Extension in the information age

Interesting article this weekend on the UC ANR homepage concerning extension in the information age.

http://ucanr.edu/?blogpost=15394&blogasset=52096

More on this at a later date, but this article covers neatly some of the thoughts I've had on how we at UCCE are using the web to extend and enhance our ability to serve. 

It's a little wonkish, so I'll summarize the key takeaways here:

• Knowledge and information is produced and distributed by a network of people, not an individual. I can't any imagine any scientist being very successful in our industry working on his or her own these days, it's a given to bring representatives from all sorts of disciplines into a project, and then growers participate to keep things realistic and practical.  

• Interesting note that partnerships can form across agricultural sectors, I would have to agree.  Information flows pretty readily between our strawberry and caneberry industries, and I like to think that we have a decent connection with the lettuce and cool season vegetable industry.  

• Last but not least, online information technologies can be innovative ways to connect and learn, but will never be a substitute for personal and in-person connections. In my opinion, an Advisor will not thrive simply by writing blogs and posting on social media.  My experience is that these technologies enhance and enrich the work I am doing, but of course will never ever substitute for time in the field with the people we are here to serve.  

Good article, it looks like the research is confirming what we are realizing in the field.