Upcoming Events
Extension and Adoption Training Program 2025
The South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub) invites you to take part in our Extension & Adoption Training Program, a five-part professional development series designed to strengthen your skills in agricultural extension and adoption practices.
This program is perfect for grower group staff, industry consultants, and extension or research professionals looking to enhance their ability to support farmer adoption of new practices.
Approximately 18 hours of content will be delivered through the program.
Participation is flexible: register for some or all dates.
Dates: 8 May | 9 May | 15 May | 21 May | 28 May
Location: modules 1 and 2 (8 – 9 May) are in person at the Pagoda Resort & Spa, 112 Melville Pde Como, WA 6152. All other modules are online.
Learning objectives
While this five-part program is designed as continuing professional development for those who have some experience in adoption and extension and are ready to take their skills to a higher level, newcomers are also welcome and will benefit from taking part.
Learning objectives include:
- Understand modern approaches to extension and adoption,
- Identify and document your project context including Research, Development, Extension and Adoption (RDE&A) outcomes and priorities,
- Develop the business case for any RDE&A work your group wants to undertake,
- Clarify target audiences’ desired levels of change,
- Understand the steps in developing an extension plan to achieve desired level change,
- Develop an extension plan for your program,
- Develop an event plan for a field day or workshop,
- Have a basic understanding of facilitation techniques used in an agricultural context,
- Understand the basic steps in monitoring and evaluation.
Dates and delivery
Where content is considered essential it is marked ***Recommended essential
Thursday 8 May, 12 pm – 5 pm (5 hours) | In person at Pagoda Resort & Spa, Como
Better define priorities, then flesh them out for funding proposals or for research, development or extension work. Will work with Group Map as a training tool.
Sundowner and fellowship to finish the day.
Facilitators: Alison Lacey, Theo Nabben, Cassie Howell
For this in-person module, please register by Friday 2 May.
Friday 9 May, 9 am – 3 pm (6 hours) | In person at Pagoda Resort & Spa, Como
Plan a suite of extension activities – Introduction to extension and adoption planning for change, target audiences, plan activities.
Facilitators: Theo Nabben, Alison Lacey, Cassie Howell ***Recommended essential
For this in-person module, please register by Friday 2 May.
Thursday 15 May, 9 am – 11:30 am (2.5 hours) | Online
Getting the most out of guest presenters and subject matter experts, running events that the audience wants.
Facilitators: Alison Lacey, Cassie Howell ***Recommended essential
Wednesday 21 May, 9 am – 11:30 am (2.5 hours) | Online
Defining evaluation questions, developing a monitoring and evaluation plan, choosing methods, management evaluation.
Facilitators: Theo Nabben, Cassie Howell
Wednesday 28 May, 9 am – 11:30 am (2.5 hours) | Online
Aimed at new staff – how to facilitate meetings and group discussions, techniques for engaging stakeholders.
Facilitators: Theo Nabben, Alison Lacey, Cassie Howell ***Recommended essential
Benefits of the Extension & Adoption program
The benefits of doing this program will be immediate but can last a lifetime:
- Gain clarity around the technical delivery process,
- Develop confidence and professional skills to enhance relevance of your group to stakeholders,
- Define your organisation’s extension and adoption (E&A) vision and goals,
- Learn how to identify where delivery format needs adjustment for impact,
- Build a professional community of practice with colleagues throughout the WA agricultural industry,
- Improve your group’s ability to have local impact with adoption of improved practice.
Format and features
Delivery – Due to the geographical spread of stakeholders, delivery will be in a blended learning format with two workshops in person and three online using MS Teams.
Handouts – A useful collection of handouts will be curated.
Peer-to-peer learning – Enjoy an interactive process and benefit from other experienced agriculture industry professionals with similar challenges.
Interactive Q&A format – The sessions will be interactive with the instructor fielding questions as they arise.
Places and pricing
For the in-person sessions, there is space for 30 delegates and places will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
For the in-person modules (8 – 9 May), registrations will close on Friday 2 May.
Hub Consortium Partners and GGA network members have access to subsidised tickets with a ticketing fee of $40 per online session and $75 for the face-to-face sessions (plus GST and ticketing fee).
All other industry delegates are welcome with a ticketing fee of $80 per online session and $160 for the face-to-face sessions (plus GST and ticketing fee).
A wait list will run.
Accommodation
Special discount accommodation rate for delegates at the Pagoda Resort and Spa.
The special accommodation rate is $185 per person for a Superior Room and includes buffet breakfast for one guest, and high speed wifi.
Promo code: Please email cassandra.howell@gga.org.au to receive the discount code.
Enquiries
Direct any enquiries about participation in the event to Cassie Howell (0429 659 219, cassandra.howell@gga.org.au) or Theo Nabben (0403196381, theo.nabben@gga.org.au).
Facilitators
Extension and Adoption Training Program 2025
Join the SW WA Hub’s five-part program providing technical training on adoption and extension practices for the agricultural industry.
Dates: 8 to 28 May 2025
Location: two modules in person (Perth) and three modules online
The South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub) will deliver a five-part technical content training program on extension and adoption involving two face-to-face workshops and three online workshops.
Content will suit grower group staff, industry consultants or new extension/research staff that extend research to support farmer adoption.
Approximately 16 hours of content will be delivered through the program.
Participation is flexible: register for some or all dates.
Wednesday 10 April, 12 – 5 pm (5 hours) | In person at Pagoda Resort & Spa, Como
Better define priorities, then flesh them out for funding proposals or for research, development or extension work. Will work with group map as a training tool.
Sundowner and fellowship to finish the day.
