Can a farmer ever really separate their business decisions from their environment?

In this episode of The Extensionists, hosts Jay Whetter and Toban Dyck are joined by agricultural scientist Laura Underdown. Coming from the United Kingdom, Laura dives into her Nuffield Scholarship research on natural capital, green finance, and why building farm resilience requires looking beyond pure science and economics.

Throughout the conversation, she explores mindset archetypes and explains why understanding different farmer motivations is critical for effective knowledge exchange. Laura discusses how a business-first approach naturally aligns with environmental resilience and lowering input costs. She highlights the vital role of peer-to-peer learning, farmer-led networks, and local proof of concept in driving long-term behavioural change.

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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.

How can we advance national soil health strategies while bridging the gap between growers and researchers to achieve practical results on the farm?

In this episode of The Extensionists, hosts Jay Whetter and Toban Dyck are joined by Susie Miller, executive director of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops and interim executive director of the Soil Conservation Council of Canada. Together, they explore how meaningful engagement with growers increases buy-in and enhances national on-farm sustainability practices.

Drawing on her experience leading the Code of Practice, where consultations with hundreds of farmers reinforced the importance of active listening and avoiding perceived threats, Susie shares how those lessons have impacted her work on the National Soil Health Strategy.

Throughout the conversation, the group discusses navigating data challenges, aligning industry leaders with frontline producers, and transforming research into actionable on farm practices. From addressing regional differences to shaping collaborative initiatives, this episode offers essential insights into the future of sustainable agriculture.

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.

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.

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 Kelvin Dalke with support from Abby Wall, researched by Ashley Robinson, and marketed by Michelle McMullen.