The Enhanced Extension for the Australian Tea Tree Industry project is designed to provide an industry-based extension service to tea tree growers, oil producers and service providers to accelerate the adoption of improved production techniques and develop an extension service platform that can endure for industry benefit.
This project will provide experienced extension officers to service tea tree growers and oil producers in Northern New South Wales and North Queensland.  It will communicate findings from recent Australian research, using practical written and visual resources in both printable and electronic formats, to assist producers improve production, profitability and efficiency.  These materials will be developed and extended using existing communications networks, in partnership with the communication team of AgriFutures and with input from industry stakeholders, such as the Australian Tea Tree Industry Association (ATTIA), wherever applicable.
The project will hold orchard walks, field days and conduct demonstrations, using the participatory action research (PAR) model to engage stakeholders, to extend both production system and management strategy knowledge and understanding. A “seeing is believing” extension model will increase grower understanding of “what it means to my production system and business”, leading to improved understanding and greater confidence to adopt new practices. The tea tree industry can achieve this by undertaking activities on commercial properties and conducting PAR activities that draw-upon local grower and service provider experience, engaging this audience in demonstration research throughout the duration of the project. Reduced lag time between research and adoption is achieved when growers/service providers are actively involved in the process.   

An important part of the project will be working with the ATTIA to promote the benefits of tea tree oil to Australian and global consumers and product manufacturers via social media and other platforms to enhance product demand.