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NETWORKING
Ardita Doko

2. INDEX Networking Agricultural Networks Instruction Guide
Getting your network started
Planning your program
Surveying Farmers
Choosing an Organizational Structure
Communicating with your Network
Facilitating Network Meetings
Maintaining your network

3. INTRODUCTION
Whether they are companies or public agencies, individual organisations are finding that the only way to content the changing demands and expectations of customers and people is to be embedded in networks of organisations able to bring together different products, services, assets and skills in flexible arrangements and deliver them at the moment and place they are most needed.
In recent years networks have become a major focus of attention in science, business, and also in society at large and throughout a newly emerging global culture.

4. TYPES OF NETWORKS
1. INTRODUCTION
According to Hawess there are many types of networks commonly found in the business world, including:
Voice
Financial
Supply
Transportation
Retail
Service
Content
Social

5. AGRICULTURAL NETWORKS
“In an ideal world, agricultural development networks would not be necessary. Individuals and organisations involved in similar areas of farming, research, development, training, extension and infrastructural support would be well linked”(Starkey,1992).

6. An agricultural network—sometimes called a
 discussion group, gathering, or conference—is a way for farmers to exchange information, socialize, learn, and connect with peers on a regular, on-going basis.
A network is any group of individuals or organisations that, on a voluntary basis, exchange information or assume joint activities in such a way that their individual autonomy is strengthened by the interactive process of networking.

7. FEATURES OF A NETWORK Objectives Structure Linkages Participation
Resources
Legitimacy
Monitoring and Evaluation

8. INSTRUCTION GUIDE
The instruction guide is organized around seven topics, designed to help you establish, promote, and manage a successful farmer network:
Getting Your Network Started 

Planning Your Program 

Surveying Farmers 

Choosing an Organizational Structure 

Communicating with Your Network 

Facilitating Network Meetings 

Maintaining Your Network 


9. GETTING YOUR NETWORK STARTED
Identify your target audience
Create a mission statement
Set the geographic area of the network
Recruit members
Develop a strategy for maintaining members

10. PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM Skill-building sessions
Production classes or workshops
Marketing/business classes or workshops
Discussions
Annual meetings

11. SURVEYING FARMERS
Surveys are a useful tool for gathering information on how to structure your farmer network and evaluating its progress.
Surveys can capture specific types of information, such as:
Best times/days of the week for people to meet 

Frequency with which people would like to meet
Topics people would like covered during meetings 

Skills or information learned during trainings 

Business relationships that develop out of the network

12. CHOOSING AN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Organizational structures have three core elements:
Type of governance.
Rules by which the organization operates.
Distribution of work.

13. COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR NETWORK
Use multiple communication tools to share information with your network members:
Mailings
Phone calls
Listservs
newsletters
Social media

14. FACILITATING NETWORK MEETINGS
As a facilitator organizing a meeting, consider three important details:
Environment
Meeting logistics
Ground rules
Common meeting places
Running meetings
Evaluating your network’s success

15. MAINTAINING YOUR NETWORK
Training members to become network leaders. 

Funding for networks:
-Grants
-Membership Dues
-Class Fees
-Sponsorships
-Donations

16. Boosting Adult System Education In Agriculture – AGRI BASE
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