Network-smart extension could catalyze social learning

Matthew Hofman, Mark Lubell, Vicken Hillis, Matthew Hoffman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Social learning, learning from others, has value in extending knowledge about farm management through networks of growers. Exactly how much value depends on the structure of the networks. We employed social network analysis to study knowledge networks and social learning in three American Viticulture Areas in California: Central Coast, Lodi and Napa Valley. In a survey, growers confirmed that experiential and social learning are more useful for accessing information about farm management than formal learning. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension (UCCE) was found to be well positioned to access and spread knowledge through the grower networks but a bottleneck exists - many knowledge-sharing relationships and relatively few staff. We also found that grower participation in traditional outreach activities, e.g., meetings and demonstrations, is a strong predictor of their number of knowledgesharing relationships, so UCCE and other agricultural support organizations have an important role to play in strengthening networks. Several network-smart extension strategies might help alleviate the bottleneck and rewire networks to more efficiently connect those with questions to those with solutions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)113-122
Number of pages10
JournalCalifornia Agriculture
Volume69
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2015

Keywords

  • sustainable agriculture
  • viticulture

EGS Disciplines

  • Viticulture and Oenology
  • Agricultural Science
  • Environmental Studies

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