Creative Conversations: The Un-Meeting as an Approach to Agricultural Extension Communication

The agricultural industry increasingly faces complex challenges that require diverse stakeholder input, and traditional meeting approaches often limit engagement and perpetuate top-down dynamics that can inhibit effective problem-solving. This article explores the ``un-meeting'' format as an alternative, highlighting its ability to foster inclusive, participant-driven discussions that encourage collaborative brainstorming and actionable outcomes. Based on our experience with a statewide agriculture summit, we discuss the principles underlying un-meetings, the facilitation process, and the practical implications for Extension professionals. Recommendations include the importance of knowledgeable facilitators, a large team for effective management, and limiting session cycles to maintain focus and depth in discussions.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Extension
Published
2026-10-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.66752/1077-5315.5750
Primary Topic
Conferences and Exhibitions Management
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Creative Conversations: The Un-Meeting as an Approach to Agricultural Extension Communication

Jessica R. Spence, Jean A. Parrella, Eric K. Kaufman, Crystal Tyler-Mackey et al.
Journal of Extension
Conferences and Exhibitions Management
article

Creative Conversations: The Un-Meeting as an Approach to Agricultural Extension Communication

Jessica R. Spence, Jean A. Parrella, Eric K. Kaufman, Crystal Tyler-Mackey, Megan Seibel, Benjamin B. Grove, Olamide Olowoyo, Stephanie Zhu, Michael Gutter, Sonika Poudel, Bolane Adebayo
article en

Abstract

The agricultural industry increasingly faces complex challenges that require diverse stakeholder input, and traditional meeting approaches often limit engagement and perpetuate top-down dynamics that can inhibit effective problem-solving. This article explores the ``un-meeting'' format as an alternative, highlighting its ability to foster inclusive, participant-driven discussions that encourage collaborative brainstorming and actionable outcomes. Based on our experience with a statewide agriculture summit, we discuss the principles underlying un-meetings, the facilitation process, and the practical implications for Extension professionals. Recommendations include the importance of knowledgeable facilitators, a large team for effective management, and limiting session cycles to maintain focus and depth in discussions.

Journal of ExtensionVol. 64(2)
Virginia Tech (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Conferences and Exhibitions Management
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