AgriFutures Australia

THE BRIEF

Overall project manager of the three-year Community Trust in Rural Industries (CTRI) Program – a collaborative partnership led by AgriFutures Australia involving 10 Research and Development Corporations (RDCs), the National Farmers Federation (NFF) and NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI). The project was aimed at building the capacity of food and fibre industries to proactively engage with community.
Manage and execute communications and engagement for the project
Examine the issues impacting food and fibre industries and how these industries relate to each other in the minds of community members

THE SOLUTIONS

Project Management including coordination of a working group with 12 program partners and managing the research agency
Communication plan and collateral materials to engage with a cross-section of stakeholders, from farmers through to representative industry bodies and leaders
Stakeholder engagement to develop and deliver the engagement strategy with RDCs, industry and government to build capacity on community trust
Develop extension materials using insights from the community research work and stakeholder workshops/consultations
Work with key stakeholders to disseminate the findings of the research and support stakeholders to deliver actions

THE OUTCOME

Over three years, the program engaged more than 19,000 Australians to gather their views on topics and issues related to rural industries
Significant media coverage with potential audience reach of 10.86M via print, broadcast and online
Delivered more than 30 program partner briefings
Presented at more than 13 industry conferences and meetings to share learnings and insights gained from the research
Generated 80 communication items for the program and its funding partners
Facilitated an industry forum highlighting the research insights, and encouraging industry to consider how the research informs their next steps to address the challenges of community trust and workforce participation.