The farmer - dominant study group A practical paradigm in international extension strategy

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Peer recognition of outstanding achievement towards UK agricultural progress

This Paper traces the history since its 1970 launch, operation and impacts of the scheme for peer recognition of outstanding contributions to agricultural progress within the UK. The Council for Awards (CARAS) is sponsored by the four national Royal Agricultural Societies (RAS) of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland andWales. CARAS awards Associateships (ARAgS) and Fellowships (FRAgS), under a Constitution reframed in 1984, revised in 1990. Potential Associates are invited to apply by National Panels in the four nations and required to provide a submission of their work to date, with two existing Fellows (FRAgS) to provide sponsor letters. Subject to satisfactory submission and sponsors’ letters, two Assessors are appointed from among existing Fellows to meet each candidate. The Assessors’ joint Report is then considered by a Moderator’s Panel of CARAS, which approves Associateships (ARAgS). Advancements to Fellowship (FRAgS) are conditional upon further outstanding contributions to UK agricultural progress based on citations to CARAS. The Paper reviews diverse benefits hypothesised for those thus recognised and some collective activities of members. It seeks to evaluate the impact of these awards in motivating excellence for UK agricultural progress and public benefit by analysis of responses from almost 600 recipients of the awards

NPR - MANAGING PROGRESS THROUGH FARMER NETWORKS: EXMOOR HILL FARMING NETWORK, UK

The nature and development of Farming Networks is briefly reviewed giving consideration to their pros and cons. Their role in enabling farmers to deliver wider Ecosystem Security on a landscape scale for public benefit and due reward is proposed. Ecosystem Security includes food, water, energy, carbon capture, landscape maintenance, farm livelihoods, and ultimately the stability of Society. The paper indicates substantial advantages through Farming Networks for improving farm management on each participant holding. The case of the Exmoor Hill Farming Network (EHFN) is considered from its history through its precursor organisation, The Exmoor Hill Farm Project (EHFP), and its subsequent range of activities. These have included significant formation of various Farmer Groups within EHFN. Farmer perceptions of the value of EHFN are reported together with recommendations for future activities. The possible Constitution and practice of EHFN is given brief consideration. The use of Farming Networks in strategic management is advocated for international implementation. It is stressed that such Farming Networks must be voluntarily embraced and run by farmers themselves, rather than imposed by other agencies for their convenience or in any way to erode farmer sovereignty in the management of farming