change
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Figure 2: Increase in participant’s knowledge overall from topics covered throughout the project (year 3) 1% 1%
21%
19%
1 = needs improvement
2 3 = reasonable 4 5 = excellent
58%
Table 3: Increase in Participants knowledge for project topics - year 3 (% of responses) (Blue = <25%, Orange = 26-50%, Yellow= 51-75%, Green = 76-100%)
11%
Score 3 Moderately -
78%
5 Greatly 11%
11%
11%
44%
11%
22%
Soil carbon
-
-
33%
56%
11%
Soil health
-
-
33%
22%
44%
Irrigation management
-
-
33%
56%
11%
Dealing with change
-
-
11%
89%
-
Marketing & supply chains Sustainable farm management practices Decision making
-
-
-
44%
56%
-
-
-
67%
33%
-
-
-
78%
22%
Risk management
-
-
-
100%
New technology
-
-
-
56%
44%
Business models
-
-
56%
22%
22%
Renewable energy Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture Energy use efficiency
-
-
-
78%
22%
-
-
22%
67%
11%
-
-
11%
78%
11%
Assessing new opportunities Innovating & developing new businesses Identifying new markets
-
-
33%
33%
33%
-
-
44%
44%
11%
-
-
33%
56%
11%
Biosecurity
-
-
-
78%
22%
Topic Climate change
1 Not at all -
Carbon trading
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4
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Table 4: What participants have learnt â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Themes and example comments Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Variable rate irrigation (6) e.g. We did not know about the mapping for water use Variable rate irrigation Irrigation management - the soil mapping for water usage Marketing (5) e.g. Better understanding of markets and marketing Picking and storing the value things for me! And let go of the rest Marketing and supply chains Other (4) e.g. We find that we are on the right track Most people have the same understanding of the topic as me The participants in the group are far ahead of those not included in that they have already accepted there might be better ways of growing crops/beef/dairy cows. Climate change (3) People are generally concerned about a changing climate and what consequences it may have for them Effects of climate change on NW Tas Better understanding of what to expect about climate change Soil Health (2) The impact of compacting damage Previous messages are not filtering through quickly in relation to soil health. People are reserved about changing soil management Carbon (2) Soil carbon - the way carbon is held in the soil Carbon trading - the way in which it will effect us
Marketing (5) e.g. Methods of developing a niche product and marketing it effectively Identifying a gap in the market and taking advantage of it (rhubarb farm) Trip to Melbourne and marketing talk Decision making (4) Primary producers will soon need to decide whether or not to remain in their current capacity Different aspects of decision making and how to efficiently manage decision making Decision making workshop was good, made me think how I make decisions Decision making workshop & succession planning Climate Change Impacts (3) e.g. How the climate will change on NW Changes in plant growth and new weed pressure , Other (2) Be able to listen better How much more we need to know Soil Health (1) Energy (1) Networking (1) Networking opens links to new knowledge Technology (1) Technology is changing at a rapid rate
Soil Health (6) e.g. Soil health will determine business success in terms of crop quality Soil health must be improved to meet future demands Importance of soil health on yield and quality Climate Change Impacts (4) e.g. being aware of warmer weather changes and patterns resulting in increasing disease and pest pressure Climate not going to change much Business management & Decision making (4) e.g. Business aspects (ie. Financial) must be understood in order to make informed decisions Learning to identify and resolve the current and future challenges in the industry Very important to work on business - be dynamic and prepared to seek out further info and opportunities Renewable energy (3) e.g. Different ways to generate electricity and pros and cons Carbon Footprint (2) e.g. Importance of reducing your carbon footprint into the future Other (2) Knowledge is over ruled by dollars positive and negative Don't do what others do New technology (2) e.g. new technology to make us more efficient Marketing (3) e.g. Key components of marketing produce in order to find the best market and best returns Carbon trading (1) Understanding of carbon trading
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Figure 3: Have participants applied information learnt on farm? 80% 70%
% of responses
60% 50%
No 40%
Yes
71% 30%
63%
56% 44%
20%
10%
25% 13%
14%
14%
I will do
0%
0% Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Table 5: How information has been applied on farm by participants â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Themes and comments Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Soil Health Management (4) Info about biofumigants Starting with controlled trafficking Cover crops and compacting but I already done that for years, but Rebecca made it very visual!! Better soil health practices in coming season and irrigation management
Soil Health Management (3) Cover crops & biofumigation which was a disappointment by the way! Maintaining soil health, monitoring production and business efficiency Soil health management practices are gradually becoming more sustainable. Seeking harder to identify and try new opportunities Climate Change (1) Just an awareness of climate change and farming that can come up in conversation with my growers
Soil Health Management (3) Soil health, keeping good bugs and insects around Greater understanding/ consideration of soil health Soil improvers, use help instead of just fertilise, grow the best green manure as in the outcomes of the trials Business management (1) Looking in to the financial and management side of the business Improved equipment (1) As we improve equipment and change our practices we will start to apply things Variable Rate irrigation (1) Variable rate irrigation is something that will work in some of our farm areas Energy efficiency (1) Fuel saving on pastures - get cattle to tread seed in whilst grazing
