Grower-first approach delivers that extra 20% in the Isis

A grower-centred, continuous-improvement profitability and productivity strategy, Isis 20:20, was initiated in the Isis District to work on the unique 20% gains for each grower. A grower or person-centred, extension approach was trialled to explore the effect on practice change with results tracked using action-research methodology. Extension personnel were purposefully integrated and coordinated to implement priority, targeted activity as identified by growers. Results included: (a) using a ‘grower-centred’ extension approach enabled extension personnel to know and understand growers’ individual and unique productivity goals that supported increased practice change; (b) there was a higher chance of extension and support personnel knowing about growers implementing practice improvements when there was a working relationship in place; (c) change appeared to occur more often in incremental steps than a major step change and there seemed to be a pattern to these steps; and (d) a grower’s incremental practice improvements could be systematically recorded, measured and reported by extension and support personnel live in the paddock. Results provide support for further exploration of both the relationship between the farming family and extension personnel and the effect on practice change using the continuous practice-improvement continuum. Key words Extension, grower-centred, person-centred, practice change, continuous improvement