Submission Deadline Extended - January 31st
An event sponsored by the Feed The Future Developing Local Extension Capacity (DLEC) Project and AgReach
IFPRI | Washington D.C. | March 4-5, 2020
The Envisioning the Future of Extension Event hosted by the Feed the Future DLEC project and AgReach will explore the question:
"What will extension look like 10-20 years from now?
Through a Presentation and Panel Discussion, Lightning Talks, and Posters, we will cover:
1. What Won't Change
Farmers will still want information on boosting their productivity and market information, etc.
2. What May Change
Farmer-specific changes like having more marketable surplus, changes in demographics, out-migration, climate change/water conflicts, mechanization, etc.
Extension-specific changes such as big data, certification, regulation, and professionalization; shifts in the overall policy environment; organization and management; and competencies needed to deal with change.
3. What We Expect The Extension Ecosystem To Look Like in The Future
The potential for more private extension actors, more farmer-led entrepreneurship, post-harvest value addition, big data, extension metrics, smartphone penetration, digital tools, etc.
4. What Does Extension & A Future Extension Worker Look Like
Patters around systems, services, etc. Extension worker motivation, accountability, demographics, gender, age, skills, etc.
5. What Are We Already Learning That Relate To That Future?
Current innovations, apps, private sector activity, etc.
6. What Could/Should We Be Doing Today To Enable That Future?
Data and content sharing, planning and delivering extension support services, competencies, coordination mechanisms, systems strengthening and governance in extension, etc.
Abstract Submission
A mix of presenters is sought to enable both (1) innovative approaches in the context of the future of extension that have been put into practice in field contexts,, and (2) research and/or impact evaluations of extension programming, policies, curricula, trainings, and tools in the context of the future of extension. Donors, researchers, practitioners, government/policymakers, and partners working from the country-level are encouraged to submit abstracts.
Presentation Categories
Oral Presentations with Panel Submission - Presenters will speak for 10 minutes each to showcase innovative approaches and/or research findings and then join a panel of four around a central topic. Groupings will be determined based on commonalities among submissions.
Lightning Talks - Five-minute talks showcasing innovative approaches
Poster Presentations - Presenters will prepare and discuss a poster (of no more than 36” by 48”) to showcase
innovative approaches and/or research findings.
Presenters not accepted for oral presentations or lightning talks are encouraged to give a poster presentation.
Abstract Specifications - Formatted as a PDF
1. Title page with: Author name(s), affiliation(s), and contact information (email and phone) for the lead author
2. Preferred submission category - If not accepted for a talk, would you present your work as a poster?
3. Three to five keywords
4. Author bio (100 words or less)
5. Abstract (400 words or less) detailing the innovative approach or research
Submission Procedures
Submit abstracts to AgReach-aces@illinois.edu; a panel of AgReach and DLEC staff will make selections. Submission deadline is January 31, 2020 11:59 PM, CST