There are opportunities to develop new approaches to agricultural education and advisory, according to Gurteen Agricultural College’s new principal Jon Parry.
The Irish Farmers Journal spoke with the former head of dairy knowledge exchange at the AHDB in one of his first public outings in his new role, where he explained the similarities between the UK and Irish agricultural extension and education models.
“Both countries are looking for improvements in the models which they use, and new methodologies,” said Jon, as he spoke of the need for change.
“They’ve been doing similar approaches with discussion groups and meetings for a number of years now and it’s probably time to refresh that,” he explains.
Opportunities
Jon explains that there are new opportunities for creative thinking for teaching and problem-based learning to help students develop new skills.
Opening this week’s UCD Knowledge Transfer Conference in Teagasc Ashtown, Jon delivered the keynote speech where he encouraged young advisers to get out there and stir things up.
He continued: “Don’t keep repeating the same methodologies and approaches that they may have seen from some of the regional offices.”
He explained that there is nothing wrong with what’s currently happening, but stressed the need to engage a new group of farmers by doing things differently.
Listen to the full interview here
Learning from other industries
Jon was keen to emphasise the benefit of learning from the changes taking place in other industries, in order to help agriculture adapt for the future.
“We shouldn’t be fearful about what’s happening in law or medicine or manufacturing. We can learn from other people’s experiences, they have been through some of these transitions’" Jon explained.
He feels that interacting with other industries is important for broadening agriculture’s horizons and speeding up the sector's own development.
Key plans
When questioned about his plans as principal of Gurteen Agriculture College, he explained the importance of using the farm's resources for learning: “We have a very big commercial farm, [with] 220 milking cows, 450 ewes [and] a big range of tillage.”
The sheep shed is just one of the resources at Gurteen College.
He continued: “One of the challenges is to make sure that we are attracting the students to that very practical-based farm and utilising these resources the best we can.”
However, he also wants to ensure to engage with the wider agricultural community across all of Ireland.
Read more
Changing of the guard at Gurteen College
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There are opportunities to develop new approaches to agricultural education and advisory, according to Gurteen Agricultural College’s new principal Jon Parry.
The Irish Farmers Journal spoke with the former head of dairy knowledge exchange at the AHDB in one of his first public outings in his new role, where he explained the similarities between the UK and Irish agricultural extension and education models.
“Both countries are looking for improvements in the models which they use, and new methodologies,” said Jon, as he spoke of the need for change.
“They’ve been doing similar approaches with discussion groups and meetings for a number of years now and it’s probably time to refresh that,” he explains.
Opportunities
Jon explains that there are new opportunities for creative thinking for teaching and problem-based learning to help students develop new skills.
Opening this week’s UCD Knowledge Transfer Conference in Teagasc Ashtown, Jon delivered the keynote speech where he encouraged young advisers to get out there and stir things up.
He continued: “Don’t keep repeating the same methodologies and approaches that they may have seen from some of the regional offices.”
He explained that there is nothing wrong with what’s currently happening, but stressed the need to engage a new group of farmers by doing things differently.
Listen to the full interview here
Learning from other industries
Jon was keen to emphasise the benefit of learning from the changes taking place in other industries, in order to help agriculture adapt for the future.
“We shouldn’t be fearful about what’s happening in law or medicine or manufacturing. We can learn from other people’s experiences, they have been through some of these transitions’" Jon explained.
He feels that interacting with other industries is important for broadening agriculture’s horizons and speeding up the sector's own development.
Key plans
When questioned about his plans as principal of Gurteen Agriculture College, he explained the importance of using the farm's resources for learning: “We have a very big commercial farm, [with] 220 milking cows, 450 ewes [and] a big range of tillage.”
The sheep shed is just one of the resources at Gurteen College.
He continued: “One of the challenges is to make sure that we are attracting the students to that very practical-based farm and utilising these resources the best we can.”
However, he also wants to ensure to engage with the wider agricultural community across all of Ireland.
Read more
Changing of the guard at Gurteen College
More clarity is needed on Brexit deal says the Ulster Farmers Union
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