A Conceptual Model of Agriculture Knowledge Systems

Lubell, M., Niles, M., & Hoffman, M. (2014). Extension 3.0: Managing agricultural knowledge systems in the network age. Society & Natural Resources, 27(10), 1089-1103.

I feel like I found gold when I came across this article. For about a year I've been trying to find information on agriculture extension and it goes to show the power of your search terms. The whole article is worth a read but I thought I would highlight the conceptual model of agriculture knowledge systems. I'm a fan of systems thinking and seeing the knowledge system in this way I keep looking at it trying to find "what's missing" in our Canadian context and with the advent of new technology since it's been written. While I think it can be elaborated on, I'm not seeing any fundamental thing that I would change from either an academic, practitioner or farmer standpoint. I wonder if you could take this model and as a game theory exercise, ask extension agents, farmers, government people to elaborate on where would the capture different tactics, challenges, opportunities etc.

Questions I would ask for this scenario would be:

• Where would you situate input suppliers and equipment dealers in the knowledge network?

• How does policy play a role in the network?

• How can technology influence the network for better or worse?

• What are the mechanisms for quality control?