What does it take to move beyond traditional lectures and deliver training that builds practical, real-world skills?

In the Season 3 premiere of The Extensionists, hosts Jay Whetter and Toban Dyck kick off a new season focused on bridging the gap between research and practical application through effective knowledge transfer, translation, and communications.

Joining the conversation are Darren Hebert, president and founder, and Sean Mitchell, program manager, from the Natural Resources Training Group (NRTG). While NRTG works primarily in the natural sciences and alongside Indigenous communities across Canada, their hands-on teaching philosophy directly aligns with the core goals of agricultural extension.

From closing the practical skill gap to building confidence through optimism and hope, this episode offers a deep dive into how knowledge successfully transforms from instruction into actionable results in the field.

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The Extensionists - Conversations with Great Thinkers in Agriculture is a Burr Forest Group production with new episodes airing every other week on Tuesdays. Hosts Toban Dyck and Jay Whetter have in-depth conversations with industry experts, researchers, innovators, and farmers about the latest developments in agriculture and their implications. With a focus on making complex agricultural topics accessible and engaging, The Extensionists bridges the gap between research and farming by connecting the agricultural community to great ideas and thinkers.

The Extensionists is produced and edited by Kelvin Dalke with support from Abby Wall, researched by Ashley Robinson, and marketed by Michelle McMullen.

If you could condense a full season of expert insights into the handful of skills that truly move the needle in agricultural extension, what would they be?

In this Power 10 Summer Special, hosts Toban Dyck and Jay Whetter take a broader perspective to synthesize the most impactful, counter-intuitive, and practical lessons from Season 2 of The Extensionists. We’re moving past the industry chatter to uncover the core strategies that actually drive behaviour change and long-term honing your skills or craft in the field.

In this episode, we aren't just recapping—we’re analyzing the patterns. We discuss why the industry often prioritizes "science" over "people," how to shift from transactional collaboration to resilient knowledge networks, and why the most powerful tool in your kit isn't a slide deck—it’s the ability to validate, listen, and tell a better story.

Whether you missed an episode earlier this season or are catching up on your summertime listening, this synthesis is the perfect refresher on the strategies that work for your work in agricultural communication.

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Don’t miss a conversation: Subscribe to The Extensionists on YouTube and hit the bell icon to get notified when Season 3 drops. We’re coming back with new stories, new insights, and an even sharper focus on the people behind the science.

Website: https://theextensionists.com

X: https://x.com/thextensionists

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104093329/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563563092114

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theextensionists/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheExtensionists

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theextensionists

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theextensionists.bsky.social

The Extensionists - Conversations with Great Thinkers in Agriculture is a Burr Forest Group production with new episodes airing every other week on Tuesdays. Hosts Toban Dyck and Jay Whetter have in-depth conversations with industry experts, researchers, innovators, and farmers about the latest developments in agriculture and their implications. With a focus on making complex agricultural topics accessible and engaging, The Extensionists bridges the gap between research and farming by connecting the agricultural community to great ideas and thinkers.

The Extensionists is produced and edited by Abby Wall, researched by Ashley Robinson, and marketed by Michelle McMullen.

What if you could turn every stressful conflict into a moment of growth instead of dread?

In this Season 2 finale of The Extensionists, we sit down with Rachelle Brockman, principal of Eureka Experience, to explore how to master conflict as a learnable skill. Rachelle dives into how understanding different personality types—including Myers-Briggs communication styles—can fundamentally change how you handle a challenging situation.

Whether you are managing complex business operations or family dynamics, Rachelle shares practical advice on how to stay assertive, clear, and empathetic when the pressure is on.

From the power of the "30-second conversation" to her philosophy on being a "practitioner" of leadership communication, this episode is a masterclass in effective interaction.

Join hosts Jay Whetter and Toban Dyck as they wrap up another year of exploring how knowledge moves from research to real-world impact.

Website: https://theextensionists.com

X: https://x.com/thextensionists

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104093329/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563563092114

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theextensionists/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheExtensionists

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theextensionists

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theextensionists.bsky.social

The Extensionists - Conversations with Great Thinkers in Agriculture is a Burr Forest Group production with new episodes airing every other week on Tuesdays. Hosts Toban Dyck and Jay Whetter have in-depth conversations with industry experts, researchers, innovators, and farmers about the latest developments in agriculture and their implications. With a focus on making complex agricultural topics accessible and engaging, The Extensionists bridges the gap between research and farming by connecting the agricultural community to great ideas and thinkers.

The Extensionists is produced and edited by Abby Wall, researched by Ashley Robinson, and marketed by Michelle McMullen.