From legal compliance to knowledge brokerage: how a group of farm advisers developed mediation practices between farmers and regulatory authorities

Blix Germundsson, Lisa; Baath, Jonas

doi:10.1080/1389224X.2026.2648189

Abstract

PurposeThis 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/approachBuilding 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.FindingsThe 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 implicationsThe 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 implicationsThe paper refines the understanding of how farm advisers can develop their practices of mediation and knowledge brokerage through CoPs.OriginalityThe 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.

Keywords

Farm regulation; agricultural regulation; bureaucracy; Community of Practice; agricultural extension; farm advisor

Published in

Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
2026
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR AND FRANCIS LTD

SLU Authors

Blix Germundsson, Lisa
- Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Bååth, Jonas
- Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Lund University

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Economics and Management and Rural development
Business Administration

Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2026.2648189

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/146729