A study of communication between scientists and farmers on the issue of salinity in Harden, New South Wales Kylie Anne Foster A sub-thesis subm itted in partial fulfi lment of the requi rements for the degree of Master Abstract Paramount to improving land management prac~ices and combating environmental crises like salinity in Australia is the smooth communication of scientific research, and opportunities for farmers to contribute their local knowledge . Farmers and scientists can communicate

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... different ways and this study seeks answers to a series of research questions exploring science communication in Australia agriculture, with a specific focus on the topic of salinity. Communication methods can be assessed by directly asking farmers what salinity communications they use and value. This study distributed a postal survey to farmers in the Harden Murrumburrah area of New South Wales: an area known to be contributing salt to major drainage catchments . Observations were also made at Harden Murrumburrah Landcare Group meetings, together with discussions with visiting scientists and the Landcare coordinator. The literature review, postal survey results and observations reveal that farmers highly value face-to-face communication with scientists . Scientists gain scientific credibility and local knowledge from this association also . Landcare provides a format for farmers to communicate with each other, and for scientists to improve their research by gaining valuable input from farmers .