From legal compliance to knowledge brokerage : how a group of farm advisers developed mediation practices between farmers and regulatory authorities
Blix Germundsson, Lisa and Bååth, Jonas LU
(2026)
In Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
- Abstract
Purpose: This paper investigates how farm advisers can develop their practices beyond facilitating farmers’ legal compliance to mediate between farmers’ and regulatory officials’ knowledge and experience of implementing farm-level legal regulation. Design/methodology/approach: Building on theories of knowledge types and Communities of Practice (CoP), the paper employs a qualitative research design to examine a project aimed at reducing the regulatory burden on farmers, run by advisory organisations in Sweden. Findings: The studied project developed a four-step method for identifying and processing suggestions for simplified farm regulation. Through internal knowledge sharing, integrating external knowledge, negotiating agreements,... (More)
Purpose: This paper investigates how farm advisers can develop their practices beyond facilitating farmers’ legal compliance to mediate between farmers’ and regulatory officials’ knowledge and experience of implementing farm-level legal regulation. Design/methodology/approach: Building on theories of knowledge types and Communities of Practice (CoP), the paper employs a qualitative research design to examine a project aimed at reducing the regulatory burden on farmers, run by advisory organisations in Sweden. Findings: The studied project developed a four-step method for identifying and processing suggestions for simplified farm regulation. Through internal knowledge sharing, integrating external knowledge, negotiating agreements, developing work models and using their own creativity, they produced and presented proposals to regulatory authorities. Practical implications: The study provides a framework for supporting farm advisers in developing their practices by serving as mediators between farmers and regulatory authorities. Implications for policymakers relate to formulating new legislation and updating existing legislation. Theoretical implications: The paper refines the understanding of how farm advisers can develop their practices of mediation and knowledge brokerage through CoPs. Originality: The paper addresses a key aspect of advisory work–knowledge brokerage–and highlights a new role for advisers as mediators of the knowledge regarding farm-level regulatory issues held by farmers and authorities.
(Less)
- author
- Blix Germundsson, Lisa
and Bååth, Jonas
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- epub
- subject
- keywords
- agricultural extension, agricultural regulation, bureaucracy, Community of Practice, farm advisor, Farm regulation
- in
- Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105033989268
- ISSN
- 1389-224X
- DOI
- 10.1080/1389224X.2026.2648189
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 1b0faa28-cf89-4f5e-8c0f-20b448de9252
- date added to LUP
- 2026-06-10 09:10:06
- date last changed
- 2026-06-10 09:10:48
@article{1b0faa28-cf89-4f5e-8c0f-20b448de9252,
abstract = {{<p>Purpose: This paper investigates how farm advisers can develop their practices beyond facilitating farmers’ legal compliance to mediate between farmers’ and regulatory officials’ knowledge and experience of implementing farm-level legal regulation. Design/methodology/approach: Building on theories of knowledge types and Communities of Practice (CoP), the paper employs a qualitative research design to examine a project aimed at reducing the regulatory burden on farmers, run by advisory organisations in Sweden. Findings: The studied project developed a four-step method for identifying and processing suggestions for simplified farm regulation. Through internal knowledge sharing, integrating external knowledge, negotiating agreements, developing work models and using their own creativity, they produced and presented proposals to regulatory authorities. Practical implications: The study provides a framework for supporting farm advisers in developing their practices by serving as mediators between farmers and regulatory authorities. Implications for policymakers relate to formulating new legislation and updating existing legislation. Theoretical implications: The paper refines the understanding of how farm advisers can develop their practices of mediation and knowledge brokerage through CoPs. Originality: The paper addresses a key aspect of advisory work–knowledge brokerage–and highlights a new role for advisers as mediators of the knowledge regarding farm-level regulatory issues held by farmers and authorities.</p>}},
author = {{Blix Germundsson, Lisa and Bååth, Jonas}},
issn = {{1389-224X}},
keywords = {{agricultural extension; agricultural regulation; bureaucracy; Community of Practice; farm advisor; Farm regulation}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
series = {{Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension}},
title = {{From legal compliance to knowledge brokerage : how a group of farm advisers developed mediation practices between farmers and regulatory authorities}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2026.2648189}},
doi = {{10.1080/1389224X.2026.2648189}},
year = {{2026}},
}