We’ve known all along
For over a century, agricultural extension has been the invisible force ensuring that research and new technology makes its way into the hands of farmers working with them to adapt to an ever-changing landscape.
It has served as the crucial bridge between scientific discovery and practical application.
Without it, access to advancements in crop and livestock management, pest control, and soil health would be severely limited. The result? Productivity decline, faltering sustainability efforts, and farmers left without the tools to navigate changing climates and market demands.
Beyond production challenges, the economic consequences are real. Extension also provides farmers with cost-effective, research-backed strategies that help keep their operations profitable. Small and mid-sized farms, already operating on tight margins, often rely on this support to stay connected and competitive.
Yet, despite its undeniable value, the extension sector is currently facing challenges in attracting, developing, and retaining the skilled workforce necessary for the future. According to a recent Agrifutures gap analysis of extension in Australia, our extension workforce is stretched thin, navigating impractical funding models, fragmented efforts, and diminishing government support.
Professional development opportunities for extension practitioners are ad hoc and limited, making attraction and retention difficult. Without investment in the people behind the system, we risk losing this vital soft infrastructure that supports food production, environmental stewardship, and rural communities.
Extension is often unseen, but its impact is undeniable. These ‘social workers of the paddock’ operate behind the scenes, providing the critical ‘how’ to a farmer’s ‘why.’ They understand that farmers are people just like you and I, who are often isolated in their pursuit to put quality food on our tables. They build relationships, educate, persuade, demonstrate, do the numbers, look over the fence and facilitate change— all with the goal to assist farmers thrive and reach theirs.
But extension is more than just a technical resource; it fosters community, knowledge-sharing, and resilience. It provides farmers with a support network where they can learn from experts and peers, creating stronger rural economies. Without it, agriculture becomes more isolated, and rural communities lose access to vital education and workforce development.
It’s simple: without extension, agriculture would be at a severe disadvantage. The sector must recognise and defend the role of extension practitioners to ensure a stable, sustainable, and prosperous food system. This is not a new revelation—it’s what we’ve known all along. And now, it’s time to act on it.