Facilitators: Julianne Hill with Alison Lacey
Thursday 11 April, 9 am – 3 pm (6 hours) | In person at Pagoda Resort & Spa, Como
Plan a suite of extension activities – planning for change, target audiences, plan activities, team capacity, evaluation, risk management, etc.
Facilitators: Theo Nabben, Alison Lacey
Wednesday 17 April, 9 – 11 am (2 hours) | Online
Getting the most out of guest presenters and subject matter experts, running events that the audience wants.
Facilitators: Alison Lacey, Julianne Hill
Wednesday 1 May, 9 – 11 am (2 hours) | Online
Defining evaluation questions, develop M & E plan, choose methods, management evaluation.
Facilitators: Theo Nabben, Julianne Hill
Wednesday 8 May, 9 – 11 am (2 hours) | Online
Aimed at new staff – how to facilitate managing meetings, format and processes in member/stakeholder engagement.
Facilitators: Julianne Hill, Alison Lacey, Theo Nabben
Wednesday 15 May, 9 – 11 am (2 hours) | Online
Group session focused on discussing and evaluating individual participants’ case-by-case challenges on E&A programs they may be currently delivering or have in the pipeline.
Facilitators: Julianne Hill, Theo Nabben, Alison Lacey
Places and Pricing
For the in-person sessions, there is space for 30 delegates and places will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Hub Consortium Partners and GGA network members have a subsidised ticketing fee of $20 per online session and $50 for the face-to-face sessions.
All other Western Australian industry delegates are welcome with a ticketing fee of $50 per online session and $100 for the face-to-face sessions.
Accommodation
Special discount accommodation rate for delegates at the Pagoda Resort and Spa will be available (please advise the Pagoda when booking).
Enquiries
Direct any enquiries about participation in the event to the workshops’ coordinator: Alison Lacey, GGA Project Manager, 0429 084 421, alacey@gga.org.au
The Hub is not currently hosting events.
Drought Proofing Roadshow – Kojonup
Date and time: 27 March 2025 | 8:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Kojonup Sporting Complex
Hosts: Southern Dirt
Join us for an unmissable opportunity to gain insights on how to protect your land, livestock, and livelihood in these challenging times. Take this chance to hear from leading industry experts as they share practical, actionable solutions for drought resilience. Whether you’re managing dry conditions, navigating uncertain seasons, or preparing for the future, this is the event you can’t afford to miss!
This event is a golden opportunity to diversify your perspectives, connect with top researchers, and explore the best strategies for building drought resilience in WA’s drylands.
Don’t miss out—protect your future and build resilience!
For enquiries or more information, contact Sheridan Kowald at eo@southerndirt.com.au or call 0455581729
Water management for pigs and poultry
Regional workshops for owners, managers and staff of pork and poultry enterprises
Pork Innovation WA is holding a series of regional workshops which delve into:
- Access to water in a changing climate
- Practical tips for checking water quality
- Diet implications and impacts of water on performance
- A toolkit of resources on water management
Including keynote speaker Tony Edwards from South Australia, respected national consultant to the pig and poultry industries.
Owners, managers and staff are invited to the workshops 3:30 – 5:30 pm followed by complimentary dinner and drinks.
Albany, Hilton Garden Inn | Monday 31 March
Narrogin, Duke of York Hotel | Tuesday 1 April
Gingin, Gingin Hotel | Thursday 3 April
Mandurah, The Brighton Hotel | Friday 4 April
RSVP’s essential to Pork Innovation WA by Monday 24 March: contact@piwa.com.au.
This project received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Drought Resilience Showcase
The Drought Resilience Showcase, hosted by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, is an exclusive, invitation-only event.
The Showcase will highlight innovative projects from around Australia funded by the Future Drought Fund. These initiatives are designed to enhance drought preparedness and resilience, and are specifically relevant for Western Australia’s agricultural environment.
This unique opportunity will allow attendees to engage directly with key stakeholders, leading researchers, and innovative producers who are driving the future of drought resilience in Australia.
The Showcase will be followed by a sundowner, proudly sponsored by CBH.
Date: 11 December
Location: Bentley Technology Park
For enquiries, please contact our Hub Adoption Manager, Julianne Hill, at swwadroughthub@gga.org.au.
Past Events
Briefing Session on Dry Season Resources
Join Hub Adoption Manager, Julianne Hill, for a one-hour briefing session to (re)familiarise yourself with the Hub’s library of dry season resources.
Date & Time: 23 April 2024 at 11:30 am
Location: online (Zoom)
The session will cover:
- Where to find the new dry season resources.
- What resources are actually available?
- How you might extend these out to your own members should the need arise.
This session is organised by the Grower Group Alliance (GGA) as part of their ‘Extension Fest’ Briefing Series – a new series comprising six key briefing sessions on valuable resources available for GGA member groups to access and extend out to their own member stakeholders.
The Hub’s briefing session on dry season resources is open to everyone.
Dial in on the day using the Zoom link available on the GGA website.
2023 Science to Practice Forum
The forum brings together farmers, researchers, government, industry, and the community to explore innovative tools and practices helping our farmers and regions prepare for future drought.
Hosted by award-winning television journalist and presenter of ABC TV’s Landline, Pip Courtney, the 3-day forum featured engaging discussions with speakers and panel members as well as presentations and video content of Future Drought Fund and Hub-led projects.
Each day of the 2023 forum focussed on a particular theme: research and development, farmers, producers and agricultural advisors, community and policy.
Three WA videos featured during the event included Soil moisture monitoring in WA, Filling feedgaps with saltbush in WA and Wattleseed enterprise in WA
Broader industry events are promoted in the Grower Group Alliance calendar.
