ABSTRACT

Purpose: Knowledge exchange networks are critical to farmer success and help reduce barriers to entry and growth for new farmers. This study explores informal and formal knowledge exchange networks among two growing industries in Maine: maple syrup production and beekeeping. We increase understanding of the mechanisms through which knowledge exchange occurs by applying adult learning theory.

Design/Methodology/Approach: We conducted 46 semi-structured interviews with small- and medium-sized maple syrup producers and beekeepers in Maine.

Findings: Maple producers and beekeepers relied on both informal and formal knowledge exchange facilitated by producer associations where the following adult learning theory principles flourished: (1) orientation to learning, (2) prior experience of the learner, and (3) self-concept of the learner. These maple producers and beekeepers also found great value in the community and friendships created through these networks fostering greater expansion within each industry.

Practical Implications: Agricultural extension should institute instructional design that features demonstrations, experiential learning, and sharing of fellow producer experiences to help bolster adult learning theory principles.

Theoretical Implications: Adult learning theory provides a useful framework in which to explore learning and knowledge exchange among distinct agricultural production practices to help inform future education and training initiatives.

Originality/Value: This study is the first to comparatively and specifically examine knowledge exchange among maple producers and beekeepers with application of adult learning theory. This study provides a framework in which to evaluate knowledge exchange among other farming enterprises within an agricultural context to identify effective, meaningful learning mechanisms.

摘要

目的：知识交流网络对于农民成功至关重要，并有助于减少新农民进入和成长的障碍。这项研究探索了缅因州两个正在发展的行业之间的非正式和正式知识交流网络：枫糖浆生产和养蜂业。我们通过应用成人学习理论来增加对知识交流发生机制的理解。

设计/方法/方法：我们对缅因州的中小型枫糖浆生产商和养蜂人进行了46次半结构化访谈。

调查结果：枫树的生产者和养蜂人都依赖于生产者协会促进的非正式和正式知识交流，在这些协会中，以下成人学习理论的原则蓬勃发展：（1）学习的方向；（2）学习者的先前经验；（3）自我概念学习者的。这些枫树生产者和养蜂人也从社区中发现了巨大的价值，通过这些网络建立的友谊促进了每个行业的更大发展。

实际意义：农业推广应建立具有示范性，体验性学习和分享生产者同伴经验的教学设计，以帮助巩固成人学习理论原则。

理论意义：成人学习理论提供了一个有用的框架，可以在其中探索不同农业生产实践之间的学习和知识交流，以帮助为未来的教育和培训计划提供信息。

独创性/价值：该研究是首次应用成人学习理论来比较和具体地检验枫树生产者和养蜂人之间的知识交流。这项研究提供了一个框架，在该框架中可以评估农业背景下其他农业企业之间的知识交流，从而确定有效的，有意义的学习机制。