B+LNZ Focus Groups, a new small group learning initiative, is rolling out across the country. Four groups in the Wairarapa and Tararua area recently met to kick off their financial management learning journey.
B+LNZ Focus Groups are small group learning initiatives that focus on a specific area of on-farm business performance. It is a new and exciting addition to B+LNZ’s existing extension programme, providing farmers the opportunity to learn from other farmers in their group alongside subject matter experts. Groups are deliberately kept small to ensure everyone gets a chance to share insights and learn from each other.
Lesley Coppell, B+LNZ Extension Manager for Wairarapa and Tararua, says the region established four groups with topic priorities driven by the Farmer Council as part of the Regional Delivery Plan (RDP) process.
“We have three groups focused on financial management, and one on animal production – this is what our local B+LNZ Farmer Council and farmers told us they were particularly interested in learning and upskilling on.
There are 50 farmers across the four groups, all looking to lift their skills.
All four groups had their introduction meetings to get to know each other, think about their ‘why’ and set their individual objectives as part of the programme.
Lesley highlights the importance of the introductory meetings in building a strong foundation. She says, “One of the critical things to the success of these groups is creating a strong culture of group trust, openness and accountability.”
“In each session, we had these groups thinking about what success would look like and mean to them – both individually and as a group. We also worked through the learning journey – this is farmers’ opportunity to truly put their fingerprints on what we’re going to be working on over the next two years. We are after all ‘By Farmers, For Farmers’ – so we got them asking themselves: what are the things, where are the places, who are the people that are going to help us get the most from the group, identify the opportunities and figure out the application into our own businesses.”
“Feedback has been fantastic! Farmers from the four groups voiced their excitement for the future and what they’re going to be learning. Participants told us that the initial introductory meetings either met or exceeded their expectations when thinking about the value this will add to their farming businesses”.
Lesley notes that her personal aspirations for the groups include participants having the skills and confidence to make key strategic decisions within their business, but more than that – to take these skills back to their communities, discussion groups, neighbours and peers, and be a catalysts for change within the industry at the grass roots. She says, “Lifting overall productivity and profitability where it starts is going to benefit the industry and our economy.”
More about B+LNZ Focus Groups
B+LNZ Focus Groups are the outcome of the key findings from RMPP research. It was found that small group learning, where there was a strong foundation of trust and accountability within the group, provided the best environment for sustained change and uplift in farming businesses. Spread over a period of time to allow for change to be embedded, there is ample opportunities for farmer-to-farmer learning.
Focus Groups have rolled out across all B+LNZ’s regions, and are covering a variety of topics. Chat with your local Extension Manager to find out what’s happening in your region.
Learn more about B+LNZ’s Focus Groups.
Financial Management – Tararua Owners Group
Tararua Owners Group getting to know each other through 'Speed Dating'