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Table 6: Actions participants have done to ready themselves for future climate change â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Themes & comments Year 3 Soil Health Management (4) e.g. Applied soil amendments Maintained soil cover (ie. Growing plants) Increasing pasture green manure usage and using minimum till where possible Improve Energy Efficiency (3) e.g. Spending $ to improve irrigation and electricity efficiencies Reducing carbon footprint eg. Fuel & electricity Planning in response to predicted climate change impacts (3) Make sure water drains are up to date to cover for excess water Establishing better pastures eg. Deeper rooting response to rain Building future strategy plans eg. Solar, shelter belts - shade & wind Seek information (2) e.g. More aware of information out there and how to use it Renewable Energy (2) e.g. Look into different ways to generate our own energy and best way to do that in the future Alternative crop nutrition options (2) e.g. Finding other nutrition options other than urea/potash etc foliar nutrients Business management (2) e.g. Working on the business not in the business Pest Management plans & biosecurity (2) e.g. Monitor for pests that may not yet be on site Continue as is (2) e.g. Reinforced that what we are doing on our farm is right Diversification (1) Tried to diversify more crop wise and marketing wise
Figure 4: Did the project meet the participant expectations? 100% 90% 80%
% of responses
70% 60%
No
50% 89%
40%
75%
30%
Yes
60%
20% 10%
Partially
40% 25%
0%
0%
0% 11%
0% Year 1
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Year 2
Year 3
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Table 7: Comments relating to participant expectations of the project Year 1
Year 2
Information (4) e.g. Interesting different subjects keeps it very alive!! I didn't have too many expectations was just wanting to know more about how climate change will affect us in the future and that has been met Attendance (2) e.g. Timing with meetings do not always correspond with work load on farm Field visits (1) We have had a good variety of places to visit farms, harvest moon, research station
Information & topics (3) e.g. I think the topics at the planning meeting have been covered really well Learning (1) Always learn something, Networking (1) a good way to meet people also! Attendance (1) The attendance and quality of conversation determines the value of the meeting Other (1) Mostly getting better as we go
Year 3 Information & topics (4) e.g. We could have touched more subjects still I think Excellent range of topics covered over the three years. Organisation and follow ups on each topic very good Knowledge & understanding(3) e.g. Went into group fairly open minded and gained some valuable knowledge Found it fantastic way of gaining understanding of running farming business which helped greatly in my job as a field officer Relevant (1) It was well thought out & executed project that was highly relevant to all participants
Figure 5: Did the project activities meet the participant needs? (year 3) 0% 11%
No Partially Yes
89%
Table 8: Comments relating to participant input into the project Year 3 Facilitators were very approachable It was an opportunity to learn about farming and what issues are facing the owners of farm businesses in an ever changing climatic - environmentally and economically I think I took more out then have put in
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Figure 6: Participant rating of their input into the project (year 3)
1 = needs improvement 2
33%
3 = reasonable 4
56% 5 = excellent
Table 9: Participant comments on suggested project improvements Year 1 None (1) I think the project seems to be running really well all topics are being covered really well
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Year 2
Year 3
Improved attendance (three) e.g. Encourage more attendance (difficult I know!) Avoid Monday and Friday meetings as they often clash with most farm operations Find a way of getting more growers involved. There are so many people that would benefit from the exposure to more info and business info Extend (1) By keeping it going after year three!! Other topics (1) Help me develop my business and move to chicken production for manure input into spuds and growing own grain to feed chooks None (1)
None (4) e.g. Was quite satisfied Improved attendance (2) Perhaps slightly larger group and age range? Find a way to get greater commitment from other growers as it gives an opportunity to greatly advance your business and ways to move forward Other topics (2) Could have done some research beyond traditional farming Weed control methods without herbicide
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Table 10: Participant comments on other topics they would like to learn more about Year 2
Year 3
Diversification (3) e.g. Find out what crops outside the traditional range we can grow for Melbourne markets = find us the hole in the market Organics (2) e.g. Going organic what are my changes? Business management (1) Other local Tasmanian business success. Strategies of those not associated with agriculture Carbon footprint (1) Carbon footprint of own property Technology (1) Precision farming, equipment available, weeding Trial ideas (3) Any green manure that sweetens the ground if possible Soil cultivation (how, when, why) Environmental monitoring with regard to chemical runoff (pesticides & fertiliser) & drift
New opportunities & marketing (3) e.g. Maybe hear if there are new vegetables that are maybe not yet known but able to be grown and sold as markets are overflowed Organics (1) Organic farming - how/inputs Efficiency (1) Decreasing input costs (fuel, fert etc) Soil Biology (1) Learn more about soil biology None (1) None, the topics presented were great
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