A systems approach to understanding the connection between farm systems resilience and pasture resilience

Abstract

Farm systems resilience in New Zealand pasture-based farming is influenced by external drivers such as environmental regulation, and internal drivers such as existence, expressed as profitability. We examine ten published case studies of farm systems change to provide insight into management interventions to these drivers and their impacts on pasture resilience. Nutrient supply was key to increasing pasture longevity, water use efficiency and animal feed supply. Manipulating water use efficiency through irrigation and legume (predominantly lucerne) use increased nitrogen use efficiency and added pasture supply for animal consumption. Monitoring the pasture supply and animal response ensured both animal feed requirements and pasture conditions for future growth were met. Theresilience of pastures was improved when monitoring guided adaptive management application to ensure whole-farm resilience.

Are Contemporary Concepts of Leadership Relevant to Christian Ministers in UK Baptist Churches?

“…This model also reminds us that, even in the most mature congregations, this relational dynamic shifts back to the initial Forming stage as members leave and join the congregation, as can be observed in practice (see Stevens & Collins, 1993).…”

“…However, modern leadership theory already challenges the effectiveness of many of these otherwise well-established patterns of hierarchical leadership (Stevens & Collins, 1993;Kouzes & Posner, 2007;Senge, 1990;Greenleaf, 1998). The contrast in ministerial expectations suggests that there is value in ministers making the effort to identify and un-learn any damaging, inappropriate leadership ideas (Jacobs, 2009), to avoid falling into error.…”

“…12:8). Stevens and Collins (1993) and Pattison (1977) suggest that the management ideas around "systems theory" (see Churchman, 1968;Deming, 1986Deming, , 1994Senge, 1990;Seddon, 2003;Meadows, 2009) aligns with this notion of organic church organization. Pattison (1977) also asserts that interactions between a congregation and its minister can develop and mature over time through the stages of Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing as originally observed in generic teams by Tuckman (1965).…”