Extension 350 - Final Programme Report
This final report for the Extension 350 programme summarizes the results and benefits of the programme across a number of key performance measures.
Extension 350 is a programme that was designed to help our Taitokerau Northland farmers succeed, not just with a healthier bottom line, but with a healthier environment and farming community too.
This project - which was completed in 2022 - was designed as a long-term, farmer led and farmer focused agricultural extension project that operates primarily in Taitokerau Northland, but also in parts of Auckland. The original goal of the project was to engage meaningfully to affect change with 350 farmers across the lifetime of the project. To date, the project has reached over 380 farmers, of which 108 of these are directly involved in affecting change on their farms.
Extension 350 was launched in 2016 and completed in 2022. It was led by Taitokerau Northland farmers who we knew were doing great things, but with room to improve. It was based on the premise that when you’re focussed on the day-to-day running of your business, it can be hard to see the bigger picture, get new ideas and have the confidence to implement them. The project looked to improve the resiliency of the farms involved by supporting them to affect positive change across three key aspects of their business, increasing farm profitability, increasing environmental sustainability and improving farmer wellbeing.
The project achieved this through a cluster model, with each cluster made up of a number of target teams. An agri-consultant worked closely with the target and mentor farmers of each target team and the learnings were passed on to associate farmers at meetings throughout the year and via online farmer reporting.
The result was Taitokerau Northland farmers learning from other experienced Taitokerau Northland farmers, who through this extra support were able to see their business with fresh eyes. Having other farmers and people you trust to challenge your thinking and systems can make all the difference to your farming business.
This final report for the Extension 350 programme summarizes the results and benefits of the programme across a number of key performance measures.
This document is the summative report for the Extension 350 evaluation work undertaken by Scarlatti. The evaluative data collected has been analysed, triangulated and key themes identified in alignment with the evaluation research.
View the Extension 350 Annual Report for the 2021 - 2022 Financial Year.
View the Extension 350 Project Annual Report for the 2020 - 2021 financial year.
"What the Extension 350 program has forced us to do is work as a group, collaboratively. We feel like we’re in it together. Even if you’re not in Extension 350, talk to your neighbours, talk to your friends, read articles, look at B+L websites, etc"
"Having that external input with your blinkers off and a wider view, is really beneficial to us. The project is making us more accountable to our targets and budgets, cashflow, everything. It just makes you more aware of every single decision that you make."
"The farm owners have achieved a great deal during E350; they are more relaxed, enjoying farming and feel confident they can now farm through a downturn without it having a major impact on their lifestyle and farm business. They have made some on-farm management changes, but also in how they view and operate their business, with more confidence in budgeting and planning. They have more time to spend with their children and on off-farm activities."
Northland Inc was responsible for delivering the Extension 350 project which has a number of other partners, including:
Extension 350 extended support during the Covid-19 lockdowns for farmers to continue to learn from other farmers by using digital technology. Let our farmers and farm consultants share the process of making change in their business.
An independent report has found agri-extension and development programme Extension 350 (E350) has been a success in helping Northland farmers reach their goals. The farmer-learning-from-farmer… Read more
Northland farmers have come together to celebrate their stories of change at Extension 350 (E350) recognition dinners held around the region. Recognition events have been held across Kerikeri… Read more
Northland farmers are embracing the digital age as they respond to the dual challenge of the Covid-19 lockdown and the region’s severe drought conditions. Extension 350 (E350), Northland Inc’s… Read more
Northland Inc’s Extension 350 has combined with DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ to provide a reference point for farmers battling to respond to the effects of the worst drought in years. This is being… Read more
Farmers Weekly article ‘ Get Smart ’ by Jenny Ling highlights the very real benefits many farmers are experiencing from being a part of the Extension 350 (E350) project. John and Sarah Hammond have… Read more
Pam Tipa’s interview with Luke Beehre , project lead for Extension 350 , published in Dairy News July 2019, discusses the importance of the dairy farming industry’s need to continuously give thought… Read more