Theme 1: Development of a ‘pathways’ framework
What are we doing for farmers?
Theme 1, led by Katherine Dixon (Nature Positive) and Angela McFetridge (B+LNZ), is focused on identifying a clear vision for a resilient hill country future and developing guidance for farmers on how to work towards this vision at a farm and/or catchment scale. The basis for the vision originates directly from stakeholder consultation delivered through in-depth interviews with farmers and key stakeholders.
The guidance will be presented in the form of a framework that outlines the priority areas that need to be focused on in order to move closer towards the resilient hill country futures vision. This framework has come to be known as the ‘Pathways’ Framework’- a title which recognises the intention of it being used to guide decision making for farmers and catchment groups on their journey towards greater resilience.
Ongoing and planned research:
- Human-centred design concepts will be used to test, refine and validate the concept vision (developed from the interview work described above) with key stakeholders.
- Financial and non-financial metrics will be identified and then used in the development of the ‘pathways’ framework.
- The best pathways to achieve the resilient and sustainable Hill Country Futures vision will be identified. At each step of the process, validation of the results and key insights will take place.
- Strong partnerships (e.g. single innovating farmer, catchment groups, farmer led networks) that can promote the uptake of the ‘pathways’ framework will be formed through targeted engagements. Partners will test and validate the ‘pathways’ framework and support the roll out and adoption (buy-in) of the framework further afield by other partners/community groups.
- Scarlatti will conduct an analysis of the economic and non-economic benefits/impacts generated by the Hill Country Futures programme.