“We learn from suffering together” – this statement of a regional focal point of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) expresses some of the key elements of learning in networks: multi-directional exchange between peers, collaboration based on trust and encouragement, and learning from cases. Networking is challenging and time-consuming, but leads to members’ moments of success, motivation, and finally sustainability. Intangible outputs play thereby an important role. Find below how GFRAS regional focal points and the GFRAS executive secretary experience their networking activities, how they deal with tangibles and intangibles, and what this might mean for networks in general.

Read more at SDC Learning and Networking 

Two recent case studies on some ICTs for agricultural development projects supported through the GSMA Development Fund – mAgri Program reveal an emerging trend within the broader Agricultural Extension Services (AES) and specifically in the developing nations, that worth commenting on. The revealing trend I’ve noticed, is that, either drastic policies and actions be taken to restructure the current  educational systems of agricultural extension agents/officers or nations be prepared to seed-off their agricultural advisory services to the private sector (full privatization).

Full story here

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, 
wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. 
We spend more, but have less,
we buy more, but enjoy less. 
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. 
We have more degrees but less sense,
more knowledge, but less judgment,
more experts, yet more problems,
more medicine, but less wellness. 

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry,
stay up too late, get up too tired, 
read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. 

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. 
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years. 
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. 
We conquered outer space but not inner space. 
We've done larger things, but not better things. 

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. 
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less. 
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. 

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, 
big men and small character, 
steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce,
fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete... 

Remember;
spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. 

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?

George Carlin

Some time ago I stumbled over a little document that lists the 10 most common mistakes non-profit organisations make when putting together communication materials and strategies. It's provided by mission minded, a marketing communication agency for non-profit organisations, and some of the points could also qualify as marketing themselves. But nontheless here's what they say:

"More than a few nonprofit professionals find themselves being thrown into marketing
responsibilities without being formally trained or having much experience or support.
Some are program managers who find themselves responsible for creating their own
communications materials. Some are fundraisers who have a sense that better marketing
could improve their ability to raise funds. They’re right."

Here are the 10 mistakes

1. Thinking that your donors already know everything
   about you
2. Thinking that people read your newsletters to hear what’s
   going on inside your agency
3. Confusing features with benefits
4. Using boring photos
5. Letting the IT department manage web site content
6. Thinking that your annual report is just a financial
   reporting tool
7. Confusing your brand with your logo or your mission
8. Thinking that public relations (“PR”) is a synonym for
   “marketing”
9. Thinking that “everyone” is your audience
10. Thinking that you can’t afford market research

Do you recognise some of them? I surely did.

Full document (pdf, 475KB)

In a recent meeting someone raised the question where "rural" is in the term Rural Advisory Services.What is a rural area and what is not? The first and maybe obvious thing to do is to set rural up against urban: Outside the city is rural. But: This boundary is not - and probably was never - very clear. The growing cities eat up farm land and rural villages preserving sometimes some of the rural aspects, even whole farms. And villages farer out are mostly inhabited by city dweller that are seeking the green countryside but working in the inner city. The whole thing is called metropolitan area. In this area more and more like to grow their own food: family gardens and community farms are on the rise, urban farming is the new slogan.

And this is only the beginning according to some visionaries. How about producing crops and vegetables in large quantities right in the city centre? That's easily done if you build a skyscraper-greenhouse. Its called 'vertical farming' and the concept was brought up by Dickson Despommiers.
The concept postulates the construction of multistory greenhouses placed in a way to catch the most sun light. Mirrors could reflect the light even to inner parts of the building. The farm can produce organically by processing its own compost. The lower and inner parts of the building where the sun does not reach provide space for storage, packaging the harvest or even for first processing steps. It reuses its own waste water and can produce engergy with its excess plant material that is turned into methane.

Science fiction? Maybe. But not entirely new. One of the original Seven World Wonders of the Ancient World were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Find more information at The Vertical Farm Project

Welcome to your personal blog space.

As a registered user you can open here your personal blog space and use to tell others about your  experiences in RAS, share your thoughts about RAS, and post documents or videos. Others can comment your contributions and give you valuable feedback.

The most recent posts from all blogs are combined on the entry page for the blog section as well as in the yellow side box on the frontpage.

I'm looking forward to your stories and ideas.

Lorenz Schwarz
GFRAS