Case Study: Soils For Life Peer Learning Networks
Location: Australia
Investment Type: Philanthropic & Public
Peer learning networks are one of the engine rooms of knowledge development, sharing and collaboration. Across Australia, a range of regenerative farming peer learning networks have been growing for some time.
These include the Otway Agroforestry Network, RCS Executive Link, Young Farmers Connect regional chapters, Regrarians, the Regenerative Cane Farming Network, Central Queensland Landscape Alliance, multiple Landcare networks and a range of Holistic Management groups. Soils for Life is one of many undertaking work in this area. The organisation is an independent not-for-profit, that works across Australia to support Australian farmers in regenerating soils and landscapes, building natural and social capital, and transforming food and fibre systems.
Soils for Life has been delivering a peer learning program focused on building farmers’ capacity for soil and landscape monitoring. It is planning to expand this to create a national soil health learning community, made up of a connected set of smaller groups. The goal is to provide opportunities for any farmer around Australia to learn about soil and landscape health with a community of their peers.
The latest iteration (funded out of the Future Drought Fund) involved a peer group of crop growers in South Australia looking to trial more resilient land management practices. The process is farmer-led; they have chosen what to trial and Soils for Life has supported them with access to an agronomist, presentations from experts and, critically, new skills and tools to monitor their progress themselves and adapt their approach.
The key insights from this process are:
- Peer learning is key to building farmer capability, and to sustaining engagement over time.
- Considered and informed facilitation of the groups has been essential because each group has different needs and requires tailored support and capacity building.
- Partnerships with on-ground partners embedded in established local networks (such as local agronomists, Landcare facilitators, etc.) can support informed facilitation by bringing in their deep understanding of these farmers' needs, and expand the reach of the program.
“The level of engagement we have seen is really exciting. These farmers are getting together online, in a group, with an experienced soil scientist/ agronomist, looking at each others’ photos of grasses, root systems and soil structure, reviewing each others' soil test results and discussing what might be going on and how they could improve. This group dynamic is really powerful.”
— Eli Court | Soils for Life