Loss of extension services has led to information bias, and left a hole in rural communities

Brenda Shoepp, in her article published in Alberta Farmer in 2022, emphasizes the important role of agricultural extension services in rural communities across Canada. Extension services serve as a central hub for sharing vital information and resources that help farmers adapt to challenges such as climate change and economic pressures. They foster community resilience by facilitating face-to-face interactions, encouraging idea exchange, and supporting collective problem-solving.

The absence of these services has led to information bias, as farmers increasingly rely on local service providers for advice, which may limit diverse perspectives. The text highlights examples of communities, like  in Alberta, that have sought to fill the gap by establishing their own agricultural hubs, emphasizing hands-on education and skill development for future generations. Extension services also play a crucial role in interpreting complex federal programs and connecting farmers with relevant resources, ensuring that solutions are tailored to local needs. The text advocates for the reinstatement or creation of modern agricultural hubs that incorporate technology and foster collaboration among various stakeholders, ultimately aiming to empower community members and enhance their connection to agriculture.

Read more: Schoepp: Loss of extension services left a hole in rural communities

In a study conducted in Ontario, Chowdhury and Kabir (2024) examined three different perspectives of stakeholders, particularly concerning the declining quality of extension services. Their research identified three distinct stakeholder viewpoints about the current pluralistic extension system in Ontario: (i) a quality-oriented advisory system, (ii) a governance-focused and quality-oriented system, and (iii) a governance, methodology, and quality-oriented system. They reached similar conclusions, emphasizing problems such as information biases, lack of coordination, and challenges related to misinformation.

Read more: How do agricultural advisory services meet the needs of farmers? Applying Q-methodology to assessing multi-stakeholders’ perspectives on the pluralistic advisory system in Ontario, Canada

Photo: EJ_Rodriquez/iStock/Getty, Taken from Alberta Farmer