|
1
| 2 | 3 | 4
| 5 | 6 | 7
| 8 | 9 | 10
| 11 | 12 |
13 | 14 | 15
| 16 | 17 |
18 | 19 | 20
| 21 | 22
Whole Systems
Thinking On the Farm |
21
On June 1, 2004 several BASIC growers and UCCE Farm Advisors
gathered at the Firebaugh-Mendota Methodist Church to meet
with Ray William, an Extension Weed Ecologist from Oregon
State University. Ray presented a workshop titled “Whole
System Thinking – Getting a Handle on the Complexity
of Farming.” UC IPM Entomologist Pete Goodell with
the statewide IPM Program was the main sponsor of the workshop.
Farmers and Farm Advisors worked together
in groups and designed a system for growing cotton. Each
group’s work was unique and reflected the complexity
of the farming enterprise.
By taking a closer look at the entire system, new insights
and approaches can be discovered. Ray’s goal
as an educator has been to look at how people learn, how
to increase the involvement by farmers and pest control
advisors in the learning process and how to modify Extension
programs to improve problem-solving in times of rapid change.
The group’s differences and creativity
became apparent when they drew out their systems on paper,
analyzed the relationships involved and then looked for
ways to leverage the system. Ray refers to leverage as those
parts of the system that seem to create
the greatest impact within the system, either positive or
negative.
The meeting was positive and stimulating,
encouraging new ways of looking at farming and marketing.
It promoted new ideas and approaches among team members.
Because the groups were looking at real life scenarios,
the impacts, outcomes and consequences generated can go
to work directly on the farm.
If you would like more information
on Ray’s work, please contact Pete Goodell at 559–
646-6515.
back
to top
next article
|
