3 minute read
Sustainable Vegetable Systems: connecting with growers
SUSTAINABLE VEGETABLE SYSTEMS:
CONNECTING WITH GROWERS
Words by Gemma Carroll : Potatoes NZ Inc. communications & engagement officer
Plant & Food Research social scientist Toni White
Field trials in Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) are providing data that will better inform more bespoke vegetable-focused modelling and tools.
The SVS Project has a focus on delivering practical outcomes for growers, helping them to navigate nutrient management (particularly nitrogen), social licence to grow and the increasing complexity of environmental regulation.
The project aims to advance vegetable growers’ ability to access and utilise information that supports them in making good nutrient management decisions on their properties.
Vitally however, the team on the SVS project realise that there is more to growing vegetables than what their science alone can tell them. This is where it is important for us to have growers’ input to inform the project about the design of resources that growers can use on their farms to support decision making.
A solution that doesn’t fit the needs of growers would be no solution at all. Therefore, two social scientists from Plant & Food Research, Toni White and Waka Paul, have joined the SVS project to ensure that the tools and resources produced to guide nutrient management are informed by grower perspectives, experience and knowledge, and are practical and fit for purpose.
Toni and Waka will be contacting growers in the next few months to participate in interviews or grower group discussions in the Pukekohe, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu and Canterbury growing regions. They will be exploring growers’ attitudes, values and beliefs around nutrient management, and whether there have been any changes in attitudes and practices. They aim to get an overview of current practices. Also, of the tools growers are currently using to inform decision making on nutrient management, what they like or do not like about these tools, and what they would like to see in any new tool that might become available – both in information content and functionality.
Plant & Food Research social scientist Waka Paul
Originally from the Bay of Plenty, Waka Paul first became involved in horticulture on cherry orchards in Central Otago. After five years of orcharding, moving north, he worked in a tractor driving role for a vegetable growing company based just out of Hamilton. He has recently completed a Masters in Anthropology. His research has focused on New Zealand horticulture and aquaculture. Waka also has experience in acting as a conduit between landowners and Regional Council. He is interested in gaining an understanding of how people see the environment and the reasons behind those perspectives.
Toni White has worked alongside growers and farmers in the social sciences for the last 15 years, seeking to bring together science and producer views, aspirations, and knowledge to enhance and optimise outcomes for producers. Originally from Northland, Toni pursued horticultural qualifications at Massey University before going on to work in small scale greenhouse and field vegetable production, horticultural retail, and kiwifruit systems. Toni’s training in environmental planning and management as well as the social sciences provides a foundation for creating practical outcomes for landholders and producers in partnership with science and industry.
We encourage your participation in these SVS project interviews and grower groups to ensure that the grower voice is heard and that the vegetable sectors progress towards securing a more sustainable future.
An update and overview of Sustainable Vegetable Systems project will be part of the August programme at both the Horticulture Conference in the Vegetables New Zealand session https://conferences.co.nz/ hortnz2021/ and at the 2021 NZ Potato Industry Forums http://potatoesnz2021.nz/.
Registrations now open.
The SVS project team would like to acknowledge all the researchers and growers who contribute to this ongoing industry transformation work and would like to thank the funders: The Ministry for Primary Industries, Potatoes New Zealand, Vegetable Innovation & Research Board, and HortNZ.
