Under level one COVID-19 restrictions, Beef + Lamb New Zealand can resume face-to-face activities such as field days, workshops and seminars – but online events will continue.
B+LNZ’s General Manager South Island John Ladley, says the regional teams will be working with their Farmer Council and respective Farming for Profit committees and facilitators to put extension programmes together, but these will be undertaken within the guidelines developed by B+LNZ.
“Our first priority is the health and safety of our staff, our farmers and rural communities so while we are all looking forward to getting together in person, extra care will be needed around registrations and personal hygiene.”
John says a number of online events have already been planned or in the planning process and these will go ahead.
“These forums have proved very popular as an easy way for farmers to access information and subject matter experts within the comfort of their home.”
He says they have learnt a lot over lockdown about being effective with online extension delivery.
“We are wanting to take what we have learnt and continue to apply this in the future. The feedback that we have had from farmers that have participated in the numerous online events delivered has also been encouraging.”
“While we see the importance of face-to-face activity, we see the future of extension delivery being a hybrid model incorporating online and face-to-face to activity.”
John says this model gives farmers more options when it comes to participating in B+LNZ events and extends the organisation’s reach to those who may not normally attend field days or workshops.
John encourages farmers to keep a close eye e-diary and on the events section on the B+LNZ website for future events and activities.
B+LNZ events can be found here: https://beeflambnz.com/events