The primary methodology for this research involved establishing and running an online Net-Zero Beef Farming Forum. Our online Farming Forum was an innovative and hybrid form of demographic engagement taking elements of the Citizens’ Jury approach and other deliberative methodologies to establish a unique and bespoke method for engaging underrepresented farming communities in the Ruby Country and for facilitating the development and delivery of its Net-Zero Beef Roadmap.
The Forum Process
The Farming Forum process was entirely online. There was no requirement for any of the Forum members, the expert witnesses, the project partners and Forum facilitators to, at any point, meet in person face-to-face. The process used the Zoom online meeting app but there was no requirement for Forum members to have any prior experience of using Zoom as training was given in advance of the first forum session.
The Forum convened for 6 sessions over a 6-week period beginning the week commencing the 20th April 2021.