Building strong relationships, sharing practical knowledge and putting producers at the centre of decision making were key themes at the 2026 Reef Extension Think Tank, attended by TNQ Drought Hub Knowledge Broker Karen George. The two-day event brought together 60 extension practitioners from across the Great Barrier Reef catchment to explore new ways of supporting producers through collaboration, knowledge sharing and effective engagement.
Hosted by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries through the Integrated Engagement and Capacity Building project, the Think Tank explored practical approaches to extension, including peer learning, co-design and creating meaningful opportunities for producers to share their knowledge and experiences.
One of the strongest messages to emerge was recognising producers as active contributors to knowledge, rather than simply recipients of information.
“One of the biggest takeaways for me was the reminder that producers are experts in their own businesses,” Karen said. “The best outcomes come when they’re involved in shaping conversations and sharing their experiences, rather than simply being presented with information.”
Participants also highlighted the value of smaller, interactive workshops, field-based learning and peer-to-peer discussions that encourage practical conversations and build trusted relationships. Sessions reinforced the importance of designing activities that focus on what producers can apply in their own businesses, while co-design approaches demonstrated the value of involving stakeholders early to ensure projects reflect local priorities and deliver practical outcomes.
For Karen, the discussions reinforced the importance of collaboration in supporting regional communities.
“The ideas shared at the Think Tank align closely with how we work at the TNQ Drought Hub. Bringing producers, researchers and industry together helps ensure solutions are practical, locally relevant and can make a real difference on farm.”
For Karen, the discussions reinforced the importance of collaboration in supporting regional communities.
“The ideas shared at the Think Tank align closely with how we work at the TNQ Drought Hub. Bringing producers, researchers and industry together helps ensure solutions are practical, locally relevant and can make a real difference on farm.”
She said one of the most valuable reminders was that every farming business is different.
“No two farms or regions are the same, so supporting producers isn’t about providing a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s about creating opportunities for people to learn from one another, share knowledge and make informed decisions that suit their own circumstances.”
The insights gained from the Think Tank will help inform the TNQ Drought Hub’s ongoing work to strengthen collaboration, knowledge exchange and practical decision making that supports producers preparing for future drought and climate variability.
