Education and Training: Impacts on Farm Management Practice. CRLRA Discussion Paper.

A study examined the relationship between education and training and changes to farm management practices that improve profitability. Data were drawn from a National Australian survey of 2,500 farms and from an interview survey of 65 Tasmanian farms, 45 of which had participated in recent training. Findings indicate that farms that participated in training were more likely to make changes that improved profitability. Education and training impacted the farm business via managers' greater awareness of possible innovations, via improved decision making and allocation of resources, and via attitudes that encourage change. Most changes to practice were influenced by interaction with, and information from, multiple sources, including peers, experts, and training events. Family, staff, and other farmers were relatively more important in prompting change for farm managers with no postsecondary educational qualifications. Expert advisers, other farmers, and training events were major sources of awareness of subsequently implemented strategies and practices, as well as major sources of influence on the decision to change. Interaction with peers, family, and friends facilitated changes in values, attitudes, and beliefs, and may be necessary before change can occur. Education and training influences promoted change by delivering new knowledge and skills and by providing opportunities for interaction with experts and peers. Education and training programs designed to encourage interaction and sharing of knowledge and skills were most likely to facilitate changes in farm businesses, especially to complex practices such as financial and land management. (Contains 41 references.) (TD)