Agricultural extension services in the USA, in Italy and in Europe: differences, similarities and future perspectives
The “Agricultural extension services in the USA, in Italy and in Europe: differences, similarities and future perspectives” workshop is scheduled for May 20, 2026 (h 16:00 - 18:30).
Participants can attend in person (Room 3, Sant'Anna headquarters) after registering using this form.
It is also possible to join remotely by registering here to receive the webinar link.
This workshop offers an international overview of agricultural extension services, exploring how advisory systems, knowledge transfer, and innovation can support farmers, rural communities, and agri-food businesses in adapting to changing economic, environmental, and technological challenges.
The session will compare the models developed in the United States, where Cooperative Extension Services have a long tradition of linking universities, research institutions and local communities, with the more diverse systems operating in Italy and across Europe, where advisory services often involve private consultants, public institutions, producer organisations, and regional networks.
Particular attention will be given to the strengths and challenges of each approach: farmer education, innovation adoption, sustainability practices, youth leadership development, digital agriculture and the role of public-private collaboration. Through this comparison, participants will gain a clearer understanding of how extension systems can evolve better to serve agriculture in a rapidly changing global context.
Speakers:
Suzanna Windon, PhD - Associate Professor of Youth and Adult Leadership at the Pennsylvania State University
Giovanni Pecchioni, PhD - Agronomist, Board Member of ORDAF Liguria
Bios of the speakers:
Dr. Suzanna Windon is an Associate Professor of Youth and Adult Leadership in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education at Pennsylvania State University. Her extension and applied research program develop evidence-informed leadership strategies to address key challenges facing Pennsylvania stakeholders. She serves as Project Director for AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians and the AgWorks workforce development initiative, leading efforts to strengthen farm viability, workforce capacity, and farmers’ quality of life.
Dr. Giovanni Pecchioni is a freelance agronomic advisor. His education and research background are mainly focused on agronomy (field crops, fruit crops mainly olives, horticulture) and sustainable agriculture, with a PhD in agroforestry systems from the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies. He worked on research projects on IPM, AKIS and digitalization in the past years with the Group of Agroecology of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, focusing on the innovation transfer to farmers and technicians and the pesticide reduction in agriculture. He is currently a Counsellor of his regional professional organization for agronomists and foresters (Ordine Regionale dei Dottori Agronomi e dei Dottori Forestali della Liguria).
Target audience:
The workshop is intended for agronomists, foresters, researchers, professionals, policy makers, students, and all those interested in agricultural innovation, rural development, and international cooperation.
Italian agronomists and foresters will be awarded continuing professional development credits (CPD) in accordance with the national regulations governing continuing professional development.