Abstract
In 1901, Ireland had the largest publicly funded professional extension service – agricultural scientists helping farmers to farm better – relatively, in the world. Utilising a wide range of historical sources and contemporary data, this paper provides a snapshot of the education and work of Irish advisors and their extension activities then and now. It identifies what has changed and what has not, showing key influences on Ireland’s current advisory services. Education for advisors 100 years ago was characterised by gender segregation, with less capacity and diversity. Continuity in the work of advisors then and now is shown in a maintained focus on on-farm demonstration and the translation of scientific knowledge. Change is shown in the reduced but equal participation of women; less mobility but larger numbers of advisors; less in-person contact with farmers; more administration; and a bigger focus on facilitation, financial management, innovation brokering and contemporary issues like climate change. The foundational principles and practices of Ireland’s agricultural advisory services were grounded in working closely with farmers. These principles and practices are consistent with contemporary good practice and have maintained the relevance and strength of the services in the current Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems, notwithstanding contemporary challenges. Contemporary scholarship of agricultural extension is enriched by an historical lens which establishes and analyses the basis of successful advisory services and the features – judged as negative or positive depending on the current state-of-the-art – that have been gained or lost. The education and work of Irish advisors in the early 1900s has never been compared comprehensively with the education and work of their modern counterparts. In 1901, the Irish advisory service represented a significant experiment, and this paper assesses it and sets out what lessons can be learned.
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Recommended Citation
Ó Fathartaigh, Mícheál; Macken-Walsh, Áine; and Gorman, Monica
(2025)
"Agricultural Extension in Ireland: A Century of Continuity and Change,"
European Journal of Food Drink and Society:
Vol. 5:
Iss.
1, Article 8.
Available at:
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ejfds/vol5/iss1/8