The social dimensions of on-farm change to improve water quality and biodiversity. A report prepared for Dairy Australia

Abstract

Natural resource management issues such as water quality and biodiversity have come to the fore in the Australian dairy industry. A number of projects have been initiated that aim to facilitate on-farm change for improved environmental outcomes. Dairy Australia, the organisation responsible for national dairy industry research and development, recognised that it was important to develop an understanding of the social aspects of the on-farm change process in order to unlock some of the constraints to change in the context of natural resource management issues. This paper outlines the findings of a Dairy Australia funded research project that explored the social dimensions of farm management change for improved environmental outcomes. A diagnostic framework outlining five social dimensions was developed and this framework provides a practical checklist that can be used in the development, implementation and evaluation of projects that seek to facilitate improved natural resource management on farm.The paper identifies the most appropriate methods to explore the social dimensions of the on-farm change process.