Session 5 Summary: 

Welcome to our final virtual session of the Network Challenge! This session focused on how to build, access, and leverage your community and resources to take action on your soil health projects.

💬 “Community is both a feeling and a set of relationships among people – and we continue to form and maintain communities to meet common needs.” – David Chavis & Kien Lee

📌 Key Takeaways

✔️ Your network is a powerful resource – identify the connections you already have and seek out new ones.
✔️ Community engagement builds social capital – the more we connect, the stronger our collective knowledge and impact.
✔️ Action happens through trusted relationships – change spreads through strong networks, not just big influencers.
✔️ Collaboration fuels success – finding the right people to support your journey makes all the difference.

🎤 Guest Speaker: Gordon Alblas

We were joined by OSN Alumni & Dairy Farmer Gordon Alblas, who shared:
✅ His journey in building a Community of Practice (CoP)
✅ How connecting with OSN and fellow farmers shaped his soil health approach
✅ Steps to develop your own learning community and get feedback from peers

🔴 Missed the session? Watch the full recording here:

🔑 Concepts Covered

 

🌍 What is Community?

 

Community is more than just location—it’s about shared experiences, trust, and support. In agriculture, strong communities help us share knowledge, troubleshoot challenges, and push forward soil health innovation.

🔗 Social Capital: The Power of Networks

 

Social capital is the value of social networks—how relationships help us learn, grow, and create change together. The OSN has grown from just 7 farmers in 2017 to over 156 members today—a 2128% increase! This growth highlights how strong, trusted networks amplify impact.

💡 Did you know? Research by Dr. Damon Centola shows that social change happens when at least 25% of a group adopts a new practice. That’s why trusted connections matter more than viral trends when shifting farming norms!

 

🛠️ Community Building Strategies

 

1️⃣ Find common values & purpose – shared goals unite strong communities.
2️⃣ Use storytelling – real experiences make knowledge more relatable.
3️⃣ Create shared experiences – hands-on learning builds trust and connection.
4️⃣ Maximize interactions – more touchpoints strengthen networks.
5️⃣ Enable peer-to-peer learning – support others & seek mentorship.
6️⃣ Leverage existing resources – OSN, OSCIA, EFAO, local groups, and agronomists are all valuable connections.

 

📝 Session Activity: Mapping Your Network

 

Participants identified:
✅ Key OSN members in their region to connect with.
✅ Organizations & groups that could support their project.
✅ Gaps in their network and how to strengthen their resource base.

🔗 Resources & Links

📌 How to Build & Leverage Your Network – Winter Gathering: Learning Innovations Laboratory

📌 Social Contagion Theory & How Ideas Spread – Harvard Business Review

📌 Understanding SMART Goals – A&A Wellness

 

💡 Final Thoughts

Building a successful project, whether in soil health or beyond, isn’t a solo journey. It takes community, collaboration, and shared knowledge. Your next step? Keep growing your network and using your resources!

🌿 Thank you for being part of the 2025 OSN Network Challenge—we can’t wait to see how you put these tools into action! 🚜✨