New study: Knowledge co-production means better outcomes for growers and scientists
The most effective extension involves frequent engagement, casual meetings, and coproduced knowledge
We observed, documented, and critically reviewed scientist-grower interactions in several types of meetings and spaces related to a multidecadal water conflict. Repetitive, semiformal meetings organized and led by growers facilitated knowledge exchange, co-production, and social learning. The problem is that scientists often appeared uncomfortable in grower-controlled spaces because of widespread adoption of the deficit model of scientific literacy and objectivity. This study offers practical recommendations for building better extension and social learning spaces as well as highlight the need to better prepare environmental and extension scientists for engaging in agribusiness spaces.